Richmond is poised for its first ever MayFest this coming bank holiday weekend - a community festival of historical and traditional music in what has to be the perfect setting. There’s a host of musical delights, and a lot of it is homegrown local talent from both professional and community groups - truly “may-ed” in Richmond!
Not to be missed are the three concerts. Pellingmans’ Saraband are Jacob Herringman and Susanna Pell, internationally famous early music performers who are based in Richmond. They have put together a special programme inspired by the popular walk along the river from Richmond to Easby. As a perfect prelude to their concert, you’re invited to walk the walk, with musical accompaniment from The Ran Tanners - our free musical promenade sets off from The Station at 4pm this Saturday 30th April, and there will be tea and cakes on arrival in Easby, before the concert in St Agatha’s at 5pm.
After the concert with Pellingmans’ Saraband, return to Richmond and grab a bite to eat before the second concert of the day: GreenMatthews and ‘A Brief History of Music’. This kicks off at 7.30pm in St Mary’s in Richmond, and is a highly entertaining and virtuosic romp through six hundred years of music!
Our third MayFest concert is on Monday at 5pm, again in St Mary’s in Richmond. It’s a fantastic programme with the Richmondshire Choral Society and guest singers, featuring choruses from The Messiah and Richmond’s own ‘Cantique 950’, composed for the town’s 950th birthday last year.
For something a bit different, there’s the MayFest Ceilidh on Sunday at 7pm in Richmond Town Hall, with local ceilidh band Blind Panic. Tickets are selling fast, so get yours now to avoid disappointment!
And there’s loads more entertainment all weekend with free performances in the Market Place, Town Hall and Station, the MayFest Tavern in Richmond Castle, folk sessions, morris dancing, maypole dancing, and even a chance to have a go on the bagpipes with our beginners’ taster session… Local medieval minstrels Trouvere will be leading the merry band of musicians, dancers and entertainers! Check out the full programme at richmondmayfest.org
Locals should take note especially that there is a 50% discount on concert and ceilidh tickets for residents in the DL9, DL10 and DL11 postcodes - and locals also get free admission to Richmond Castle all weekend. Please carry proof of address for admission and concert discounts.
Tickets are available online at richmondmayfest.org/tickets and in person from Richmond Information Centre in the indoor market hall; ceilidh tickets are also available from Richmond Brewing Company at The Station.
Richmond MayFest is supported by Richmondshire District Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the members of The Original Richmond Business & Tourism Association.
For further information, please visit www.richmondmayfest.org