Easter 2006

Subject: Easter 2006
From: GUEST,MrCute
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 07:40 AM

The line-up for the 2006 Gosport & Fareham Easter Festival (England's biggest indoor folk festival) can be viewed at http://www.gosportfestival.co.uk or via http://www.eastfest.co.uk

The Festival takes place in Fareham, Hampshire between Thursday April 13 and Monday April 17, 2006.

Artists include Waterson:Carthy; Roy Bailey; Ashley Hutchings; Brian McNeill; Feast of Fiddles; Janis Ian; Lazarus (Feat. Dave Swarbrick, Maartin Allcock & Kevin Dempsey); Michael McGoldrick; Last Night's Fun; Steve Tilston; Julie Fowlis; Emily Smith; Kerfuffle; Uiscedwr; Les Barker; George Wilson; Isambarde; Vicky Swan & Jonny Dyer; Lauren MacColl and many more.

There are informal sessions, workshops, a weekend crafts and musical instruments fayre, Late Night Festival Club and more.

Please see the website for details of individial concerts & tickets.

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: Mr Happy
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 08:08 AM

http://www.gosportfestival.co.uk

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: GUEST,Topper
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 11:17 AM

Thanks to Mr Happy for a clickable link.

It certainly looks a fine gathering of artistes at Gosport/Fareham.

Now there's no National in April I'm tempted to head to Hampshire instead.

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: Cats
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 02:49 PM

Sorry I won't be there but I have my National Trade union Conference followed by Miskin. Looks good though.

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: GUEST,FolkieDave
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 08:43 PM

Looks very good.

Isn't this one of the festivals that 'The Barden of England' always speaks highly of?

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: GUEST,The Barden of England at work
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 03:20 AM

It sure is Folkie Dave. Don't miss it if you can help it. Great value for too.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 04:17 AM

I have to admit I was dispointed on my first visit this year. No sign of the festival around the town, when I enquiired I was told the council had banned dancing in the shopping centre due to 'health and safety'. The actual concert was great, but the town was not involved at all.

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: GUEST,Hampshire Hog
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 06:28 AM

The town of Fareham has not been very supportive of the festival in the past but that's changing. There's a new town manager who is keen to have festival music and dance displays in the precinct and shopping centre next year.

As a 'local' myself I must say the Fareham & Gosport Easter Festival always sets a very high standard with its concerts programme.

The use of comfortable indoor venues with good acoustics also ensures good quality sound which brings out the best from musicians during their performances.

I go to many festivals including Chippenham, Warwick, Sidmouth and Towersey but I always enjoy the Easter festival on my own doorstep and strongly recommend it to others.

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: GUEST,Johnnie Spoons
Date: 01 Dec 05 - 06:10 AM

The Easter Festival in Fareham is great!

I always enjoy the sessions in the Ferneham Hall bar and nearby hostelries while the main concerts feature many of the best artists around.

What I particularly like about Fareham at Easter is the fact that its an indoor Festival and the main concert halls have excellent acoustics plus comfortable seating and really good facilities.

I guess the nearest comparison is Cheltenham Folk Festival but in my opinion the venues at Fareham are better quality.

I'm particularly looking forward to seeing Janis Ian in 2006.

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: Eye Lander
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 04:39 AM

Not in the south of England at Easter? - Then try Miskin at Easter in South Wales Just off the M4 J34
A small but beautifully formed little festival.

www.miskinfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: GUEST,Miskinite
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 01:55 PM

organised and attended by small but beautifully formed little people.

Can't wait..!

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: GUEST,Puzzled Pig
Date: 04 Dec 05 - 07:11 AM

I attended Miskin a couple of years ago and thought it O.K.

Certainly the people were friendly.

I went to the Fareham & Gosport festival last year and really enjoyed it.

There was more variety than at Miskin.

It's good we have a choice between such festivals at Easter.

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: GUEST,Anne & Jim
Date: 05 Dec 05 - 10:42 AM

We've been to both festivals and enjoyed them both.

Those who prefer singarounds will probably prefer Miskin.

Those who prefer concerts with well-known artistes will probably prefer the Gosport & Fareham Festival.

We've had a look a the Gosport & Fareham website for 2006 and think they've got a really interesting line-up of artistes for next Easter.

We've yet to look at Miskin but will do so before deciding whether to head for Hampshire or Wales.

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: Blowzabella
Date: 05 Dec 05 - 12:27 PM

Don't forget Lancaster at Easter for more sea shanties than you can shake a stick at. Even with no City Council funding, it is still going ahead, thanks to the enormous groundswell of support that persuaded the Council to 'allow' the organisers to organise it, purely on externally raised funds.

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: treewind
Date: 05 Dec 05 - 12:57 PM

About the only thing Gosport & Fareham has in common with Miskin is the dates.

Miskin is a weekend singaround that started booking a few guests and developing into a small friendly festival with the emphasis on participation; Gosport and Fareham is a town festival where punters go to see "big names" performing at Arts centre / theatre style venues.

Both have their places but to compare them in terms of one better than the other is meaningless - they have entrirely different agendas.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: concertina ceol
Date: 05 Dec 05 - 02:13 PM

I went in 2003 & 2004, and will probably go again this coming year. As I am pushed for time and money I now alternate this festival with Whitby. They are very different in character but for my wife who has a bad back, Gosport works well because you are guaranteed a seat in the main concert venue and very little queing - unlike Whitby where you need to arrive 20-25 minutes early for everything just to stand at the back!

Subject: RE: Easter 2006
From: Chris Green
Date: 05 Dec 05 - 02:33 PM

For what it's worth we're playing at both! Went to Miskin last year and it's a cracking intimate little festival - Gosport looks way bigger. Looking forward to 'em - variety is the spice of life and all that.

Chris