THURSDAY 17th JULY 2008
ROUNDABOUT PLAYGROUP WORKSHOP with RICHARD BALLINGER
Richard, a teacher, has attended courses on Children's Magic, games, story telling and balloon modelling, and will use magic tricks based upon well-known stories - The Ugly Duckling, Three Bears, Cinderella etc for 2-5 year olds. Comedy magic is used to amuse and also to teach the children interactive skills.
Roundabout Playschool Children Only
Sponsored by Asda Stores Ltd
10.00am - 6.00pm ART & PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
A further chance to enjoy paintings, photography and 3D work from local artists and a chance to vote for your favourite exhibit. See full details on page for Tuesday 15th Jul;y
Parish Rooms - Entry Free
Sponsored by Somerton Town Council
7.30pm BELINDA EVANS accompanied by STEPHEN MARQUISS
Local girl now a "Star of stage and screen"
Belinda grew up in Ash and sang in Yeovil Chamber Choir. She obtained a BA (Hons) Music Degree from Bath Spa University College followed by a Vocal Diploma at the Welsh College of Music and Drama. Last autumn, Belinda completed a run of'The Phantom of the Opera' in London's West End following her success last autumn when she was chosen from over 6000 hopefuls as a Finalist in the BBC series 'How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?' She has since returned to Opera, and has been appearing as Fiordiligi with Opera UK and Opera by Definition, as well as teaching singing in schools and colleges in London. In 2003, she represented England singing the National Anthem at The Rugby World Cup in Australia, and has since sung at the BBC Sports Personality 50th Programme and at Wembley Arena. She is currently permanent soprano of the Choir of the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks. Recently she won second prize at both the Great Elm Vocal Awards, Frome, adjudicated by Dame Joan Sutherland, and the St. Joh's Solo Singing Competition, London. She made her professional operatic début as Papagena in Opera by Definition's production of 'Die Zauberflöte' and she has had many operatic roles since. Belinda has appeared extensively as a soloist at venues including St. David's Hall Cardiff, and Dartington Great Hall. Equally at home in the contemporary repertoire, she has been the chosen soloist for several newly commissioned works including two major new choral works, 'Otter - Lutra Lutra on the Stour' and 'Silver Messenger' and has just released a single,'The Woodlark'. Belinda has also just appeared in Kenneth Branagh's new film adaptation of The Magic Flute. She is delighted to be returning home to Somerset to appear at the Somerton Festival.
Please visit www.belindaevans.co.uk for further information.
Accompanying Belinda tonight will be Stephen Marquiss now on his third visit to Somerton Festival. Stephen studied piano with Peter Sage-Passant in Frome, John Byrne at Wells Cathedral School and Sophia Rosoff in New York. He has enjoyed a busy career involving solo performances, accompaniment, conducting and composing, including an appointment at Wells Cathedral School, and a solo appearance at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's Mozart Evening at the 2006 Glastonbury Extravaganza. He has recently made departures into pastures new, including a series of evenings combining classical music and meditation. Stephen is also a part-time piano and pre-prep music teacher at Hazlegrove Preparatory School and founder and Music Director of Frome's lively amateur orchestra, Frome Symphony.
St Michael and All Angels Church Tickets £8.00
Sponsored by Somerton Business & Trade Association
7.30pm FRED WEDLOCK
"Oldest Swinger in Town"
Fred Wedlock is back in Somerton after an absence of several years. When you see his photo though he doesn't look any older - the wonders of modern photography!! He had a good start for an entertainer as he was born and brought up in a pub, where his first paid gig was at the age of 4 singing to the customers for which his fee was sixpence (old pence that is!) Fred has a deep love of the West Country, especially his native Bristol. He's an acknowledged authority (acknowledged by whom, I wonder!) on the local dialect, and apparently speaks fairly good English, too. He is keen on all sports and comes from a famous footballing family - his father and uncles played for Bristol City and his grandfather won 26 England caps and played in the FA Cup final. In his younger days, Fred experimented with several careers, including teaching in the East End of London, but he's managed without a proper job for over 25 years now. Fred has had over 30 years of radio and TV performances and released over 20 albums. Many of his shows these days are private functions but he's escaped to be with us tonight - although he does say that the general public are admitted at their own risk!! So join us tonight and hear a few stories, parodies, jokes and maybe the odd song. www.fredwedlock.net
The White Hart Inn Tickets £8.00
Sponsored by Avalon Sciences Ltd
8.00pm MORRIS DANCING
Teams will be attending to dance in the Unicorn Hotel Car Park. All of the teams doing their stuff and showing off Morris dancing, there being enough different styles to cater for many tastes.
At the time of going to press the following teams have indicated attendance others may arrive on the night and we are hoping to get some individual dancers interested too.
Dr Turberville's Morris from Crewkerne dancing Cotswold and Border - Celebrating their 25th Anniversary -www.dr-turbervilles.about.tc
Exeter Morris Men from Exeter dancing Cotswold - www.exetermorris.co.uk
Exmoor Border Morris from Barnstaple dancing Border Morris - Celebrating their 10th Anniversary - www.geocities.com/exmoorborder
Wyvern Jubilee from Yeovil dancing Cotswold - www.wyvernjubileemorris.org.uk
Bristol Morris Men from Bristol dancing Cotswold - George Collett - www.bristolmorrismen.co.uk/
Treacle Eater Clog from Somerset dancing North West Clog www.treacleeaterclog.org.ukWinterbourne Down from Dorset dancing Border Morris - www.wdbm.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
The Foreman and Squire for the evening is Andrew Knight and Bagpeople Neil & Jo Cooper
Unicorn Hotel Car Park Free Entry
8.00pm EIGHTIES NIGHT WITH HEROES
UK'S No 1 Tribute to New Wave
"From out of Punk and New Wave came some of the best British Bands for a generation. Against a backdrop of 80's Britain came energy, creativity but above all else - Attitude"
Heroes is a band based in south-east Kent which formed in the Spring of 2001. They decided to do a new wave tribute as that was the type of music they grew up listening to and sharing a common interest in whether it be mod, ska, 2 tone, punk or even the rockabilly side of the music of the late 70's & early 80's. Heroes are truly one of the very few bands that can capture the energy and attitude of New Wave and turn it into a fantastic show. They have played hundreds of high-energy gigs around the UK. They try to dress according to the style of music and tend to wear shirt tie tonic suits, jam shoes and even a pork pie hat for the Ska tunes. They choose to cover the most popular bands of the period 1977-1983 mainly the Jam, The Clash, The Specials, Madness, Billy Idol, The Sex Pistols etc www.heroesnew.com
The Festival Marquee Somerton Sports Club Tickets £10.00
Sponsored by H & M Motors