Todmorden Folk Festival
his is our fifth festival and we are still in awe at how quickly it’s become an important part of the folk festival calendar. Todmorden is a welcoming, open and friendly place; we love bringing amazing musicians, dancers, singers, participants and audiences to our town. If you are visiting Todmorden for the first time, we encourage you to visit the local shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants in town who so warmly and enthusiastically support our event. This festival really couldn’t happen without the backing of local businesses supporting us through advertising, sponsorship and other contributions. There are sessions, morris dancing, concerts and pop up performances galore this year; far too many to mention! We’re sure that you’ll enjoy discovering some amazing new music and rediscovering some favourites as we fill the town with music and dance. Special mention should be made, however, to the magnificent Orladh & Leo who won our Todmorden Youth Music Award earlier in the year and so will open the headline concert on Saturday night featuring the mesmerising Kate & Raphael followed by the raucous powerhouse of energy that is Sheelanagig. The Children’s Programme is also expanding and growing out of our base on Pollination Street throughout Saturday daytime. We’re excited to present street theatre in the form of The Fisherman
Fable alongside performances from the incredible Red Hippo in our Children’s Tent. On Sunday, families can also enjoy Brian Acton’s mesmerising Story Walks. Thanks to Todmorden Town Council for their ongoing support which allows us to keep our children’s festival completely free. We’ve added a new public element to the festival this year, during the day on Sunday, head over to Dale Street and enjoy the vibrancy of the Global Street Market. Supported by Calderdale Council, there will be a vibrant selection of music, dance and stalls from across the world. However we’re keen not to forget our Yorkshire roots and so are pleased to welcome firm festival favourites Alice Jones and Bryony Griffith who will be belting out songs and tunes in our afternoon concert ‘Sounds of West Yorkshire’. To end the weekend, we are absolutely delighted to present legendary Martin Simpson with support from Cobalt Tales on Sunday evening in the Todmorden Hippodrome. Over the past few years, the demand for tickets has been growing and so we’ve sadly had to say farewell to the Fielden Centre simply because there’s so many of us now! We know that you will love the beautiful Hippodrome, a perfect space to finish the festival. Whether you’re with us just for one concert, one day or the whole shebang, we’d like to say thanks to you for joining us in Todmorden.
Photo © Craig Shaw Photography
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Welcome to TODMORDEN FOLK FESTIVAL 2019