Chester’s February Folk Day is back and in a new venue this year.
Taking place on 25th February – after a long winter absent of folk festivals – the event is an early calendar highlight for many folk music fans.
The February Folk Day is hosted by the organisers as Chester Folk Festival, and is billed as a mini festival which delights audiences with a celebration of all that’s good in folk music.
It’ll be taking place in its new location, at All Saints Church in Hoole, which has enabled organisers to put on both an afternoon and an evening concert in addition to a ceilidh.
Thee’ll also be music and song sessions and meet the artist events.
Another change for this year is the new-look cafe and real ale bar as well as dance displays from the Clerical Error Border Morris team.
Performers taking part include Damien Barber and Mike Wilson (afternoon and evening), Virginia Kettle’s Rolling Folk (evening) and Thom Ashworth (afternoon).
Here’s what to expect…
Damien Barber and Mike Wilson
Damien Barber and Mike Wilson share a rich repertoire of traditional songs from around the country.
Damien is a distinctive singer, either unaccompanied or alongside his guitar or concertina.
Mike is the youngest member of the inimitable Wilson family, the Teesside singing siblings who have raised the rafters at many a festival or folk club event over the years.
Together, Damian and Mike are formidable!
Virginia Kettle Rolling Folk
Virginia Kettle is one of the finest singer-songwriters in the North West, with two solo albums under her belt and many more with infamous folk-rock group Merry Hell.
Virginia also fronts a new collaboration with some of the most talented local artists, collectively known as Virginia Kettle’s Rolling Folk.
Thom Ashworth
Equal parts interpreter of traditional song and insightful political songwriter, Thom Ashworth’s powerful tenor voice and the distinctive timbre of his acoustic bass guitar blend into a soundworld that is familiar but uniquely his own.
And more…
Also in attendance will be The Time Bandits (afternoon and ceilidh), Ben Robertson (evening), Kathryn Steel (afternoon), Love Music Trust Young Folk Ensemble (afternoon) and experienced and well-respected caller Baz Parkes who will be on hand at the ceilidh to help everyone join in – experts and beginners alike!
Timings and tickets
Doors open at midday with a music and song session, followed by a dance display by Clerical Error who will lead a procession into the afternoon concert which starts at 2.30pm.
At noon there is also a free Raven Fledglings workshop, exclusive to musicians aged 8-18 years.
The young artists will join past alumni to form the Young Folk Ensemble and open the afternoon concert.
Tickets for the afternoon, evening and ceilidh – as well as all day passes – are available now and can be purchased at www.chesterfolk.org.uk where there is also more information about the day.
Tickets will also be available on the door, space permitting.
