A brilliant range of free entertainments for all the family including story-telling, Maypole dancing, Tom Foolery and music, in and around the town centre, is on offer at MayFest on 29 and 30 April and 1 May plus two great concerts and two chances to dance, at four ticketed events.
The headline act this year is Janice Burns and Jon Doran. These two wonderful young folk musicians, based in the North East, are widely acclaimed for their compelling storytelling, which comes alive through tight vocal harmonies and sensitive interplay between mandolin, bouzouki, and guitar. Their arrangements have a spellbinding presence and an understated energy that transports their songs from the pages of books and manuscripts into the imagination of the listener. Janice and Jon are supported by celebrated local folk musician Nick Brooker and are playing their music at the historic St Agatha’s Church in Easby, 5pm on Saturday 29 April.
Plus, following on from a huge success at last year’s Richmond MayFest, the concert will again be preceded by a musical walk from The Station in Richmond along the Swale to Easby – all welcome!
Later on Saturday, at 7.30pm, the Richmondshire Choral Society (RCS) present ‘Elijah’ at St Mary’s Church. This piece is close to their hearts, as the concert is dedicated to the memory of soprano Janet Hall, former Chair of the RCS and the all-round driving force. Elijah was a favourite which Janet was keenly anticipating singing, before sadly passing away last year.
As for dancing, Sunday 30 April is the MayFest Day of Dance, in association with Richmond on Swale Morris Men, who have organised their annual get-together of morris dancers from across the region to coincide with MayFest.
If you have ever fancied ‘getting your Strictly on’, join the MayFest Tea Dance, organised in association with the AB Tea Dance Orchestra. Come along to Richmond Town Hall at 2pm on Sunday 30 April to enjoy Ballroom and Latin dances with the live orchestra and singer. Fabulous dancers will take eager beginners through some basic steps for each dance! Tea Dances are for all, so you can come on your own or bring a partner, or a whole group of friends and beginners and pros are equally welcome.
Amazing local band Blind Panic again head up this year’s MayFest Ceilidh on Sunday evening at 7pm. Last year’s Ceilidh was a real hit and this year’s promises to be even bigger and better at its larger venue of Richmond School.
So, you will find dancing happening on all sides in Richmond that day – with two chances to join in.
You can get tickets for all the paid events online or in person from the Richmond Information Centre in the Market Hall, or during the weekend itself from the MayFest info point in the Market Place. Accompanied children under 16 go free to all, whilst local residents of all ages residing in DL9, DL10 and DL11 get a tasty discount plus free entry to all the events in Richmond Castle, courtesy of English Heritage.
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Richmond MayFest is supported by Richmondshire District Council’s Community Investment Fund and the Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association.