Stage4Beverley is set to bring top music, dance, and poetry to the town this month, featuring leading national performers as well as the best of emerging artists.
This year the festival, from February 11-18, hopes 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 include Roger McGough, the legendary Liverpool poet, former member of the band Scaffold and presenter of BBC Radio4’s Poetry Please. BBC Radio DJ Andy Kershaw will bring his African, Caribbean, and Latin Dance Night.
Other artists include Keith James, presenting the music of Yusuf – Cat Stevens; O’Hooley and Tidow, renowned for their music for the series Gentleman Jack; the award-winning Sam Kelly Trio; plus the dynamic band Morganway who will bring the festival to a close. Ukrainian musician Anastasiya Voyktyuk will also be presenting a lunchtime concert on the Sunday in the East Riding Theatre Café Bar.
As the festival is keen to involve local organisations in the programme and young musicians, 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 then 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 to buy tickets, visit stage4beverley.com or call 01482 874050.
