Andy MunnsHomington International Arts Festival has announced the programme for the inaugural festival.
The arts festival will be held at St Mary’s Church, Homington, from Friday, September 6th, until Sunday, September 8th.
Snooker supremo Steve Davis brings his group, The Utopia Strong, to headline the Saturday night.
As well as Steve on modular synth, the band also features Kavus Torabi (Gong/Cardiacs) on guitar, harmonium and Michael J York (Coil, Medieval Baebes) on pipes, modular synth, and percussion.
The Utopia Strong has just released their critically acclaimed BBC6 Sessions album. Expect synths, pipes, and guitars combining in cosmic dronescapes and ambient explorations – all filling the space of the beautiful St Mary’s Church.
“A triumph of foraging spontaneity….flowing freely with gathering nuance and texture from a combination of sequencers, samplers, guitars, harmoniums, pipes and the like” – Classic Rock Magazine
Support comes from classical violinist Brian Wright, playing Bach, Vaughan Williams and other solo violin pieces.
The festival kicks off on the Friday evening with Hampshire-born folk legend Maggie Holland.
Maggie has released several records over a decades-long career, solo and with acts like Hot Vultures and the English Country Blues Band.
Her banjo and guitar playing accompanies songs from the folk canon as well as her own material. Her songs have been recorded by, amongst others, Martin Carthy and June Tabor, and she won the BBC2 Folk Song Of The Year Award with ‘A Place Called England’
“Proof that outstanding contemporary songs are still being written” -Colin Irwin, fRoots Magazine
The Festival is the brainchild of musicians and Homington residents Chlöe Herington and Craig Fortnam, both familiar with putting on gigs and concerts in London and beyond with their own projects.
Indeed Chlöe’s experimental folk duo VÄLVĒ will support Maggie on the Friday.
Chloe and Craig were both keen to use the church for an arts-based event, to contribute to the village community and to raise money for the upkeep of the Grade 2 listed 14th-century building.
As well as the two evening concerts, there are daytime events on Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday 7th at 1 pm features a talk and demonstration of the History of the Tango by new Homington residents Kate and Yuri, aka ‘Meta Fierro Tango’.
At midday on Sunday 8th, the Wiltshire-based classical guitarist Fernando Aguera will be playing South American and Baroque music.
To close the Festival at 3 pm is a Spoken Word and Music concert featuring local poets, Homington resident storytellers, and music by Craig Fortnam, Emily Jones and Chlöe Herington.
Throughout the Festival, Homingon-based artist Jeffrey Walker will exhibit sculpture in the church, while abstract artist Maria Brookes will host an open studio.
TICKETS
Full weekend pass £50 Evening events £20 Daytime events £7.50
Tickets can be purchased here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/homington-international-arts-festival-tickets-904384497377
David Harber
