Hebden Bridge Arts Festival News: Don��t just sit there!

Don't just sit there!

If the dance floor is where you like to head, the forthcoming Hebden Bridge Arts Festival has plenty to get you out of your seat and up on your feet.

The dancing kicks off on Saturday 25 June at the Trades Club when multi-award-winning trombone star Dennis Rollins will present his latest offering, Velocity Trio. Strongly infused with jazz and swing, the outfit has a progressive, contemporary and funky edge to its sound and is guaranteed to get you grooving.

Talented new band The Collision takes to the stage at the Ted Hughes Theatre at Calder High School on Tuesday 28 June. The band has been working with musicians Dave Nelson and Lucy Conroy since April, experimenting with a range of influences, including rock, metal, hip hop, jazz and world music. The range of instruments played by the young performers is vast - from keyboards and bass to Javanese gamelan and Eastern European drums. This will be an edgy, exciting and one-off gig, so make sure you don't miss it!

And continuing the international feel, Brazilian singer-songwriter Monica Vasconcelos and her band will set the Trades Club alight on Thursday 30 June. Monica performs all over the world and has established a reputation as one of the finest exponents of samba and bossa nova. Her latest album, Vintage Brasil, blends the exuberant dance beats of Brazil with cool jazz grooves and is sure to get the crowd on its feet.

Moishe's Bagel

Audiences will have a week for their feet to recover before foot-stomping their way through a gig by Moishe's Bagel on Friday 8 July. The Scottish-based band comprises instrumentalists from Salsa Celtica, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. Their combined sound mixes klezmer, folk dance, jazz and eastern percussion, delivered with energy, passion and the soul of improvisation.

For many, the not-to-be-missed dance event of this year's Festival will be Peter Hook, former bassist with Joy Division, New Order and Monaco, who is appearing in a special double-event on Saturday 9 July. Hooky fans can hear all about his adventures in the music business at Hebden Bridge Picture House before heading round the corner to the Trades Club and dancing to his choice of music in a special dj-ing set. Tickets are limited and selling fast, so don't leave it too late.

Hebden Bridge Arts Festival 2011 is supported by Arts Council England, Hebden Royd Town Council, Calderdale Council, Sweet & Maxwell and Welcome to Yorkshire. Tickets for all events are now available from the Festival box office on Albert Street (01422 842684) or online via the Festival website at www.hbaf.co.uk where you can also sign up for regular email updates. Facebook users can also stay in touch via www.facebook.com/hbartsfestival.