22 February: 2012 BROCHURES ARE ON THEIR WAY!
A big Thank you to all the volunteers who turned up to yesterday's Stuffing Evening in Low Row Literary Institute. In a semi-controlled mayhem of labels, stamps, envelopes, cardboard boxes, brochures, inserts, rubber bands, tea and scones, some 4000 packages were prepared, and they should start their journey today.
If you're due to receive a brochure, we think you'll like what you find inside. You'll also like what you see outside, namely a flash that reads "ORDER YOUR TICKETS TODAY!". That's a reminder that postal ticket orders can be sent in immediately, and will be processed before the Box Office and Online ordering services open. So don't hold delay and risk a sellout - get your order in soon!
16 February: FESTIVAL DRAMA KICKS OFF IN SCARBOROUGH
Leeds-based theatre company Slung Low will perform KEEP in Richmond Castle during this year's Festival. A spectacular and mysterious thriller, KEEP is the second part of a five-part drama called Converging Paths. Each part can be viewed on its own, and the first part was performed in Scarborough last weekend. For a short taste of the atmospheric music which will accompany the performance, click here.
2 February: ANOTHER NEW SPONSOR
A big welcome to Natural Retreats, which runs beautiful, luxurious eco-lodges in a little valley just outside Richmond, and which is sponsoring our opening artist of 2012, The Olympianist. If you're looking for somewhere to stay during the Festival, take a look at Natural Retreats' website.
26 January: PUBLICITY FROM NORMAN LEBRECHT
The Radio 3 broadcaster has been saying nice things about our opening event of 2012, when Anthony Hewitt ('The Olympianist') will perform on Reeth Green. Read 'Get fit with the Olympianist'.
25 January: ANGEL UPDATE
Our Angels - individual sponsors - have also been flocking back, and most Festival events have now found a loving 'owner'. If you'd like to 'adopt' an event for a surprisingly low cost (generally just £100), there are still a few left. Contact Margaret Murphy for details very soon, because the offer closes on 31 January; she's at margaret@swalefest.org. Events remaining include Dales folk group Fourum, harpist Jean Kelly, Jonathan Dormand on cello, blues singer Kyla Brox, Muker Silver Band, the lovely soprano Patricia Hammond, who was such a success in 2011, Reeth Brass, the period-instrument Galeazzi Ensemble, the Swale Singers, and late-night harmonica and banjo duo, Walsh and Pound.
25 January: SPONSORS OLD AND NEW
Our sponsorship drive has been very productive, and we are pleased to welcome back Theakstons, Welcome to Yorkshire, Millgate House B&B of Richmond, the Bridge Inn of Grinton, Sherwoods Vauxhall, and Chipchase Manners Accountants - they clearly feel they got good value from last year's Festival. New sponsors this year include Wensleydale Creamery, makers of wonderful cheeses, the Leyburn Food and Drink Festival (do you spot a theme here?), and CPRE (Wensleydale), the Wensleydale branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Welcome, all.
10 January: 2012 PROGRAMME FINALISED
The 2012 brochure's gone into production... Join our mailing-list (see Home Page) if you're not already on it, to receive your copy in mid-February! Or check the programme link on the Home Page for updates. The 2012 Festival opens on 19 May with a free open-air concert on Reeth Green by talented pianist and avid cyclist Anthony Hewitt, who is celebrating the London Olympics by cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats, with his piano trailing in a van. It ends with an exciting outdoor extravaganza in Richmond Castle on 3 June. And there's a lot in between!
9 January: MALCOLM IN LINE FOR AN AWARD?
When not planning the next Festival, our Artistic Director Malcolm Creese performs with his trio, Acoustic Triangle. The group has just been nominated for the London Jazz Award 2012.
Acoustic Triangle consists of Malcolm on double-bass, Tim Garland (a Professor at the Royal Northern College of Music) on bass clarinet and saxophones, and virtuoso pianist Gwilym Simcock. The group will appear at this year's Festival with the Royal Holloway Choir on Sunday 27 May. The award short-list will be announced before then, and we are keeping our fingers crossed!
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