Motoring & LeisureEventsEvents in Wales & WestBath International Music Festival plans to party! Bath International Music Festival plans to party!
23/01/2008
Bath Festivals have revealed initial plans for a major Party in the City to mark the opening of the 2008 Bath International Music Festival.
This year the Festival has much to celebrate – not least of all its 60th anniversary – and plans are already under way to put on the biggest and best FREE party the City has yet seen on Friday 23 May.
Led by Artistic Director, Joanna MacGregor, and Chief Executive, Nod Knowles, the festival team are building on the successes of last year’s big free concerts in Bath Abbey, the Pump Room and at the Pavilion, and musicians, artists and arts organisations from across the region have been invited to take part in 2008.
Already 30 participating performers and organisations have signed up to appear at the Party in the City. The region’s wonderfully rich and diverse cultural life will be showcased through performances ranging from students from the two universities, to young people from The Egg, to B&NES School Orchestras. Plus Bath Camerata, the Bath Film Festival and Suited and Booted, local Bell ringers, and Bath Minerva Choir, to name just a few at this early stage.
Events will again take place in the Pump Room, The Abbey and the Pavilion, but also at the Royal United Hospital, Green Park Station, the Forum, Prior Park and the Cross Bath as well as a number of churches and other venues, and on the City’s streets.
The Abbey concert will start with a children’s procession, organised in conjunction with local schools as a Festival education project. The Pavilion - which last year had queues snaking around the building as people waited good-humouredly to hear Courtney Pine – will host a big-name Latin American gig this year. Details will be announced nearer to the date.
There is still plenty of time to get involved with Bath Music Festival’s Party in the City, and event co-ordinator Caroline Thibeaud is keen to hear from all interested musicians, bands and organisations. This is also an excellent opportunity for bars, restaurants and shops, too, perhaps by hosting live music or offering special festival deals or menus to entice in the crowds in the City on the night.
Bath International Music Festival will co-ordinate and publicise the entire event. Participants will take full responsibility for all aspects of organising, producing and funding their event. The key feature of any Party in the City events being that they are free to the public. Anyone interested in participating should contact Caroline Thibeaud, email: caroline.thibeaud@bathfestivals.org.uk as soon as possible.
Bath International Music Festival will take place from Wednesday 21 May to Saturday 7 June, inclusive. Brochures giving full details of all events will be available from March 2008. Visit Bath Festivals Box Office, 2 Church Street, Abbey Green, Bath, BA1 1NL tel: 01225 463362 or email: boxoffice@bathfestivals.org.uk for further information or visit the website linked at the bottom of this page .