Bluegrass festival returns to the Brindley, Runcorn

Sep 1 2011 by Mark Smith, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THE BRINDLEY’S annual Bluegrass festival returns in October, with organisers saying it promises to be bigger and better than ever.

The celebration of Bluegrass – a sub genre of American country music – features three days of workshops, jam sessions and concerts, with performances of music and dance from some of the UK’s finest artists.

Friday evening kicks off with a pre-concert ‘white book’ jam session in the studio, suitable for learners or anyone who wants to sing along.

The first concert starts with BBC Young Folk Award finalists of 2009, Jaywalkers.

Other Friday night acts are Peter Price and Sidney Bailey’s No Good Punching Clowns.

More than 100 young people will appear in the young musicians concert on Saturday afternoon, featuring the Music for Life Junior Orchestra, Helsby High School Folk Ensemble, the Music for Life Big Band and Helsby Young Bluegrass Stars.

For visitors who have been inspired by what they have heard, there will be an open mic session in the afternoon hosted by four-piece Helsby favourites Cousin Pearl.

Returning for the Saturday night concert are festival veterans Pete and Lorraine.

Multi-instrumentalist twins the Carrivick Sisters, finalists in the BBC Young Folk Awards 2010, will take to the stage with their original Bluegrass background with folk influences and songs inspired by their Devon stamping grounds.

Saturday night also features MC Tom Travis, Hand Picked, and Chill Until Blue.

Fiddle, mandolin, Irish dance and steel guitar workshops will keep budding musicians and dancers entertained throughout Sunday.

The festival runs from October 7-9.

For ticket information call on 0151 907 8360, or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk