Welcome to the MendipFest, 10-12 May 2013!
A CELEBRATION OF THE TRADITIONAL SONG, DANCE,MUSIC AND STORIES OF NORTH SOMERSET

WHEN?  10-12 MAY 2013
WHERE?  OLD DOWN INN, EMBOROUGH, SOMERSET BA3 4SA
HOW MUCH?  £10 for weekend ticket (accommodation/food not included)

Note:  Concert £5 on the door, other sessions £3 on the door ONLY IF SEATS ARE AVAILABLE.  £10 TICKET HOLDERS WILL BE PRIORITISED.  Singarounds and morris free.

Practical details:  
Weekend tickets for the events cost £10.  Tickets are available from  davidwbyrneuk@yahoo.com
Accommodation/food is not included in the weekend ticket.  The festival will be centred on the Old Inn at Emborough, (tel 01761 232398), a historic coaching inn with good food and some accommodation  Camping and caravanning is possible at an accredited site across the road from the inn, and there are other b&bs and hotels in the area. 

ARTISTS INCLUDE:
The Bristol Shantymen
Called to be Saints West Gallery Choir
Heather Ash
The Hotwells Howlers
Mrs Price's Parlour
Priston Jubilee Morris
Somerset Morris
The Old Somerset Russets Village Band
Thornbridge

When N Somerset was visited by Cecil Sharp just over 100 years ago, the area was alive with song, music and dance traditions handed down across the generations. The material he found varied from songs of the sea and land to a rich tradition of fiddle-playing, stepdancing and much more.  The local mining community was marking its trials and tribulations through broadsides and Union songs, while the Severn river pilots were steeped in the shanties and forebitters of the seafarer.  Some local chapels and churches were still resisting the invasion of the organ, and persevering with local bands and choirs singing hymns and carols particular to the area

Sadly, much of this rich tradition is little performed today, even in N Somerset.  The aim of this Festival is to bring alive again this treaure trove for voices, feet and instruments.  Material collected in the area will be performed by an experienced gathering of local artists, musicians,dancers and storytellers.  Our intention is to celebrate and enjoy!


Programme

Friday 10th May

6-8pm         Singaround

8-11.30pm   Concert featuring               

                      The Bristol Shantymen

                      Heather Ash

                      Mrs Price's Parlour

                      Thornbridge

with some storytelling

Saturday  11th May

11am-1pm      Morris and mumming, with Priston Jubilee Morris, the Hotwells Howlers, Somerset Morris.

1.30-2.30pm   Presentation on Henry Cave, Fiddler and Scissor Grinder

2.30-4pm       Storytelling  with Colin Emmett, Martin Horler, Angela Shaw

4-5pm           Singaround

5-5.40pm       "The Sharp End of Mendip" Concert with the Hotwells Howlers

6.30-8pm       Concert with Heather Ash, Anna Reynolds,    Thornbridge, Old Somerset Russets Village Band

8.30pm-10.30pm  "Cecil Sharp's Big Night Out" with the Gt Western Collective

Sunday 12th May

10.30-11.30am   West Gallery Concert, Emborough Church with Called to be                                         Saints West Gallery Choir

12noon-1pm   North Somerset Mining Songs, Dave Byrne and friends

1-3pm            Singaround

6-11pm           Survivors' session


BA3 4SA