From the Chairperson. Wessex Folk Festival – 5th and 6th June 2021
Whether you’re an old friend or a new visitor, we are so very pleased to let you know that plans are well in hand for Wessex Folk Festival (WFF) 2021 – even more so because we missed you in 2020, when we sadly had to cancel this wonderful, completely free, event. We hope that you’ve all been safe and well during these tough times and that we’ll see you again on the 5th and 6th of June 2021.
Wessex Folk Festival has been running for more than 20 years. It was originally known as Weymouth Folk Festival and it was quite a small affair, running from Weymouth Pavilion. The location, the committee and the name may have changed over the years, but the ethos is the same – bring wonderful live folk music to everyone, completely free of charge.
These days, the festival runs in the historic Hope Square, and against the beautiful backdrop of Weymouth Harbour.
The weekend begins on Friday 4th June in the afternoon and runs into the evening, with local musicians hosting sessions in the pubs and cafes. Everyone is welcome to join in, play, sing or just enjoy it all. On Saturday and Sunday, both stages will be full all day, hosting more than 20 solo singers, duos and bands. The Morris dancers bring a splash of vibrancy, the stalls and traders sell all sorts of goodies, and food and drink is available all along the harbour-side – the atmosphere is electric!
Skilled musicians run workshops in the various pubs and cafes for all to enjoy, and the popular Ceilidh will be back in Hope Church, with a Children’s Ceilidh session beforehand.
WFF is particularly keen to support young musicians and in 2021 we’ll shine a spotlight on Young Music.
To Apply as a Young Musician to Perform go Here.
Of course, we can’t leave out the – er – more mature musicians, and you’ll find them on the Codger’s stage (working title!) – look out for more details of both of these stages. They’ll be worth catching.
We’re very pleased to announce that we’re on the way to gaining charitable status, which we hope will help with our funding and with our future aims.
Dorset has a wealth of talent and a great folk music tradition that is very much alive in our towns and villages – folk clubs, buskers, sing-arounds, Morris sides, clog dancers – you’ll find them all here
It just remains for me to wish you all a safe and enjoyable experience with Wessex Folk Festival 2021.
Have a good time!
Eileen
Eileen Bramley
Chairperson, Wessex Folk Festival
WFF Corona Virus Policy: The safety and well-being of all those involved with Wessex Folk Festival is our main priority. A full risk assessment will be completed and we will ensure that all safety measures are implemented.