insideKENT Magazine Issue 31 - October 2014 | Page 22

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT Tenterden Folk Festival 2014 In its 22nd year, the ever-popular Tenterden Folk Festival (TFF) will once again descend on the East Kent town from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th October. Pledging to offer something for all the family to enjoy, TFF was formed as a registered charity in 1993 and aims to promote not only traditional and contemporary English folk song, music and dance, but also crafts and traditions – hence the number of free events over the long weekend. Tenterden is the ideal venue for the hundreds of Morris dancers, folk dance display teams, Hooden horses and more, which line the streets to take part in the huge annual procession. To accommodate, the High Street is closed off from 3pm on Saturday. their own region, but not in Kent. The most prominent of this year’s local bands are Gentleman of Few, a young bluegrass band from South East Kent, and Green Diesel, a folk rock band from Faversham. Free showcases will not only take place on the marquee stage, but also in the pubs and St Mildred’s Church, whereby The Yardarm Folk Orchestra and The Sussex Folk Orchestra will play on Sunday. Representing the women is Rosie May, a singer hailing from Somerset, who performs traditional folk and medieval melodies. Steeleye Span and The Albion Band, together with Ken Nicol. Retired sub-mariner, Tom Lewis, and Tenterden’s own, Mark Gibson, will support. One of the most inspiring singer-songwriters on the folk scene, Jez Lowe, will return to the town also. You can find more details and a full programme of events at www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk. As well as formal concerts, in 2014 the festival welcomes back a handful of quirky workshops. This year, Pete Castle will run Links with Lit, during which attendees will hear stories and songs that have influenced literature, been influenced by literature, or remind you of works of literature. Back by popular demand, Gavin and Julie Atkin’s folk music workshop will return for a second year. This 'class' is open to both new players and those with some experience, plus it will lead to a public performance at one of the sessions. Meanwhile, local bars including The Vine Inn, White Lion, William Caxton and Woolpack will be jam-packed with singers and musicians from early Friday morning to late Sunday night for the festival's free song and music sessions. Throughout Saturday and Sunday, Tenterden Recreation Ground will be the focus of the free outdoor events. Festivalgoers can enjoy a large marquee packed with an array of stalls selling anything from crafts, musical instruments and CDs, to speciality foods, real ale, refreshments and more. Attached to the marquee will be a free showcase and dance display stage too. Priding itself on supporting emerging talent, the festival plays host to acts that are well known in One of the special events to look out for is Barrack Room Ballads and other songs of military life, which will represent a themed concert to commemorate WW1. The event will feature several festival guests including Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman. Overseas' guests also taking part in TFF this year are Les Corsaires de la Vesdre, a sea songs and shanties group from Belgium; festival friends, Morena Slovak Dancers; and Jon Sanders, the bard of the Bouzouki and Duke of the Uke. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk. For further information on the craft fair and stalls, go to www.tenterdencraftfair.org.uk. In addition to local talent, the festival organisers also book names that are well known on the national and international folk scene. The Thursday evening pre-festival concert in Tenterden Town Hall features folk icon, Ashley Hutchings, founder of Fairport Convention, TFF is an independent charity entirely run by volunteers, but supported by Tenterden Town Council, Ashford Borough Council, Kent County Council, Shepherd Neame, Hobgoblin Music, Talking Elephant Records, Philberts, Old Dairy Brewery, Tenterden & District Chamber of Commerce, plus the venues and people of Tenterden. 22