WOW Festival has announced the headliner for the 14th June as singer-songwriter, blues performer and chart topper Sandi Thom.
WOW ran an acoustic competition in order to give local girls the opportunity to perform as Sandi’s support act. We were overwhelmed by talent, and chose four local girls to perform on the opening night on the same stage as Sandi.
Women Out West Festival is the brainchild of Cumbrian musician and singer/songwriter Judith Jones. After watching a DVD of Lilith Fair the female artist concert series and travelling music festival founded by Sarah McLachlan in North America, Judith was inspired to create a UK based equivalent. The purpose of the festival is to encourage women to find their voice in the arts, and not to conform to current media stereotypes of artistes, especially musicians and singers. We hope the festival will provide role models and inspiration which will encourage women of all ages to explore their own creativity. Whether it is through learning to play an instrument, writing poetry or becoming involved in painting or photography.
Judith has already attracted a dedicated team to help put the festival together, including Donna Brookes, graphic designer and photographer, Sarah Lamb, Accountant, Christine Robins of Florence Mine and Jude Graham of Broadview Music.
The festival will appeal to a wide cross section of the community, as there will be poetry, music and songwriting workshops and art exhibitions and competitions, as well as art and craft stalls.
The art, poetry, workshops and acoustic music part of the festival will take place at Florence Mine Arts Centre in Egremont. Florence Mine is collaborating with WOW in making this festival happen. They are also providing use of the Arts Centre and grounds gratis throughout the entire weekend. The headline acts female fronted acts will take place each evening over the weekend, at Egremont Market Hall.
Objectives:
- To encourage and empower Cumbrian women of all ages to become involved in artistic activities by organising an annual festival of workshops, exhibitions and musical events, which will be dedicated to female participation in the Arts.
- To provide a platform for women in Cumbria, to perform and exhibit their creativity.
Egremont Market Hall
The evening concerts will start on Friday 14th June with the Viva Vox Rock Choir, followed by the winners of the acoustic competition to support Sandi Thom; Sarah Jackson, Bella Cooper, Heather Dempsey and Emma Dockeray. The headline act is award winning Sandi Thom, who is very supportive of the festival.
Saturday 15th June see the blues/rock ladies take to the stage with Black Wolf Run and Judith Jones Band; headlining the night will be one of the UK’s most formidable and popular blues vocalists, Connie Lush & Blues Shouter.
Sunday 16th June will see acts such as Katfish, and festival veterans Kitchie Wud and Eden’s Daughter. Headline act will be Carlisle blues and jazz saxophonist Roz Sluman alongside her band Fusionhead, who will be joined once again by the Viva Vox Rock Choir in an astounding gospel infused finish to the festival.
Florence Mine
We have lined up a huge variety of entertainment for Florence Mine including female Morris dancing troupe Belfagen, female jazz band, The Honey Collective and a female string quartet playing popular classics. The acoustic acts performing through the day at Florence include Paper Cranes, Café Society, Emma Dockeray, Sarah Jackson, Heather Dempsey, Viva Vox Rock Choir, Katy–Lou, Bella Cooper, Aly & Gerard with more to be confirmed.
There will be lots of entertainment for the family including Magical Mel and her Relax kids fairy workshops, Wild Zucchinis Food stall, poetry, singing, drawing and music workshops, Qigong and Shamanic Therapeutic Healing workshops and art exhibitions and sculptors from around the county. There will also be a variety of trade stalls.
Throughout the day of 15th and 16th of June there will be activities going on at Egremont Market Hall, these will include our unique ‘Goddess Village’ where local therapists will be offering taster sessions in Indian Head Massage, back and shoulder massages and aromatherapy and homeopathic remedies. There will also be a variety of stalls offering delights as diverse as handmade soaps and oils, and a local hairdresser will even be offering “feather hair extensions”.
Full weekend tickets are £45, which includes all 3 concerts and everything at Florence including workshops. Day ticket prices are Friday £20, Saturday £15 and Sunday £15. Florence Mine only weekend ticket is £10, children under 14 are free.
Tickets are on sale online here and from Swain Hairdressing, and Strange Fruit in Whitehaven, Florence Mine, Lowes Court Gallery and Crazy Horse in Egremont, or by phoning our Box Office on 01946 841034.
