THE midsummer weekend (Friday, 20 June – Sunday, June 22) will see Teignmouth echoing to a wealth of traditional sounds as the fifth Teignmouth Folk Festival takes centre stage.
Festival chairman Martin Gosling reckons it will be the best yet, with extra events, a new camping venue at the rugby club, a wide variety of dance styles for the Day of Dance on Saturday, and an interesting range of workshops.
'There is something to appeal to everyone at this year's festival,' said Mr Gosling.
Internationally renowned singer Pete Coe opens the festivities on Friday with a concert at 8pm in the main hall of the community college, and he will host a special concert for children – Tall Tailes – at the same venue at 10.30am on Saturday.
The mayor of Teignmouth opens the Day of Dance at 10am, on Saturday, in the Triangle, giving residents and visitors alike the chance to see many different styles of dancing around the town. On the same day there are workshops for apprehensive singers, Irish set dancing and Appalachian flat footing.
English folk dance band Stocai – playing a variety of interesting instruments – provide the sounds for a ceilidh in the community college, starting at 8pm on Saturday.
For those who are perhaps a bit exhausted from dancing during the day, an extra concert will take place at the rugby club on Saturday evening. It features Brian Peters and Gordon Tyrall, performing traditional music with vibrancy and virtuosity, and supported by local group Mooncooin and shanty singers Free Toast.
On Sunday there will be more dancing around the town, culminating in a spectacular massed dance display in the Triangle at 1pm.
For tickets and further festival information contact Anne Gill on 01803 290427 or visit the festival website at http://www.teignmouthfolk.co.uk">www.teignmouthfolk.co.uk