The Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, Councillor Michael Newby, officially opened the Spiegeltent on Thursday (29 May 2014) in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens.
The pop-up venue has taken on legendary proportions in the town with its annual appearance marking the start of the town’s Harrogate International Festival summer season.
The mirrored tents are rare survivors from the 19th and 20th century used by troupes of travelling entertainers in Europe. It’s one of the most stunning pop-up venues in the world, featuring mirrored walls, stained glass, red velvet seating, lamped lighting and wooden floors. There is only a handful in existence today.
Harrogate International Festivals is bringing a packed programme of live music and family events with food and bars in the Spiegeltent open daily until 7 June 2014. The event is supported by Grants for the Arts funding from Arts Council England.
It kicks off with a dedicated Children’s Festival from 29 May to 1 June, with events from Northern Ballet Theatre, Magna Science museum and the Takeaway Theatre Company.
A week-long live music festival follows, with headline acts including Gypsy Queens and the draw-dropping House of Burlesque, who will be previewing their Edinburgh show in Harrogate.
Harrogate Festival’s headline act Bellowhead, who play the Royal Hall 11 July, will also be curating a Young Musicians series in the Spiegeltent showcasing the Next Big Things in Folk music.
Sharon Canavar, CEO of Harrogate International Festivals, said: The Young Musician series is a completely free lunchtime series of concerts so it’s a great way to come down and experience the magic of the Spiegeltent.
Other confirmed acts include the electro-Swing act Kitten and The Hip, an eclectic eight piece band, Gabby Young and Other Animals, the New Orleans Jazz act, Django a la Creole, and leading British jazz bassist Gary Crosby with his band, Groundation.
The Firm of Poets will also do a set with soundscapes provided by The Housekeeping Society.
The final gig will be Nubiyan Twist – a 10 piece outfit reminiscent of the acid jazz style brought up to date for the 21st century – they’ll create a party-starting finale show.
To find out more about the acts and booking information, call Box Office: 01423 562303 or visit www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
