Arts festival under way as culture returns to town...

Plenty of free events taking place as Fairport Convention and others prepare to entertain

LEEK’S already vibrant and exciting entertainment scene is enjoying a massive boost this month as the town’s annual arts festival brings more than 40 extra events for culture lovers to enjoy.

Leek Arts Festival was cancelled in 2020 - and never even got off the ground in 2021 because of Covid-19.

But this year it’s back with a bang thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers who have worked hard to put together the programme of 41 attractions including national, international and local artists. Events include gigs featuring Scottish songstress and former Fairground Attraction star Eddi Reader; surrealist comic Boothby Graffoe, madcap musical comedian Scott Doonican, godfathers of folk-rock Fairport Convention, the fantastic Tri Nations Trio - supported by the Leek U3A African Drummers - local rockers Climax Blues Band, internationally renowned jazz flautist Gareth Lockrane, concerts on the bandstand at Leek’s Brough Park, comedy nights at the Foxlowe Arts Centre and at Leek Cricket Club, a free folk music day; and even a demonstration of floral art. Leek Arts Festival chairman Phil Edmeades, said: “When we were forced to cancel the 2020 festival just days before that year’s programme of events was about to kick-off we expected to be back in business the following year.

“But covid had other ideas and we had to scrap any idea of a festival in 2021 as well.

“Happily, the situation has improved enough to allow us to go ahead in 2022.

“We’re excited at the idea of people coming along to festival events and enjoying themselves, particularly as nearly half of everything in the programme is available free of charge.”

Free events in the 2022 LAF programme include The Tri Nations Trio - on stage tonight (May 4), 7.30pm at the Foxlowe Arts Centre - The Rondino String Quartet and the LAF

Folk Day, together with Blues and Americana sessions, ska events and acoustic gigs featuring local musicians at pubs across the town.

Phil added: “There are also opportunities to see artists at work in their own studios, an arts trail showcasing fine art, ceramics and photography in the windows of shops and businesses throughout Leek and a major exhibition - Astound 22 - of work by third year degree students at Leek School of Art. All these are also free of charge.”

Full details of the Leek Arts Festival 2022 programme are available at www. leekartsfestival.co.uk from where online tickets for many gigs can be purchased.

Physical tickets for most major events are also available to buy at the Foxlowe Arts Centre.