Stage4Beverley will soon be upon us, bringing some top music, dance and poetry to Beverley to brighten up the dark winter months with leading national performers as well as the best of emerging artists.
This year the festival is reaching out to encourage more local people to attend its events by including diverse venues such as The Memorial Hall, Toll Gavel United Church and Monks Walk Inn, as well as its hub venue, the East Riding Theatre.
Some of the highlights this year include the legendary Liverpool poet, former member of the band Scaffold and presenter of BBC Radio4’s Poetry Please, Roger McGough, who will present his performance entitled Alive and Kicking, and BBC Radio DJ Andy Kershaw who will bring to the festival his African, Caribbean and Latin Dance Night.
Other artists performing over the festival are Keith James presenting the music of Yusuf Cat Stevens; O’Hooley & Tidow, renowned for their music for the series Gentleman Jack; the Sam Kelly Trio award-winning folk group; Britain’s finest Bluegrass band, The Often Herd and legendary Bluesmen Dave Kelly with Bob Hall; plus the dynamic band Morganway, who will bring the party to a close with only great memories and anticipation for the 2025 festival.
Other more informal events take place at Monks Walk Inn and a very special guest from Ukraine, Anastasiya Voyktyuk, will also be presenting a lunchtime concert on the Sunday in the East Riding Theatre Café Bar. The event is The Folk Music of Ukraine, Past & Present on the Bandura and will be talking about the music in the past and how today the musicians are continuing to perform and spread their music.
As the festival is keen to involve local organisations and young musicians in the programme, this year it will be hosting the Beverley Town Handbell Ringers for a concert on the Sunday. The rising stars of tomorrow will be performing on the Saturday lunchtime on the Horizon Stage to show that the music scene is in good hands and the future looks bright for live music.
For those wishing to participate themselves, there will be opportunities to write their own poem in a poetry workshop and perform in the festival’s Curtain Raiser event. With relaxed sessions and a Late Night Festival Club to finish off the weekend evenings in the informal atmosphere of the East Riding Theatre Café Bar, it’s a week not to miss.
For more details of the programme and further artists and to purchase tickets, go to www.stage4beverley.com or visit the East Riding Theatre or call the Box Office 01482 874050