Traditional and new wave at Warwick folk festival this weekend

International performers will be appearing on the main stage in the grounds of Warwick School although, as ever, the festival will spill out onto the street with at least two days and nights of free entertainment - starting with a procession at 2.45pm tomorrow (Saturday) when mummers and Morris dancing teams will join forces.

This so called “Grand Gathering” of traditional folk musicians will wind round Swan Street and into Smith Street, where there is a craft market, and end up in Market Place where there will be two free evening concerts tomorrow and Sunday.

Meanwhile, the latest exponents of the ever-evolving folk tradition - bands like Salsa Celtica, Show of Hands and the Peatbog Faeries - will be down at the school demonstrating where the music goes in the 21st century.

Festival goers needn’t worry about that. A free bus will carry them between the town and the school in Myton Road at regular intervals.

Main organiser Dick Dixon says there is now a substantial “festival fringe,” with circus skills, music workshops and mime artists around every corner. He hopes even more families will come along this year - especially those who may be suspicious of folk and think it isn’t for them.

Dick, who lives in Coventry but has been granted the Freedom of Warwick in reward for his years of boosting the town’s image, said: “We’ve got a lot more entertainment in the school grounds this year and are offering £4 tickets into the site between 10am and 6pm so that parents can come in and bring their children to enjoy all the activities free of charge.”

Last night (Thurs) and tonight the eccentric Spooky Men’s Chorale are due to perform in the main marquee, combining genial buffoonery with testosterone-laden vocals calculated to curl the hairs on the back of the necks of most audiences.

The Australian outfit who are a bridge between folk, jazz and stand-up comedy, are already a sell-out on most of their UK dates. Festival organisers are delighted to have them as an opening act in this year’s bigger-than-ever event which runs from Thursday until Sunday night.

For a full programme of events visit www.warwickfolkfestival.co.uk or call the Bridge House Threatre box office on 01926 776438.