THE Broadstairs Folk Week gets into full swing this weekend.
The event has been attracting visitors to the town for more than 45 years.
Jo Tuffs the festival director said: "It started as a dance festival. The founding member was a man called Jack Hamilton. He was a leading light in the English Folk Dancing Society. He was looking to start a festival on the South East coast and when he got off the train here he thought it was the ideal place."
Since then the event, which runs until August 12, has grown to include folk music not only from the UK but around the world. This year, just some of the music lined up for visitors, ranges from Russian gypsy violins and Australian mountain singers and Barbara Dickson.
So what has been the secret behind the festivals long running success?
Jo said: "We have people involved who are passionate about it and willing to give their time. That is the key. People have come to see the huge value not just culturally but economically for the town."
The festival attracts traditional music fans from around the country.
Jo said: "People just love the whole week it is a big part of their lives. We now have generations who come. They may have been here when they were five or six to watch the Morris Men and now they are bringing their children and their grandchildren."
The seaside location and narrow streets of Broadstairs mean there is an event happening around every corner.
"Unlike a festival in a greenfield site with one big stage we are able to have a lot of free shows in the street and ticketed events indoors. Whatever the weather people can still enjoy things. They can go to workshops, dances, ceilidhs and concerts. About 60 per cent of the event is ticketed 40 per cent is free on the street.
"People arrive in their cars at the campsite and then don't have to use them for the rest of the week." Jo said.
Some of the other big names for this year's festival include Chumbawumba. The onetime notorious political band have put their electric days behind them and are currently creating a more acoustic vocal sound. Other artists include Boo Hewardine and folk favourites Home Service who have reunited on the back of the release of a live album.
Venues include the 600 seat marquee in Pierremont Park, Broadstairs sailing club, a Methodist Church schools, pubs and bandstands.
Jo said: "This year we have a new Baptist church centre that we are using for a lot of our young folk workshops.
"The festival does cover every generation particularly in our workforce. We have around 170 people volunteering and working together. They range from 18 to 80 so it is a great opportunity for the generations to bond with each other."
The choice of music may mainly be aimed at the folk crowd but it is a mix designed to appeal as many music fans as possible.
And dance still plays an important part. As well as traditional Morris dancing there are groups of Appalachian dancers, clog dancing and workshops in Bollywood.
The recent resurgence in home-grown talent is another attraction.
Jo said: "We are bursting at the seems with the number of acts who want to play here. There was a time when folk festivals were struggling to find young English folk acts but since people like Kate Ruzby and Seth Lakeman have broken through the scene has grown massively. We try and support the young and upcoming bands so people can come along and see what they are like."
More than 530 events are expected to take place this year with 500 musicians coming to perform during the seven days. Barbara Dickson's concert has already sold out but there are still many other interesting acts.
Jo said: "We have 17 chaps from Australia called The Spooky Mens Chorale. They are amazing and very funny. It is great to be able to get someone like that here, who would not normally come to Kent."
Another highlight is a specially commissioned work devised by Paul Sartin from the band Bellowhead.
Jo said: "It is based on the traditions of Thanet and East Kent and called Changing Landscapes. He has some really great musicians who will be playing along with a local choir. It will be a world premier so we are really looking forward to it, especially as it is so relevant to the area."
It seems the only thing limiting the success of the festival is the size of the venues although it is hoped it will never outgrow the town.
Jo said: "We would like to get a slightly bigger venue for the headline acts than we have at the moment but without moving out of Broadstairs. That is a major challenge for us each year but we need to keep the festival at a sustainable level."
To find out more about what's on at this year's folk week visit www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk
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Broadstairs Folk Festival 2011 part 1by lardenr123240 views
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