Pete ‘Kiwi’ Keegan, Norfolk-based skiffle exponent, and his band are playing in Wymondham Market Place on Saturday, May 1st 2010 from 10am to 12noon. The event marks the launch of Wymondham’s summer of music and the publication of Wymondham Music Festival’s 2010 programme, www.wymfestival.org.uk.
Copies of the festival booklet promoting the historic market town’s music events from May onwards, including the 15th annual Festival Fortnight, June 26 to July 11, can be picked up on the morning of May 1 while listening to an original from the late 1950s London skiffle scene.
Wymondham Music Festival celebrates professional Norfolk musicians, combined with a selection of national artists and showcases local talent. There’s everything from a Steely Dan tribute band, to Jane Austen’s Musical England, opera, Indian classical music, folk, jazz, classical recitals and concerts and a Teddy Bears’ Picnic, accompanied by Brolly Folk playing jolly tunes for all ages.
More than 50 events, many of them free, are programmed to take place in a range of venues across the town. The 12th century Wymondham Abbey hosts several concerts and recitals including Norwich Baroque with Michael Chance (countertenor) and The Amphion Consort (June 5), The Art of Sound (June 30), Duo Contra (July 1), Wymondham Symphony Orchestra (July 10), Wymondham Youth Orchestra (July 3), a special Wymondham Young Pianists’ concert (July 5) and Tonally Different (July 6), a lunchtime recital featuring traditional British songs.
Open-air venues are well used. There’s the annual Midsummer Jazz Picnic at Becketswell featuring the DixieMix Jazz Band and the Theatre of Adventure (June 28). King’s Head Meadow hosts the Teddy Bears’ Picnic (July 4) and Browick Road Recreation Ground has a selection of local youth bands and up-and-coming DJs in Live ‘N’ Gigging (June 26). Hear popular Norwich musicians, The Rum Brothers (July 3) in The Market Place along with Chameleon a 1940s tribute band (July 8) and Wymondham High School Jazz Band (June 26). Ketts Park is the place for Steely Dan fans – an evening with Steemy Dan (July 10).
Folk concerts are at The Baptist Church – Horse’s Brawl (July 2) and Stone Angel (July 3). Wymondham High School has Live Wire Opera Company (June 26) and Wymondham Youth Music Society (July 8). Fairland Church Centre hosts Sulekh Ruparell, Eastern Music Company, for an evening of classical Indian music (July 9).
The festival heads out of town for an evening at Kimberley Hall with Consort Royal, as they explore Jane Austen’s Musical England (June 27). There’s also music and poetry with singer-songwriter Caomhe at Becket’s Chapel (July 6), plus the opportunity to explore the town with Blue Badge Guide Judy Hawkins (July 11).
John Wood, Chair, Wymondham Music Festival said: “Wymondham is a real musical hot bed. Our festival provides a wide range of music experiences, which promote fine Norfolk musicians, along with our many local music societies and musicians. We also showcase our historic market town and look forward to welcoming music fans of all ages and tastes to this beautiful part of Norfolk.”
Full festival programme details are at www.wymfestival.org.uk, tel. 01953 601939, or pick up a festival booklet from Wymondham Tourist Information Centre.
Wymondham Music Festival is supported by Wymondham Town Council, South Norfolk Council and Norfolk County Council.
Wymondham Music Festival (reg. charity no. 1081375) is run by a committee of volunteers who give their time to organise and administer the programme, and is supported by grants, advertising, sponsorship and the generosity of its patrons. The festival began in 1996 as a small series of concerts and was called Wymondham Music Week. It quickly expanded to become the festival that it is today, promoting the performance and appreciation of music, as well as offering music education for local people. The festival committee links up with many other local music organisations to promote events throughout the summer months.
