Highlights of opening weekend

Jumping jive and blistering bhangra are highlights of the opening weekend of Hebden Bridge Arts Festival.

A packed programme of dance, classical music, street entertainment, children's events, comedy and a parade will get the 17th annual Festival underway on June 26 and 27.

Festival co-ordinator Rebecca Yorke said: "There's a real mixture of events on the opening weekend and we are confident we will be able to set toes tapping and put smiles on faces."

The streets will come alive from 11am on Saturday, June 26 when street entertainment will kick off the Festival in St George's Square. This will be followed at 2pm by the third Hebden Bridge Handmade Parade, which is working in partnership with the Festival this year.

There will be the chance for fans of jive, swing and lindy-hop to get dressed up and put on their dancing shoes for the Hebden Hop on Saturday, June 26 at Mytholmroyd Community Centre. The Cadillac Kings, firm favourites on the blues and jump-jive scene, and DJ GI Jive will provide an exhilarating evening of music with refreshments from the Marvellous Tea Dance Company.

Local dance enthusiast Amy Leader said, "It's really exciting to see the Festival combining fantastic music with a swing dance. Even if you've never tried to jive, lindy hop or boogie woogie, you'll have a great night with a fabulous blues, jump jive and swing band and DJ... who knows, maybe you'll be persuaded to get your dancing shoes on!" The fun starts at 7.30pm.

The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge, will be the venue for the feel-good sounds of Kissmet on Saturday, June 26 from 9pm. The band will fuse bhangra and rock in an vibrant and energetic opening night cocktail, sponsored by the Kala Gallery.

Heptonstall Church will provide the setting for three opening weekend concerts. On Saturday, June 26 the Bouvardia Ensemble will play a programme of popular favourites and great classics from 3pm. Pianist Mutian Xu, who was a hit with audiences when she gave a solo recital in last year's Festival, will return as part of the ensemble. On Sunday, June 27 at 1pm, Hebden Bridge pianist David Nelson will give his first solo recital in his home town with music by Faure, Debussy and Chabrier. At 8pm the trio Infinite Riches will bring a recital of words and music, featuring readings by actress Carole Boyd - Lynda Snell in 'The Archers' - to round off the weekend.

Families will find much to enjoy in Horse + Bamboo's visit to Hebden Bridge Little Theatre on Sunday, June 27 at 3pm with their show 'Storm in a Teacup' and comedy fans will be able to catch rising star Tom Wrigglesworth, standing in for John Bishop, at Hebden Bridge Picture House the same evening at 8pm. Hailing from Sheffield, Tom has just won the Chortle Best Show 2010 award and was nominated for the main Edinburgh Comedy Award last August.

Contact hbfestival@gmail.com for more information.

The 2010 Festival runs from June 26 to July 11. For more information visit www.hbaf.co.uk, or pick up a brochure around Hebden Bridge over the weekend.

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