Knaresborough’s 2015 feva Programme is launched

Knaresborough 20 July 2015 – The free feva Programme is now available in shops, restaurants, pubs, the tourist office and Knaresborough.

This year’s Programme features more than 60 shows, concerts, plays, talks, walks, street entertainment and workshops, plus art shows and special menu options. All are detailed in the Programme along with ticket prices and booking details of how to book. Alternatively, festival-goers can get information from www.feva.info.com

About a third of the events, like all the street entertainment, are free and much else is available at tickets prices that are mostly below £15 and plays and talks are £10 or less.

Held annually, feva is being staged for the 15th year. It is a not-for-profit event held over 10 days, 14-23 August, and is organised by volunteers.

Knaresborough’s Urban Beach – Henshaws – throughout feva

Throughout feva festival-goers will be able to again enjoy the Urban Beach in the lively setting of Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre. Sand, games, loungers, chairs and tables; enjoy food and drink from Henshaws’ cafe and listen to music. Find out what entertainment is available each day on the Beach on www.feva.info

Online bookings

Online bookings can be made via www.feva.info for certain events signalled below by @.

Friday 14 August

Bob’s Your Uncle – Market Place – 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm

feva opens at noon with fabulous family fun and magic from this ever popular entertainer, Bob’s Your Uncle. Free

Scarecrow Making Workshops – Studio 3 – at 10 am and at 2 pm

Lots of creative scarecrow activities for children aged five and over. Parents welcome. All scarecrows can be entered in Sunday’s competition. Price includes materials. Direct telephone bookings only on 07966 173636. £3.50

Martin Carthy – Frazer Theatre – 8 pm

Described by Q Magazine as “arguably the greatest English folk song performer, writer, collector and editor,” Martin Carthy’s skill and natural charm have won him an army of admirers across the world. His 40-year career was recognised with the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award at the 2014 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. £12 @

Lions’ Beer Festival – Knaresborough House – 7 pm

Knaresborough Lions Club’s annual three-day beer festival kicks off in support of feva, with a wonderful selection of real ales from around the country. Live music from Dougie Brister. Free entry

Saturday 15 August

feva Busk Stop – Market Square – 11 am to 4 pm

Drop by our ‘Busk Stop’ in the Market Square to enjoy a range of local musicians who will be stopping by over the course of the day to entertain the crowds. See www.feva.com for schedule. Free

Bellydance Workshop – The Taste Gallery, Henshaws – 11 am

Taster session in the beautiful art of belly dancing. Learn some basic moves and put them together with mesmerising sounds from the Middle East. Suitable for all levels and fitness. Booking details on 07946041795. £3

Lions’ Beer Festival – Knaresborough House – 12 noon

Second day of the Lions’ Beer Festival, featuring the best of British beer, staged in partnership with feva. Live music in the afternoon from Now and Then, and in the evening from Acousticzone. Free to enter

Jazz in the Garden – Carriages 12 noon to 5 pm

Relax in the garden at Carriages with the smooth, cool sound of live jazz. £9.95. BBQ available at extra cost @

Acoustic Jam – Cross Keys – 1 pm

Acoustic Jam. Bring an instrument; bring your voice; completely informal; 100% unplugged. Free

History Wardrobe’s Fairytale Fashion – Frazer Theatre – 2 pm

Step into your favourite stories to explore the world of magical clothes – red riding hoods, cloaks of invisibility and legendary glass slippers. Discover the enchanting history of the ‘Princess dresses’, from Cinderella’s ball gown to Princess Diana and Disney. £8 @

Gloria – St John’s Church – 7.30 pm

Music from St John’s Choir and friends. Further programme details can be found at stjohnschoir.org.uk. £6 and £4 concessions

Saturday Night Burlesque feva – Henshaws – 7.30 pm

The return of our annual burlesque evening with Lily la Belle. Tantalising art meets risqué glamour with an eclectic mix of fun, froth and fantasy! £12, booking essential @

Swing Commanders – Frazer Theatre – 8 pm

feva favourites the Swing Commanders return with their exciting mix of 1940s classics, boogie-woogie, western swing and jump jazz. A stunning show, not to be missed. £12 @

Sunday 16 August

feva Eucharist – St John’s Church – 10.30 am

Schubert’s Mass in G performed liturgically by St John’s Choir and members of Knaresborough ProMusica. Free

A Folk Dance Experience – Marketplace – 12 noon

Black, red & veiled, blue & white – and gothic! Flag and Bone, Betty Luptons Ladle Laikers and Medusa, three of our very best and colourful local groups, performing their different styles of Morris dancing. Free

Lions’ Beer Festival – Knaresborough House – 12 noon to 5 pm

Pot luck day of the Lions’ Beer Festival starting at noon and lasting until to beer runs out or 5 pm. Music from Dougie Brister. Free entry

Knaresborough Silver Band – Knaresborough House – 1 pm

Toast the winners of the North of England section of the Regional Brass Band Contest with a beer in the grounds of Knaresborough House, as our very own Silver Band prepare for the National Championship. Free

Open Day – Knaresborough Allotments – 1.30 pm

Vote for your favourite scarecrow, solve the quiz, enjoy cream teas, a produce stall and other activities. Help make a giant scarecrow for the orchard. Entry includes quiz sheet. £2 per family, pay on entry

Town Criers Competition – Marketplace – 2 pm

Town criers, from places far and wide, come to Knaresborough to take part in this popular annual competition dressed in traditional attire. Sponsored by Bowers Funeral Directors. Free

Open Mic Day – Carriages – 2 pm to 10.30 pm

Plenty of musical fun and variety at Carriages’ Open Mic sessions. Book slots in advance. Call 01423 867041. Free

Two Well Worn – The Old Royal Oak – 3 pm

Two Well Worn are a male vocal harmony duo performing in the afternoon. Free

The Magic Lantern Show – Frazer Theatre – 6.30 pm

Join QAMAR 14 as the dance group dives into the world of Middle Eastern dance, brought to life with old-style storytelling that hints of a magical world of mesmerising dance and costume. £10, £8 concessions @

Monday 17 August

Animal Masks Workshop – Library – 10.30 am to 12.45 pm

Create, colour and decorate masks using feathers, beads, felt and other materials with Green Dragon Crafts. Suitable for age seven and upwards. Ticket price includes materials and refreshments. £10. Book in advance at kathymallday@gmail.co.uk

Rapide Brothers – Marketplace – 11 am and 2 pm

Internationally renowned clowns, Izzo and Malteser, bring a feast of circus fun to the Market Square. Free

In Days of Old When Knights were Bold – Library/Castle – 2.30 pm

Join Storytrail for tales of brave knights and courageous damsels! Starting at the Library and ending at the Castle (tour included). For children aged 5 to 8 (must be accompanied). Free but advance booking required at the Library 0845 3005112

Clogarhythm – Marketplace – 6.30 pm

Traditional English step & clog dancing, expertly performed by this popular local group. Free

Pigs Might Fly – Library – 7.30 pm

After five years away, the young couple who ran The Inn at the Top return. Stumbling from one crisis to another they somehow transform the inn from a decrepit, local curiosity into a thriving, nationally-famous inn. £5 @

Ben Ottewell – Frazer Theatre – 8 pm

When Gomez won the Mercury Prize in 1998, lead singer and guitarist Ben Ottewell was described as their “not so secret weapon” by Rolling Stone, while GQ Magazine wrote his unmistakable voice is “not of this world.” Ben is now wowing audiences with his beautifully poetic solo shows. Support from special guests, The Paper Waits. £12 @

Tuesday 18 August

Swarm of Bees Print Workshop – Knaresborough Castle – 10 am

Bee part of this unique record attempt to print thousands of honeybees and learn how to help our British bees. To make a bee block and print as many bees as you can. Honeybee-themed face painting and storytelling. £2

Musical Instrument Making Workshop – Library – 10.30 am to 12.45 pm

Use materials from nature – seeds, pasta, rise, wooden containers and leather – to make instruments with Green Dragon Crafts. Suit age seven and upwards. Ticket price includes materials and refreshments. £10. Book in advance at kathymallday@gmail.co.uk

Properpunch – Market Square – 11.30 am, 1 and 2.30 pm

Traditional Punch & Judy with all the trimmings – policemen, babies, crocodiles and more! Free

Death Comes to Knaresborough – Library – 2 pm to 4 pm

Are you the new PD James, Ian Rankin or Gillian Flynn? Get inspired at this Crime Writing Workshop led by CWA short-listed author Bernie Crosthwaite and find out how to create thrilling, page-turning, mystery fiction. £7 @

Art and Yorkshire; from Turner to Hockney – Library – 7 pm

Curator of the Mercer Art Gallery, Jane Sellars, will talk about her recent book Art and Yorkshire which blends art history and autobiography to explore art inspired by Yorkshire. £5 @

Dance feva – Frazer Theatre – 7.15 pm

A vibrant performance of song and dance by the talented youngsters of Studio 3 Dance Workshop. £5, concessions £4 @

Wednesday 19 August

Puppets from Jumpers Workshop – Library – 10.30 am to 12.45 pm

Make puppets from recycled woolly jumpers with Green Dragon Crafts. Ticket price includes materials and refreshments. Suitable for seven year olds and above. £10. Book in advance at kathymallday@gmail.co.uk

Archaeology Explorer Day – Castle and Museum – 12.30 to 3.30 pm

Become an archaeologist for the day. Free

Orb Live Extravaganza – Orb (by the Frazer Theatre) – 1 to 7 pm

Hear live bands and DJs; experience amazing sound and lights; see the Artspace exhibition; play fairground games and win a recording session, and taste exotic food from the Orb Green Garden. Free

Knitting for Absolute Beginners Workshop – Library – 2 to 4.15 pm

Knit purses and mobile phone covers with Green Dragon Crafts. Suit age seven and above. Ticket price includes materials and refreshments. £10. Book in advance at kathymallday@gmail.co.uk

Peter Pan – Castle Grounds – 2.30 pm

Studio 3 presents Peter, the story of the boy who never grew up, with fairies, mermaids, Indians and pirates, in the delightful setting of Knaresborough Castle Grounds, performed by youngsters from 3 years old. Free

History Wardrobe’s Gothic for Girls – Frazer Theatre – 7.30 pm

feva is delighted to host the premiere of this new presentation showcasing sinister women and the enduring lure of black in fashion. It includes shiveringly beautiful costumes and darkly dramatic readings from the best of British ‘gothic’ writing. £8 @

Chorus Crew – Cross Keys – 3pm

Join The Chorus Crew as they sing a mix of unaccompanied sea shanties and folk songs, with choruses perfect for audience participation! Free

Quiz Night – Carriages – 7.30 pm

Test your local and general knowledge with Carriages’ ‘five-round’ fun quiz. £50 Carriages voucher for the winner. Free

The Rozzers – Knaresborough Working men’s Club – 8 pm

The Police were arguably the hottest group on the planet during their short career (1977-83), and the Rozzers pay tribute to their impressive back catalogue in a stunning live show. Front man Owen James delivers each classic hit with an uncanny resemblance to Sting. £12 @

Thursday 20 August

Swarm of Bees Print Workshop – Knaresborough Castle – 10 am

Paper and Card Workshop – Library 10.30 am to 12.45 pm

Create fantastic cards and gift tags with supa dupa dye cutting and embossing machine and Green Dragon Crafts. Suitable for those seven and above. Ticket price includes materials and refreshments. £10. Book in advance at kathymallday@gmail.co.uk

The Great Mandavi – Market Square – 11 am, 1 and 3 pm

The Great Mandavi is back! And with a brand new, unmissable show – eggstreme (extreme?) juggling, balloon modelling and the Walk of Death!!! Free

The Tiger Who Came to Tea – Library – 2.15 pm

Taking children on an engaging musical journey, Project Jam Sandwich bring to life Judith Kerr’s classic tale ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’. An introduction to four different string instruments and a huge variety of percussion, children will have a go at conducting and trying out all the exciting instruments while creating a musical backdrop to this fantastic story. Recommended for 5 to 10 year olds. £3 @

An Appetite for Violets – Knaresborough Library – 7 pm

Martine Bailey will talk about her inspirations when writing this utterly compelling historical novel of food, obsession and mystery, described by Fay Weldon as ‘culinary gothic’. £5 @

The Blarge – Carriages – 7.30 pm

Join The Blarge – in 3-piece format – for Celtic songs, tunes and ceilidh dancing (instruction provided). All the songs, all the tunes, all the dances and all the craic! Book direct with venue on 867041/ bookings@carriageswinebar.co.uk. £5 @

Cabaret Plus – Gracious Street Methodist Church – 7.30 pm

Cabaret Plus, a band from the famous All Souls Orchestra in London, presents a captivating mix of West End songs and entertaining words around the theme of love – truly a programme to delight and inspire. £10, children £7 @

Project Jam Sandwich – Henshaws – 8 pm

A dynamic folk quintet made up of award-winning musicians, Project Jam Sandwich jam up a storm of fusion folk from around the world. From Bulgaria to South Africa to Scotland, they concoct a captivating set of exhilarating improvisations, scorching rhythms and beautiful melodies. As heard on BBC Radio 3. £10 @

Friday 21 August

Animation Magic – Knaresborough Library – 10 am to 2 pm

Master Animator Virpi Kettu, animator of Wallace and Gromit, Creature Comforts and Shaun the Sheep, will lead a hands-on, stop-motion animation workshop for young people aged 12 and over. £10 @

Pif Paf Theatre Co – Market Square – 11 am, 1 and 3 pm

Enter the wonderful world of bees with guides Bombus & Borage and their amazing mobile Bee Cart. The 3pm performance includes the Waggle Dance Workshop! Free

The Adventures of Gus and Barney – Henshaws – 2 pm

Local children’s book author, Pamela Currie, reads from one of her book on the amazing adventures of Gus and Barney. Based on true events at the author’s riverside cottage in Knaresborough. Free

Two’s Company – Chain Lane Hub – 7.30 pm

Young dancers from Greenwich at their best: the freshest, funkiest contemporary work around at the moment. £6 @

Take That Forever – Henshaws – 8 pm

With vast amounts of experience between them in the entertainments industry, Take That Forever are fast becoming the number one second-best thing to the real deal. Five amazing voices, five great personalities and one unbeatable show equals one fantastic night out not to be missed. £11 @

Saturday 22 August

Neil Bradley-Smith – Market Square – 11 am, 1 and 3 pm

Local magician Neil Bradley-Smith brings his Covent Garden-style street show to feva for the very first time. Packed with magic and comedy, plus the oldest trick in the world. Free

Medieval Family Day – Knaresborough Castle and Museum – 11 am to 4 pm

Medieval Family Day. Enjoy a medieval battle tournament, archery and birds of prey. Have a go at sword-fighting, hobbyhorse jousting, crafts and much more! Activities range from free to £3.

Picnic in the Park – Knaresborough House grounds – 12 noon to 5 pm

feva’s fantastic free, open-air concert in this stunning natural amphitheatre. Hosted by the brilliant DJ Trev, this year’s bands include Backyard Bisons, Stax and the Detours. There are no food or drink stalls so please bring your own. Sponsored by Knaresborough Lions. Free

Four Shadows Theatre Tour – Meet at Market Cross – 4 pm

Come with Four Shadows Theatre on a non-historical, mildly accurate, completely made-up, yet highly informative tour of the Town. Discover new secrets and learn the truth behind the Savage Beast of Knaresborough. Free

Roger McGough – Henshaws – 7.30 pm

feva presents Roger McGough, often described as Britain’s best loved poet and a leading member of the Liverpool Poets, reading his own work at Henshaws. £15 @

Jackhammer – Cross Keys – 8.30 pm

Harrogate-based band Jackhammer play all the best rock covers. Free

Sunday 23 August

feva Walk – Meet at Market Cross – 10 am

A walk from the town into the countryside. Not suitable for disabled or for pushchairs. Free

Swarm of Bees Print Workshop – Knaresborough Castle – 11 am

Bee part of this unique record attempt to print thousands of honeybees and learn how to help our British bees. Learn to make a bee block and print as many bees as you can, £2

Bob’s Your Uncle – Market Square – 12, 1 , 2 and 3pm

The hugely popular Bob is back for this final day of feva with his riotous mix of family fun and magic. Free

Cadenza in Concert – the Dower House – 12 noon

A concert featuring the beautiful singing voices of Cadenza, plus lunch and coffee in the spectacular surroundings of the Dower House. £15 @

£1 Entry Day – Knaresborough Castle – 11am to 4pm

Enjoy the Castle, Sallyport and Museum for only £1 per person to celebrate Knaresborough’s feva festival. Also take part in Swarm of Bees Workshop – £2 each to make a Bee Block and Print.

feva Beach Party – Henshaws – 4.30 pm

Join us to celebrate the end of feva 2015 with live music and fantastic food at the feva beach party. Like on Facebook, follow on Twitter and keep an eye on www.feva.info for announcements of this year’s special performers. £15, children £10