A week-long festival of live music in a legendary Spiegeltent rocks Harrogate from 31 May.
Part of the Harrogate International Festivals 2013 programme, the Spiegeltent brings an eclectic mix of funk, soul, funk and jazz includes a set with DJ Craig Charles of Red Dwarf and Coronation Street fame, The Gypsy Queens and The Demon Barbers.
There are only a handful of Spiegeltents left in the world. The unique hand-hewn tents are built of wood, mirrors, canvas, leaded glass and detailed in velvet and brocade, each has its own personality and style. The venue comes complete with a bar. Festival-goers are invited to grab a bite and a beer and relinquish their earthly worries.
Located at Crescent Gardens, Harrogate, visitors are expected to flock to the 20th century travelling dance hall, bar and entertainment saloon, if only to check out the unique venue.
The Spiegeltent festival starts in sultry style on Friday 31 May at 8pm with Benoit Viellefon and His Orchestra, the leading vintage dance ensemble that promise the romance, flair and fanfair of Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway.
On Saturday 1 June at 8pm, there’s an evening of jazz with the MOBO Award Winner and Mercury nominated jazz pianist and composer Zoe Rahman.
Sunday 2 June at 7pm sees a celebration of young and unsigned bands from across the region. Then blast away the Monday blues with Polly and the Billets Doux at 8pm where blues, country, folk, soul and gospel combine to create a sumptuous sound.
Wednesday 5 June, sees the band that the A-listers book. Fans include Robert DeNiro, Prince Harry and David Beckham. The Gypsy Queens are a truly irrepressible musical force. You’ll kick yourself if you miss it.
Start the weekend early on a school night with BBC DJ Craig Charles on the decks supported by Mark Ronson’s horn section, The Haggis Horns, for a Funk ‘n’ Soul Night on Thursday 6. Friday evening welcomes Smoove and Turrell, playlisted for BBC Radio 2, with their unique northern funk.
On Saturday 8 at 8pm, it’s time to hold on to your haircuts as the Best Live Act and BBC Folk Award winners, The Demon Barbers take centre stage for the most exciting folk, hip hop, break-dancing spectacular of the year.
The Spiegeltent also homes a bespoke Children’s Festival, with a long-weekend starting 31 May.
Harrogate International Festivals also delivers the Raworths Literature and Lecture Series, Europe’s biggest crime wave, the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, an eclectic Festival Fringe and a month long programme of classical and contemporary music.
Highlights include Tim Rice, Susan Hill, Richard and Judy, Michael Palin, Ian Rankin, Brenda Blethyn, Lesley Garrett, Jacqui Dankworth, Lianne La Havas, Oddsocks, The Fabulous Baker Brothers, Ruth Rendell, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra…and more.
Visit www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com for the full programmes.
Box Office: By phone: 01423 562 303, In person: 32 Cheltenham Parade, HG1 1DB. 10am-5pm, Mon-Sat. Online: www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
