RUBY RETURNS TO THE DART MUSIC FESTIVAL!

Ruby Turner - courtesy of Joe Murtagh

RUBY’S RETURNING!

The Dart Music Festival Committee simply cannot contain their excitement and are bursting to share it with you! 

We’ve just had confirmation that the wonderful Ruby Turner – who wowed one and all with her fantastic performance two years ago – is returning this year with her headline act on the Bandstand.

If you missed her last time, you’re in for a very special treat as Ruby is indeed one very special lady. For those of you who didn’t catch her on ‘Later With Jools Holland’ at New Year, you can find out just how brilliant the lady is by visiting her website:  www.rubyturner.com 

The site doesn’t have the strapline ‘Ruby Turner – soulful music’s most special talent’ for nothing - when you come along to the Bandstand, you’ll see what we mean. 

Oh, and by the way, this is what The Guardian has to say about her: "Soul, Gospel, and R&B: Ruby Turner is truly the genuine article. Blessed with a voice that can breathe life and meaning into any song, whether it be a passionate ballad or a fast groove".

On hearing the news, those nice folk at the Compass Office Shop literally jumped for joy (yes, honestly – you had to be there…) - in fact, Simon Geen was heard to remark - and I quote – “I’ve been enjoying the Music Festival for ten years now, and I have to tell you that Ruby Turner’s performance of ‘I Would Rather Go Blind’ was the best thing I have ever seen and heard!”

Enough said? Aren’t we the lucky ones?

STOP PRESS! Have just heard from the lovely Ruby - this is what she has to say:

" I am thrilled to be invited back the Dart Festival again this year . You made us feel so welcome and such a wonderful time was had by all. Hope we can repeat that again. We look forward to playing for you again. Ruby" 

STRICTLY - SIMPLY STUPENDOUS! OH WHAT A NIGHT...

Well I'm almost ashamed to show my face here after such a long absence. All I can say in my defence is that although the DMF committee has had a few meetings there's been nothing much to report - until now when things are starting to bubble along quite nicely thank you. Please read on...

We had a huge success with our recent Strictly Come Dancing Fundraiser at the Guildhall, and although I wasn't actually there (nothing personal - we were away. Somewhere warm...) everyone I have spoken to has told me what a fantastic, never-to-be-forgotten night it was. I'm posting a few photos of the night for you to enjoy - although there are loads more thank to the expertise of Joe Murtagh of the Canvas Factory in Dartmouth (thank you Joe for a job well done).

I think Di Lyon, Treasurer and Co-Founder of the Music Festival almost sixteen years ago, sums it all up with her comments on the event. Di says:

"The atmosphere in the Guildhall was electric, full of goodwill and fun.  The band was tremendous and the dancers brilliant.  It was a privilege to be part of the organising team."

I'm hoping to publish some more 'Thoughts from the Team and Contestants' as and when I receive them, but meanwhile here are just some of the lovely photos to give a flavour of the event - enjoy! 

Lots of happy shiny people and the DMF Team at Our Dear Old Guildhall - doesn't she scrub up well?

Please note the custom-built sprung dance floor and fine proscenium arch..!

Judge Tracy Bussell with Compere Gil and Bandleader Phil

Nice flippers Monty...

Well flip me..! Monty was like a fish out of water and felt a bit of a wet drip after performing his Conga Reel...

Heavens Above!

..and Sister Wilhemina knew she didn't have a prayer of winning once these two started dancing....

Phil and Lesley

Our own personal Brucie: Good dance chaps, good dance....

Winners Phil Scoble and Lovely Lesley with a delighted and excited Gil

The Contestants

Didn't they do well..??

If you were lucky enough to be there please feel free to leave a comment to let us know what a good time you had - thank you. 

All photos courtesy of Joe Murtagh - with thanks. 

Dart Music Festival 2013 - shall we do it??

We're back! After our summer break we had a Dart Music Festival committee meeting on Monday, and I'm delighted to report that once again we managed to break even, so that means that yes - we ARE going to do it all again next year! 

As you know, we are do not receive any funding and the Festival simply wouldn't happen without the generosity of our sponsors and 'DMF friends' and of course all you lovely people who support our fundraising events, put money into our collecting tins and buy our programmes - we couldn't do it without you!

 So now we're up and raring to go (ish...) - Festival dates for next year are 10th, 11th and 12th of May 2013, and we have two fund raising events already planned to get the ball rolling.

The first is a return of the Strictly Come Dancing contest with the BRNC Volunteer Band, which will take place in the Guildhall on November 17th at 7.00pm.Tickets have just gone on sale at Baxters Gallery, Foss St and No. 11, Victoria Road @£12.50 each. Last year they sold out fast so make sure you buy yours early and don't miss out.

Electric Swing Circus

Secondly, we are planning a Grand Gala which will be kindly hosted by Sally and Edward Benthall at Little Dartmouth. There will be a fabulous bar and canapes, music from the Electric Swing Circus who wowed us at the Guildhall earlier this year, and other performers - including burlesque dancers and circus acts - are still in the pipeline. Ticket prices will be finalised shortly, so check the DMF website for up to date details.

Both events look set to be winners and will of course go a long way to helping us raise the necessary funds so - watch this space...

Matt D'Netto - Dart Music Festival update

I had a great time at the Dart Music Festival, thanks to everyone who came out to see me perform at St Saviour’s Church, the Angel and at the Picnic Boat! Thanks also to Marilyn & co. for looking after me over the weekend. 

I had a lot of requests for CDs at the festival and I’m now pleased to announce that my debut album is finally finished and can be purchased online from my website (http://i20510.wix.com/mattdnetto#!buy-cd).

Thanks again and I hope to be back next year!

Matt D’Netto

www.mattdnetto.com

Kagemusha Taiko - Dart Music Festival update

A few words from Kagemusha Taiko - more to follow so watch this space...

 

"We had a blast, and love playing Dartmouth Music Festival....everyone's so friendly, a lovely vibe.  THANK YOU to all who made it happen!

 

Kindest regards"

 

 


                           Kagemusha Taiko  www.Kagemusha.com

 

Medicine Creek update - Dart Music Festival

A few words and a very nice pic from Medicine Creek:

We had a brilliant time! We love coming down to Dartmouth and hope they'll keep having us back..

The Windjammer Inn is always a rockin' one and this year we were lucky enough to play in the steaming hot sunshine in an old fort - exactly where old dark country songs should be sung!

Thanks and see you next year we hope!

Nuala, Dorz & Aaron x

 

 

 

 

Find stuff here:

hppt://www.medicinecreek.co.uk

The Lost Sound - Dart Music Festival update

Just received - post festival update on The Lost Sound from Sandra Smith:

The Lost Sound

The Lost Sound had a wonderful Festival concert with an exceptionally warm welcome from the organisers and the audience. 

It's not often our conductor Sandra is given an honorary title of 'a singing missionary'.  

The whole concert was special for us - the church was stunning to perform in - really intimate, with fantastic natural acoustics for unamplified voices. (We like to sing 'au naturel' as much as possible.) Sometimes in a concert, a rather special alchemy happens and this was one of those times. We had rehearsed really well and on the night the 'magic' of performance took us over and the songs felt that they came alive on a different level. In our final song 'Wild Mountain Thyme', even our conductor had a tear!

It has to be said that the 'behind the scenes' aspect of the Dart Music Festival, (the bit the audience don't see!) is really excellent. It is a very well-run programme of events and the team are friendly and kind. This goes a long way to making performers feel welcome and ready to produce their best. So a big thank-you to the festival team!

We've had very positive feedback, requests to join our choir and future bookings for the autumn term from that night.  On the strength of it, we've now got charity concerts lined up in October, Torbay event performances, and an invitation to sing with the 1000 voices at Christmas at Exeter cathedral.  

 

Join our facebook page, 'The Lost Sound Chorus', to come and see us sing next term.

Catch The Lost Sound busking at Teignmouth folk fest from 4pm, 23^rd June
( weather permitting!)

Dart Music Festival makes front pages news!

We're really made up and feeling ever so chuffed! Last week's edition of the Dartmouth Chronicle (Friday 1st June) ran a front page story concerning a recent Dartmouth business survey, in which it was stated:

"The Dart Music Festival is now more important to the business community than the town's Royal Regatta, according to the survey so far. 

69% of businesses who have taken part in the survey reckon that Dart Music Festival is 'very' or 'quite' important, compared to 60% who said the same about the Regatta, 47% about Candlelit Christmas, 41% about the TIC and 40% about the town's Christmas lights."

There were also some very complimentary comments from Dartmouth Academy Year 7 students Cea Blakesley, Annabel Hughes and George Bakewell, who obviously enjoyed themselves at the Festival. For full details of the article please visit www.southhams-today.co.uk

Thank you to Cea, Annabel and George - we're glad you had a great time!

Moor Reason reports on Dart Music Festival

Moor Reason performing at the Guildhall

Comments just received from Moor Reason:

"MoorReason thoroughly enjoyed their time at the Dart Music Festival.  It was such a well organised festival and the people were fantastic.  We received amazing response from both our gigs on the Saturday.  MoorReason now have a busy June ahead.  We've had performances at The Old Fire House, Exeter, The Ruby Market festival, Hatherleigh and performed on the 'big stage' as part of the Okehampton Jubilee celebrations.  We will shortly be performing at the Exeter Pheonix on Saturday 9th June and then Headlining the Acoustic Stage at Lapstock on Friday 15th June 12.

We would like to thank the organisors at DMF and we hope to see you next year.

MoorReason"

 

Many thanks for your kind words chaps - we are so glad you enjoyed your time at the festival. Good luck with all your forthcoming gigs.

DMF Update - Armada Jazz Band, The Organisation, Belshazzar's Feast, Simon Spillett

Hi again - we're still getting lots of lovely e mails from artists who performed at the Festival - here are some more that have just come in:

 

Roger Marks' Armada Jazz band

"Great fun playing at DMF - weather was kind and enjoyed the company of a large audience in the cafes and standing within the Old Market Square.  Relished their generous applause and got a real buzz from the happy atmosphere. Really hope we do it next year. Many thanks".

 

Roger Marks, Armada Jazz Band

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Organisation

 

 "We loved playing the festival!  We always do!  The crowd at Alf Resco's is always SO warm and receptive, and we are very happy to be so well received!  We wish we could do it more than once a year, but I guess that would take away the specialness of it.  Great venue, great atmosphere all over the town, and thank you for having bands from Plymouth!  It's always a pleasure."

Taraneh Meen, The Organisation

 

Belshazzar's Feast

"Really, sorry, but I’m off on tour on the morrow, so can’t do anything worthwhile.

Just to say that we had a great gig – whilst none of the audience resembled arrows fans (apart from the occasional sporty beer gut), the concert hit the Bull’s Eye." 

 

Best wishes, Paul Sartin from Belshazzar’s Feast. 

(Please read Paul's previous Blog post and all will become clear...!)

 

 

 

 

Simon Spillett

 "What a great festival! It was my first visit and I loved the atmosphere, the diversity of music on offer and the opportunity to be part of things. Our gig was very well received and I was especially pleased to be working with Steve Waterman, one of the finest jazz trumpet players anywhere today. 

Also, a special bouquet for pianist Craig Milverton's group, who Steve and I both really enjoyed working with. 

Oh yeah... there was also the wonderful weather!!!. Here's to another great festival next year."

 

Best wishes, Simon

(Re Jazz Night at the Flavel)

Thanks for this chaps - keep it coming..!

 What was YOUR favourite gig? Please leave a comment to let us know.