Cockermouth Live! 2023 brochure

Friday 30th June

Saturday 1st July

Sunday 2nd July

ALL AROUND TOWN

plus Edward II and others...

Hundreds of local performers and artists

Welcome to Cockermouth LIVE! 2023

We’re proud to offer a bigger festival than ever, with more events but also allowing things to breathe a little more.

As a celebration of local talent, there’s no better show in town. Daytimes are filled with talented people who do it all for love – for love of music, dance, drama, poetry - and our special town.

Friday evening sees Rowan McCabe in his funny and heart-warming show Door-to-Door Poetry: Nationwide, followed by a double-header of international singer/songwriters Boo Hewerdine and Jill Jackson.

We’re thrilled to have as our Saturday headline act Edward II, an 8-piece roots and reggae band who have been collecting standing ovations throughout the country.

We’re grateful to all the venues: Wordsworth House, St Joseph’s Church Hall, United Reformed Church, the Moon & Sixpence, the pubs and shops, plus the Castle, the Kirkgate Centre and Christ Church.

It’s all made possible by a massive voluntary effort but it doesn’t happen without significant finance, and we are so grateful to this year’s sponsors and funders.

YOU can help ensure that the event can return in future years - please give generously in our collecting buckets and/or scan the QR code on page 7 and page 11.

We very much hope you enjoy your Live! experience.

Chris Bridgman, Chair, Cockermouth Festivals Group

Acknowledgements

We are really grateful to the organisations who have financially supported us this year: Brockbanks, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, The Cumberland, Dobies, Listers, Metalcraft, the Moon and Sixpence, the Hadfield Trust, Rotary, Town Council, and the Cockermouth and Papcastle Recreational Trust. Thank you also to all volunteers who have helped plan over the past year and steward Cockermouth Live! 2023. Thank you also to Lord and Lady Egremont.

PLEASE NOTE Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this programme is correct at the time of going to press. We reserve the right to cancel or change any show or make amendments to dates, times and prices

Kirkgate Centre

FRIDAY JUNE 30TH, 6.30PM

Door-to-Door Poetry Nationwide with Rowan McCabe

Rowan McCabe is the world’s first Door-toDoor Poet. Knocking on strangers’ doors, he writes poems for them, for free, on any subject of their choosing. It’s a bit like the Avon lady, except with rhymes.

A show about trust, class and community, this funny and thought-provoking mix of theatre and spoken word tells the story of what happened to Rowan on his final outing as a

Door-to-Door Poet. In a post-pandemic world, it asks what lessons we’ve learned and suggests a bold rethinking of our relationship with those around us.

Tickets: www.kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk

Friday Listings

MOON AND SIXPENCE

10:00 Steve Wharton: Will perform a selection of songs, characterised by a catchy chorus and enlightening introductions.

11:00 Emily Bailey: Her set for Cockermouth

Live will be relaxing sweet acoustic indie folk pop, packed with raw emotion and flowing melodies.

12:00 J P Worsfold: Is a writer of emotional contemplative

contemporary folk songs that speak of connection, joy and belonging.

13:00 Cat of Tomorrow: Is a singer/songwriter and novelist with a love of pop culture and a heavy dose of Roman Catholic guilt.

14:00 Goatherder: Is the artist name of Stephen Benson. This solo project is experimental ambient, drone and collage. Weird sonic textures from North West Cumbria.

cockermouthfestival.org

Saturday Listings

OUTDOORS

10.00-16.00 Fairly Famous Family Anyone for tennis?

Frivolity and fun with slapstick humour, clowning and audience participation.

WORDSWORTH HOUSE

10:15-11:15 Rucksack of Rhymes and 11:30-12:30

Bugs and Butterflies Family craft activities run by the Wordsworth Trust.

10:45-11:15 Hearts of Uke: Songs from a variety of genres and eras given a ukulele twist.

11:45-12:15 Gala Trio: Flute, oboe and clarinet playing music from Baroque to modern.

12:30-13:15 Yis Aye: Local duo playing a mix of familiar and original tunes.

13:30-14:15 Tim and Helen

Elvin: Fiddle and accordion music from northern Europe.

14:30-15:30 Poets Out Loud: An informal group that gets together to share poetry.

UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

10:00-11:30

Cockermouth

School Music Groups: A mixture of instrumental groups and vocal ensembles and soloists.

11:45-12:15 Castlegate

Singers: Women’s choir who enjoy singing a wide variety of music.

UNITED REFORMED CHURCH (BELOW/ FORECOURT)

10:30-12:30 and 13:30-15:30

Jack Fawdry-Tatham: Print your own images using a Victorian printing press during this demonstration of the printing process.

12:30-13:00 Scottish Country Dancing demonstration: A demonstration showcasing traditional dancing.

13:15-14:00 Shanty Lads: Sea shanty singing with a strong focus on audience participation.

ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH HALL

14.00-15.00 FitnActive Drama Group Performing a comedy sketch show featuring adult humour, elderly jokes, and childish fun.

LOWTHER WENT

10:30-11:00 Tim and Helen Elvin: Fiddle and accordion music from northern Europe.

12:45-13:15 Returning

Leopards: A unique blend of original psychedelic folk-pop.

13:30-14:30 Cockermouth

Ukulele Band: Friends who enjoy playing the ukulele together.

15:30-16:15 Shanty Lads: Sea shanty singing with a strong focus on audience participation.

FLETCHER CHRISTIAN

12:30-13:30

Ulyatt & Deakin: Classical voice with piano performing 20th Century English art songs

14:00-14:45 Rachel Barnard & Beth Haughan: Art and folk songs exploring themes of landscape, nature and the rich folk tradition.

15:15-16:00 Ewanrigg

Community Choir: A community choir singing music of all different kinds.

16:15-16:45

Papcastle Wind

Quintet: Wind quintet playing all kinds of light classical music.

10:45-11:15 Red Sky: Mellow folk and blues, festival favourites.

12:00-12:45 D.W.F: Duo performing rock, pop and indie originals and covers.

13:30-14:00 Woody Holmes: A singer-songwriter playing Americana, folk and celtic music.

14:15-15:00 Shanty Lads: Sea shanty singing with a strong focus on audience participation.

SETHS

12:00-12:30 Red Sky: Mellow folk and blues, festival favourites.

13:15-14:00 D.W.F: Duo performing rock, pop and indie originals and covers.

14:15-15:00 Yis Aye: Local duo playing a mix of familiar and original tunes.

15:15-15:45 Ian Cumpstey: Singer-songwriter performing his own compositions.

RECREATE & MAKE

10:00-onwards Urban

Sketchers: All welcome. Meet up under the orange brolly outside Recreate & Make.

10:00-12:00 Drop-in craft workshops

12:30-13:00 Natalie Burns: Lively, engaging and fun poetry sessions for all.

13:15-13:45 Ian Cumpstey: Singer-songwriter performing his own compositions.

14:15-14:45 Avishek

Choudhury: Singer-songwriter with influences from Coldplay & The Script.

BITTER END

oldest brass bands in the world still playing.

12:45-13:15 Wayfarers

Theatre: Scenes and music from their production of ‘As You Like It’.

13:30-14:00 Alte Musik: Musicians playing instruments and music of the Renaissance period.

14:30-16:30 Emerging Cumbrian Talent via Oh My Days Promotions: birdseed.: An indie folk project inspired by Phoebe Bridgers and Lorde.

Holly Brooke: An indie folk artist blending warm acoustics with melancholic lyrics.

Maddie Rose: Maddie Rose is a local artist with a futuristic sound.

CHRIST CHURCH

10:45-11:15 Papcastle Wind

Quintet: Wind quintet playing all kinds of light classical music.

11:30-12:15 All Saint’s Community Rock Squad: Community choir singing a variety of songs from different eras.

12:30-13:15 Cockermouth

12:30-13:00

Woody Holmes: Singer-songwriter playing Americana, folk and celtic music.

13:30-14:00 Red Sky: Mellow folk and blues, festival favourites.

14:30-15:00 Returning

Leopards: A unique blend of original psychedelic folk-pop.

KIRKGATE CENTRE

12:30-13:00 Avishek

Choudhury: Singer-songwriter with influences from Coldplay & The Script.

13:15-13:45 Hearts of Uke: Songs from a variety of genres all given a ukulele twist.

14:00-15:45 Oppgard: Bringing unique takes on pieces across the broad spectrum of jazz.

CASTLE

10:30-11:15

Cockermouth

Ukulele Band: A group of friends who enjoy playing the ukulele together.

11:30-12:30

Cockermouth

Mechanics Band: One of the

Ukulele Band: A group of friends who enjoy playing the ukulele together.

14:00-15:30 Cockermouth

Scottish Country Dance Club: Fun, fitness and friends – that is what Scottish dancing provides. All ages welcome.

15:45-16:15 Wayfarers

Theatre: Scenes and music from their production of ‘As You Like It’.

MOON & SIXPENCE

10:00 Eve Pereira: Is a singersongwriter from Carlisle.

11:00 birdseed.: An indie folk project inspired by Phoebe Bridgers and Lorde.

12:00 Hannah Kessler: An alt-rock singer-songwriter inspired by The Prodigy and Sonic Youth.

13:00 The Groove Shaman: The Groove Shaman wants to take you on a journey.

14:00 The Heartwood Institute: Hauntronica from the heart of the English Lake District.

Saturday Timetable

These performances are free, donations welcome!

Sunday Listings

WORDSWORTH HOUSE

10:15-11:00 Kirkgate Youth Theatre: Pieces of theatre exploring issues of culture and identity.

11:15-11:45 Emma McGordon: Awardwinning spoken word artist interested in the shared human experience.

12:00-12:30 The Sessionistas: Festival favourites with their goodtime acoustic covers.

12:45-13:15 Fain: Folk duo playing their own arrangements of Celtic and French songs.

13:30-14:00 Skiddaw

Ukes: An eclectic mix of songs to listen to and to join in.

14:15-15:00 Sing Owt! and Wild Chorus: Joyous harmony singing from folk and pop traditions.

15:00-15:30 Quaternery: Young people playing a variety of folk and popular music.

LOWTHER WENT

13:15-14:00 Stevie Bass: Playing original songs and the odd unusual addition from elsewhere.

14:30-15:15 Emma Hunt: A singer with a unique sound, voice and quality.

FLETCHER CHRISTIAN

13:00-13:45 Somethin’

Brewin’: 4-piece band playing the best of classic rock.

14:00-14:45 Ged Hagan: Guitar vocalist singing folk, country, and Irish classics.

SETHS

12:00-12:30 Somethin’

Brewin’: 4-piece band playing the best of classic rock.

13:00-13:30 The Too: Just two mates playing songs and having fun.

14:30-14:15 Grace

Savage: A singer who enjoys putting her own twist on well-known songs.

15:45-16:30 Emma Hunt: A singer with a unique sound, voice and quality.

RECREATE & MAKE

11:00-11:45 Stevie Bass: Playing original songs and the odd unusual addition from elsewhere.

12:00-12:30 Emma McGordon: Awardwinning spoken word artist interested in the shared human experience.

BITTER END

12:00-12:45 Grace

Savage: Singer who enjoys putting her own twist on well-known songs.

13:15-14:00 Emma Hunt: Singer with a unique sound, voice and quality.

14:30-15:00 The Too: Just two mates playing songs and having a bit of fun.

15:30-16:15 Ged Hagan: Guitar vocalist singing folk, country, and Irish classics.

KIRKGATE CENTRE

10:30-11:15 Dave Camlin: Folk, jazz and blues songsmithery.

11:15-12:00 Bitterbeck: Friends who perform catchy original songs with environmental themes.

12:15-13:00 Tryckster: Rare appearance from epic local folk-rockers.

13:00-13:30 Emma

McGordon: Awardwinning spoken word artist interested in the shared human experience.

13:45-14:30 The Sessionistas: Festival favourites with their goodtime acoustic covers

14:30-15:15 Suzey & The Jazz Cats: 5-piece band playing jazz tunes.

15:30-16:15 Jammin with the Zebra: Playing traditional blues with a few surprises.

CASTLE

10:15-11:00 Derwent

Swing Band: A band for all occasions playing a wide range of classic swing, jazz and other popular music.

11:15-12:15 Egremont

Brass Band: A traditional village band.

12:30-13:15 Kirkgate Youth Theatre: Pieces of theatre exploring issues of culture and identity.

13:45-14:30 Sethera Brass: Taking its name from the Cumbrian dialect for 6, the original members

Sethera Brass is now a 9-piece group performing a wide variety of traditional brass band, jazz, popular and film music.

15:00-15:30 Alte Musik: Musicians playing instruments and music of the Renaissance period.

16:00-16:45 Sing Owt! and Wild Chorus: Harmony singing from local and global folk and pop traditions.

CHRIST CHURCH

12:45-13:45 Beginners

Ukulele workshop: Suitable for total beginners and those who have made a start but cannot join chords together.

14:00-15:00 Improvers

Ukulele workshop: If you can string the three chords of C, F & G together then you are an improver.

15:15-15:45 Ian Brown

Ukulele Performance: We will be showing off what we have learnt in the ukulele workshops.

16:00-16:45 The Sessionistas: Festival favourites with their goodtime acoustic covers

MOON AND SIXPENCE

11:00 DJ Black Foliage: BlackFoliage will play wonderful records from all eras and cultures.

DJ Miss Chop: Miss Chop has been collecting Jamaican music for over 10 years.

Sunday Timetable

These performances are free, donations welcome!

Help us keep it LIVE! Donations welcome through the QR code

16:00-16:15

16:15-16:30

16:30-16:45

16:45-17:00

Kirkgate Centre

FRIDAY JUNE 30TH, 8.30PM

Boo Hewerdine & Jill Jackson

through to his subsequent solo work and long-time collaboration with the incredible Eddi Reader, he has become something of a national treasure.

Two masters of song are hitting the road together to bring each other’s songs to life.

Boo Hewerdine is considered one of the UK’s finest singer-songwriters. As lead singer of The Bible,

Jill Jackson is one of Scotland’s leading singer-songwriters and an acclaimed artist within the Americana music scene. Her sensitive storytelling, heart-rending vocals, and sheer love of Americana, have earned her a loyal fan base around the world.

Tickets: www.kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk

Kirkgate Centre (standing gig)

SATURDAY JULY 1ST, 8.00PM

Orchestra

Edward II

continent before finally calling it a day in 1999. In 2016 they came back and released a brand new CD called ‘Manchester’s Improving Daily’.

Roots band uniquely blending the rhythms of the Caribbean with traditional songs from the British Isles. Back in the 90’s, they worked extensively across the globe touring world music, reggae and folk festivals on almost every

More recently, they have been working on a set of tunes collected from the fields at the start of the last century and immortalised by the Jamaican poet and educator Louise BennettCoverley (more commonly known as Miss Lou), who originally recorded many of the songs in the 1960s.

Tickets: www.kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk

Christ Church

SUNDAY JULY 2ND, 7:00PM

Cockermouth Community Orchestra

Cockermouth Community Orchestra’s performance will include music by Vaughan-Williams, Holst, Gilbert & Sullivan and Ivor Novello as well as folk music and sea shanties. There are 40 members of the orchestra, from early

grades to post grade 8, from 16 years old to 90. Joining them this year will be a local choral group “Wild Chorus” and “Sing Owt” led by Dave Camlin. For the final piece the choir and orchestra will combine to become 70 performers.

Tickets from Billy Bowman’s Music Shop

Things to get involved in

There’s lots to do and get involved in this year. Ian K Brown’s ukulele workshops at Christ Church on Sunday are free and for all abilities (there’ll even be a concert for everyone involved at the end). There’s also print making going on at the URC on Saturday for all ages, craft workshops

and the Urban Sketchers; there’s family craft at Wordsworth House and Scottish country dancing at Christ Church on Saturday afternoon. And you won’t be able to miss Fairly Famous Family who will be wandering around town on Saturday, keeping you smiling, happy and laughing.

arts at their finest and most