Thursday 16th July
FULL DETAILS OF ALL FESTIVAL EVENTS CAN BE FOUND IN THE 88 PAGE SOUVENIR PROGRAMME WHICH INCLUDES
A VOUCHER FOR 10% OFF TICKET PRICES (Tickets Available from 1st June)
JUNIOR SCHOOL WORKSHOP
As a Morris dance tutor Kim Woodward’s interest is in the future of England’s wealth of regional dance styles and customs, all of which are open to young people if they only knew how much fun they are and where to find them. Young people are welcomed at these events as they are the ones who will keep our customs alive and move them forward. Kim works with young people in or out of school to provide short, taster, dance workshops with a sense of achievement or longer-term projects for performance at school events or in the wider community. All workshops and projects have live music and ‘proper’ accessories such as real Morris sticks. Kim can introduce young people to living traditions in their own area whether it be Wassailing, May Day, the Jack in the Green or Mumming. A willingness to join in is more important than someone's starting ability and individuals are able to progress at their own pace. Kim has successfully led workshops and projects all over the West Country including the Caper West Olympic project in 2006 which saw 100 primary school children from Bristol join with 100 primary school children from Sedgemoor, Somerset to create a living flag of St George using Cotswold and North West Morris dance styles. For this event Kim will be joined by 20yr old Jenny Davey from Taunton. Jenny has been involved with the folk world all her life. She dances with Silver Flame Rapper and has recently instigated the formation of a new youth Morris side Hunky Punks. Jenny can be seen dancing with Sweet Coppin during the evening.
Monteclefe Junior School Children Only
Sponsored by Somerton Printery 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 Tuesday 14th
Parish Rooms – Entry Free
Sponsored by Somerton Town Council
2.00pm MORRIS DANCE WORKSHOP
From 2 pm we will be hosting the Morris Dance workshops in the Unicorn Skittle Alley for beginners and progressors alike so if you would like the opportunity to try some Morris dancing please come along and join in. We will be teaching a variety of styles of dancing, from the sedate to the energetic and everyone is welcome, wear loose comfortable clothes and trainers.
Unicorn Hotel Skittle Alley - Entry Free
7.30pm FRED WEDLOCK
“Oldest Swinger in Town”
After his great success at last year’s festival we have invited Fred back again this year. 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. 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. See www.fredwedlock.com
The White Hart Inn – Tickets £8.00
Sponsored by C R Blackwell Building Services A voucher for 10% off ticket prices (Tickets available from 1st June) can be found in the 88 page Souvenir programme Click here for information
8.00pm MORRIS DANCING
Following the success and popularity of the 2008 Morris Dance venue at the Festival, Dr Turberville’s Morris is again hosting the Somerton Morris invasion this year. In 2008 Somerton was treated to 8 Morris teams of varying styles dancing in the car park behind the Unicorn. We will be making this our base again this year and the display dances will start at about 8pm, with teams travelling around the centre of Somerton to entertain you in and around the other pubs in town.
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.
Sweet Coppin from Taunton dancing North West Morris - celebrating their 30th anniversary www.sweet-coppin.co.uk
No Mean Feet from West Chinnock dancing Appalachian www.nomeanfeet.org.uk
Beetlecrushers from Binegar Nr Shepton Mallet dancing Clog Morris www.beetlecrushers.org.uk
Dr Turberville’s Morris from Crewkerne dancing Mixed Cotswold Morris http://dr-turbervilles.awardspace.co.uk/Invasion.html
Wyvern Jubilee from Yeovil dancing Men’s Cotswold Morris www.wyvernjubileemorris.org.uk/
Unicorn Hotel Car Park Free Entry
8.15pm MARTIN CARTHY AND MARTIN SIMPSON
One of the best folk nights ever seen
STOP PRESS
Martin Carthy has been hospitalised over night and will be unable to make the gigg tonight but Martin Simpson however will carry on for the event
Two of the most talented guitarists and folk singers that this country has ever produced, they really are masters of their craft and legends in their own lifetimes! Their highly different styles of guitar playing complement each other beautifully, whilst their choice of material ranges from the blues of the American Deep South to the traditional music of England, Ireland, Scotland and North America. Martin Carthy has always been a huge influence on Martin Simpson and since Simpson’s return to the UK they have performed together with increasing regularity, An evening rich in talent and tradition that never fails to please.
“For four decades, Martin Carthy's work has immeasurably enriched the British folk heritage. He is regarded as one of the finest singers and interpreters of traditional music of the British Isles, as well as a highly influential and much-imitated guitarist. Awarded the MBE for services to English folk music in 1998, his drive and enthusiasm are undiminished and he continues to be one of folk music's great innovators.” Sunday Times
“Martin Simpson is one of the UK’s finest folk musicians, and his unique gift is to bring to bear the kind of fluid forward motion usually associated with American acoustic music on the more strident shapes of British traditional song.” Sunday Times
“Martin Simpson’s performances elicit powerful emotions and subtle, understated beauty'” Guitar Player
See www.martinsimpson.com and www.watersoncarthy.com
A selection of Bar-B-Q meats and vegetarian options will be available 1 hour before the start of the Event and throughout the evening.
The Festival Marquee Somerton Sports Club - Tickets £10.00. A voucher for 10% off ticket prices (Tickets available from 1st June) can be found in the 88 page Souvenir programme Click here for information