02/02/2010

Barnsley Acoustic Roots Festival 2010

A week long music and dance festival kicks off the Town’s Spring Season of events and activities from Friday March 12th to Sunday March 21st. International artists will perform alongside local artists, with sessions also extending into a number of schools. There is something for everyone.

Headline acts for the festival are The Eliza Carthy Band (19th), The Demon Barber Roadshow (20th) and Lau (21st), with support being provided by local hero - Dave Burland, exceptional song writer - Jez Lowe, one of the finest acoustic guitar players in the world - Martin Simpson.

The week long event starts on 12th March with a focus on young performers. The Barnsley Guitar & Folk Ensembles will be opening with a festival Ceilidh and opportunities for young performers at Shaw Lane Cricket Club. This will be the eleventh year that this event has taken place – and has often been the stepping stone for young acts in their professional careers.

This will be followed, during the week, by a number of workshops at Kingstone School led by members of the Demon Barbers Roadshow. Support will be provided to young dance teams, which will lead to performances at the weekend.

On Friday 19th March The Civic provides the venue for the headline concert. The Eliza Carthy Band will deliver a stunning set that will capture all with its intelligent and charismatic interpretation of songs old and new. The evening will also see a welcome return to The Civic by local guitar master Dave Burland, who was one of the key figures in promoting regular concerts and festivals at The Civic in the 1980’s. The re-opening of The Civic providing the opportunity, once again, to see top class artists in the town centre.

On Saturday the Festival moves to Kingstone School – with a full programme of concerts, workshops and sing-arounds. Artists are travelling from as far a field as the USA to join us for the weekend, which will see the best of traditional dance and acoustic music.

Stephen Dolman, festival spokesperson, said ‘It is fantastic to have a week long festival back in the town. What’s really great is that so much of the festival will involve young people. Barnsley is in the middle of a major re-generation programme, and bringing culture back to all our lives is a vital element of the programme. Do come and support the festival – enjoy what the best in the world offers and support our own young people’

Tickets for all events are available at The Civic Box Office – 0845 1800 363.
A weekend ticket for all performances from 19th to 21st March costs just £40.00.
Day tickets are available for each of the three days at £15.00

The Festival thanks Arts Council England for its support – without it we would not have been able to support the young people of the town.

Festival Summary

Friday 12th March –   Festival Ceilidh at Shaw Lane Cricket Club
Saturday 13th March –  Young Performers Concert at Shaw Lane Cricket Club
Friday 19th March –   The Eliza Carthy Band, plus support, at The Civic
Saturday 20th March –  Concerts, workshops throughout the day, and The Demon Barbers Roadshow at Kingstone School
Sunday 21st March –   Concerts and workshops throughout the day, and Lau at Kingstone School

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