Leek Life March/April 2014 | Page 31

LEEK ARTS FESTIVAL Leek Arts Festival has lift off.... he people of Leek are getting ready for some late nights and some cracking live music as plans for the 2014 Leek Arts Festival are fine tuned ready for lift-off in May. Twelve months in the making, this year’s festival programme offers an eclectic mix of folk, fine art, funk and photography with lashings of music from just about every other genre including opera, rock, punk and new wave. Festival favourites Fairport Convention will be making their annual pilgrimage to the Queen of the Moorlands while the award-winning Roving Crows will be bringing their own brand of fiery Celtic folk/rock. Bafta nominated comedy genius Richard Digance – described as a ‘national treasure’ by Whispering Bob Harris – will make his first appearance at Leek Arts Festival this year, and Glastonbury and Radio Two Folk Show presenter Mark Radcliffe will take to the stage with his latest band The Foes. Speaking to Leek Life Festival spokesman Phil Edmeades said: “As well as major artists the programme also includes a huge range of events featuring local performers including Leek Choral Society, the Phoenix Singers, Funk Station and Cuckoo’s Nest. “Add in a big helping of fine art and photography exhibitions, plenty of spoken word, arts and crafts in Brough Park and even a bit of controversial theatre and you end up with a programme that has something for everyone. T “We’ve done all the hard work and all everyone else has to do is to get out there and enjoy it.” Full details of all Leek Arts Festival events can be found on the festival website at www.leekartsfestival.org from where tickets for events organised directly by the festival committee are available. Tickets can also be purchased from Leek TIC and from the Foxlowe Arts Centre. Right: Birmingham Conservatoire Folk Ensemble Below: Fairport Convention Leek Life March/April 2014 31