Feedback - Budapest Cafe Orchestra

Our thanks to Chris Garrick for these kind words:

"What an unforgettable event in an unforgettable place the Dart Festival is!

My colleagues of the Budapest Cafe Orchestra and I think the DMF team are wonderful and organise the whole thing with so much energy and joy. 

The crowd are no less joyful and energetic and our audience at St Saviour’s on Saturday night did more than a little to help us lift the roof off the beautiful venerable venue and send excitement to stratospheric heights! 

Thanks to all involved at the Dart Festival and we sincerely look forward to returning one day soon."

Thank you - we are so glad you enjoyed performing at the Festival and hope to see you here again.

Next year's Festival dates: 13th, 14th & 15th May 2016

Festival Feed back - again... DMF

More feedback from esteemed Committee members Pam Braakenburg (Chair), Marilyn Bird (Classical Music Director and Hilary Day (Musical Director)

Amy and Adrian

Chairman Pam Braakenburg comments:

 

"What a weekend! The weather was kind and the music was fabulous, from opera in the church to The Wurzels in the gardens, it could only happen at the Dart Music Festival.

I want to thank all the people who made it possible for us to stage our 18th festival - our sponsors, all those who donated and my marvellous committee who work all year to make sure each festival is better than the last. 



In addition many thanks to our volunteers who helped with such things as collecting, sound management, sales of merchandise, not forgetting the BRNC cadets who acted as car park attendants, it really was a community event.

I stand to be corrected but I am very proud to say the Dart Music Festival is unique in that we do not charge for any of our music and judging from all the positive feedback we have had this is much appreciated by both local people and visitors to our beautiful town!" 

 

Charles Hazlewood

"WE HAVE A PROBLEM! All the festival performers think our festival is the best... They love the town, the atmosphere, and the wonderful audiences we get - so they all want to return next year! They are amazed at our ethos of "Music for All" and that we do not charge at our concerts and stunned that we are able to raise the £55,000 to put it together each year...

For me I cannot pick a highlight as each concert had its own special moments... 

The wonderful organ and piano recitals and joyous choirs to the foot stomping rendition of the Budapest cafe Orchestra's Grieg's piano concerto and Nesum Dorma raising the roof in St Saviour's Church with Peter Knapp's Opera company - all magical. However, a thirteen year old little girl playing a giant marimba solo with the Devon Youth Orchestra and that Charles Hazlewood asked his young daughter to sing for us during his very powerful presentation - well, it just blew me away...

What would life be without music...?" Thoughts from Marilyn Bird, Classical Music Director

And last but not least, a few words from Hilary Day, our Musical Director. 

Here are some of Hilary's Highlights...

'The View from the Bandstand...'

The schoolchildren performing on Friday in the sun and great performances by students from the Academy, followed by a stirring performance by our own BRNC Volunteer Band. What a brilliant start! Mighty Leap ended the evening with their great Reggae set getting everyone dancing.

Gimi Hendrix

Saturday saw the Bandstand in Royal Avenue Gardens full to the brim with music ranging from children’s sing along with Poco Drom doing the worm wiggle to the wonderful Connie Lush singing her powerful blues. Moulettes had the audience entranced with their complex and beautiful folk. 


Jo Harman performed for the second year running and again the crowd loved her.  And nothing like a touch of Jimi Hendrix, courtesy of the Gimi Hendrix Experience to finish a great day off!

Sunday was another day of blue skies and the build up towards the headline act continued.  Pirates on stage with Tom Mason from USA, followed by Urban Folk Quartet who literally had the crowd jumping out of their seats!  Gary Quinn gave us a wonderful Country set with his band.  And then of course the Wurzels who filled the whole bandstand area with crowds of fans, all singing along to their well know songs.  Then party time with The Normals playing a mix of ska/folk/pop/rock with their pumping brass duo and tight rhythm section.  Tankus the Henge closed this year’s Dart Music Festival getting the crowd dancing with their energetic set leaving everyone wanting more.

Velvet and Stone

News highlights from other venues:

* Will McNicol and Luke Selby earning a standing ovation in The Masonic Hall.   

* Velvet and Stone filling Bayards Cove Fort to capacity with approx. 250 people watching their set.

* The Market Square run by Committee member Ben Malley - it was buzzing all weekend with great music and great food being served by the cafes including Mark Lobb.  An amazing atmosphere in there!

* Mama Tokus doing impromptu set in Foss Street, Poco Drom entertaining children in the library and Market Square. 

And finally from Hilary, some quotes from performers and visitors:

"Thanks for a involving us in such a brilliant festival. A real pleasure to meet and work with you all! We had a blast"- Gary Quinn

 "Thank you for a great gig at The Guildhall with To The Sun, I danced all night!"

 "Just wanted to say a big thank you for a brilliant weekend. Some of the acts that you booked were truly inspiring."

"Once again, we loved the Windjammer, and the Market Square gig was something special. Thanks again" Roger and gang x

"I don't know if you got any feedback from our gig yesterday but we had a real blast . Thank you very much from all of us, we'd love to come back anytime"  Regards, Mike (Bailjumpers )

We think this rather kind of sums it all up...!

See you next year: 13th, 14th & 15th May 2016

www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk

Festival Feedback - Dart Music Festival

Woohoo...we did it again...!!

Well, our eighteenth Festival turned out to be just as successful this year - the weather was kind to us and a good time was had by all. 

There's a tired but happy band of DMF Committee Members in Dartmouth right now, currently dotting the i's, crossing the t's and generally tying up the loose ends.

Here are some thoughts from Alan Depledge - Vice Chairman:

"This year’s DMF was amazing - EIGHTEEN years old and better than ever! All the venues were packed and all music was free! It was busier than last year and there was no trouble with the crowds of people who just wanted to enjoy the live music for all tastes.

The Wurzels with lovely local bobby Ian Symons

From ‘The Wurzels’ - who produced the biggest crowd ever in front of the Bandstand Stage on Sunday afternoon - to rock band ‘To The Sun’ who packed out The Guildhall on Saturday night, every venue over the weekend was full to capacity.

The Flavel Arts Centre required people to reserve (free) tickets for the concerts held there and these were fully taken before the weekend even started.

 DMF Food Outlets Policy - Keep It Local...

...This year, before the event, the DMF committee invited local Dartmouth food outlets to a meeting to discuss takeaway food during the event weekend. We wanted to ensure they could cope with the huge demand that happens when happy festival goers want to eat and still listen to the music. More importantly we are strongly committed to ensuring all the food available is supplied by local businesses. Our policy is to only use local traders for this local festival. We want to concentrate on the music and let local businesses look after other needs of our lovely visitors.

Fresh fish from Mark Lobb's Market Stall

This policy worked extremely well this year. Feedback from food outlets and pubs tells us this year was the best ever for local businesses, beating last year’s ‘best ever’ results! 

The music quality was exceptionally good this year - I think we say this every year and mean it! 

Things kicked off before the Festival with our annual fundraiser at Little Dartmouth last month, where piano sensation Ji Liu, the UK’s biggest-selling classical breakthrough artist of 2014, performed to a sell-out audience. This two-night event also showcased wonderful young classical musicians  (link to blog post: http://dartmusicfestival.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/little-dartmouth-classical-weekend.html )


The Music Festival traditionally starts with a music themed film shown on Thursday evening at the Guildhall by Dartmouth Film Society. This year's film was ‘The Jersey Boys’ - the story of ‘60’s pop group The Four Seasons. Over 100 guests enjoyed the film and buffet - making it the most popular DFS film night ever!

Tankus the Henge

DMF then ‘explodes’ through the town on Friday in venues as diverse as shop windows where singer songwriter Sam Fearon played guitar for Quba’s shoppers, through the many pubs like The Dolphin in Market Square  and The Windjammer bursting with revellers to restaurants and cafes such as Café Alf Resco who always put on great live music such as James Harris’ Beat Belt. 

We have also received great feedback from our website – www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk:

“I would just like to express our appreciation of all the hard work that went into such an amazing event ,we were blown away with the quality of the musicians and the smooth running of the whole weekend… we are looking forward to next years weekend so well done to you all and a very big thank you from 6 very happy and tired party revellers lol “ Sharon

“I spent the day at Dartmouth on Sunday and had such a great time, I want to try to book accommodation for the 3 days next year. Any information on the best way to find accommodation would also be very much appreciated”  Yours thankfully, Graham

“I attended the festival this weekend and had a fabulous time.  Do you know the dates for 2016 yet please?”  Thanks  Mark  (It's 13th, 14th & 15th May 2016 - just to let you know)

"Hi- I must tell you how much my husband and I enjoyed the festival. Extremely well organised fantastic acts. Your volunteers  we so
helpful. Thank you so much." Sharon Sanders

Some other really brilliant high lights for me whilst running The Guildhall fore the weekend were Gaz Brookfield – singer songwriter, Billy Thompson - Gypsy Style Jazz and Doug Macleod – blues slide guitar, although to be honest all the performances were hugely enjoyable and of a very high standard - in fact trying to pick out favourites is awful, it’s like trying to pick your favourite son or daughter! All the performances were pretty amazing with many multi-talented performers who really seem to enjoy coming and playing in Dartmouth."

Happy People in Royal Avenue Gardens - Photo Joe Murtagh

Overall there was a fantastic atmosphere in town over this weekend - Dart Music Festival really does seem to bring out the best in both locals and visitors to Dartmouth!

Next year's Festival dates: 13th, 14th and 15th May 2016

www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk 

Dart Music Festival - How Was It For You..??

Well - that was a blast, wasn't it??

We are just about coming down from the high of last weekend's Festival, which by all accounts was really successful. 

It was a lot of work but a lot of fun and we just had a ball - and we hope you did too!

We'd love to have your feedback - please let us know your thoughts and your Festival Highlights.

Send them by e mail to:

Hilary Day - Musical Director. hilary.day@btinternet.com

Val Depledge - DMF Publicity: valdepledge@hotmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you soon

- and thanks!

www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk

STOP PRESS: Flavel sell-out - Dart Music Festival

 NEWS FLASH!!

Just to let you know that the following performances at the Flavel have now 'sold out' - i.e. no more places are available. 

Friday: Jazz Night

Saturday: Charles Hazelwood

Sunday: DYJO

So sorry to disappoint but just wanted to make sure your time isn't wasted by calling into the Flavel, as there are no waiting lists 

www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk

15/16/17 May 2015

Thursday Lunchtime Concert at the Flavel

Anti-Clashers!

Just before the wonderful Music Festival - chill out at the Flavel at Lunchtime today with three very talented local pianists, Liz Ferguson, Katrin Irvine and Rowena Marshall, giving a recital of solo and multi-handed piano works.

Admission by free ticket with a retiring collection. 

Please note two further concerts in this series:

Thursday 11 June Gregory Graves (euphonium ) accompanied by Jonathan Delbridge

Thursday 9 July "Silver Saxes" make their Flavel debut - Mike Jones' new line-up.

Enjoy all the Music!

 

 

WWW.DARTMUSICFESTIVAL.CO.UK

 

15TH, 16TH & 17TH MAY 2015

Poet Kevin Pyne on Music...

Our sincere thanks to local poet Kevin Pyne for his beautiful poem, which we feel really sums up the harmonious atmosphere of Dartmouth during the Dart Music Festival weekend.

Make for me good music

Down by the sea

In the market and inns

And where the churches be



Play for me a rock song

Pick out and strum

The chords of a gentle lullaby

As I thumb the pages of

My little yellow book

And the boats sail by



The clarity of choirs

The richness of violins

The raunchiness of a saxophone

The inspiration of the piano

Are all so worthy of being

Listened to and indeed loving



And may we all sit gently

As the songs are sung

In a world where there

Is much musical talent and all

Is at peace for every one? 

Happy people in Royal Avenue Gardens - Photo Joe Murtagh Photography

We hope you enjoy the Festival Kevin - keep on writing..!

 

www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk

15th, 16th & 17th May 2015

Kingswear Bus Timetable Change - Dart Music Festival

Important Announcement

Due to a recent change in the bus timetable, the last bus from Kingswear to Brixham will be at 8.00pm on the Friday and Saturday of the Festival 

www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk 

15th, 16th & 17th May 2015 

Youth Transport Help at Dart Music Festival

Youth Charity the Youth Genesis Trust has very kindly offered help to young people during the Dart Music Festival. 

Michelle Fascione of  the Trust, who have recently opened a base in the Flavel Chapel in Dartmouth, have promised to be attendance during the Festival on a voluntary basis and just for Saturday evening from 7.30pm.

Although they only have limited resources and with only two paid employees including Michelle, they will cover Dartmouth and Kingswear and be issuing fluorescent wristbands and bottled water to youngsters going home. They will also be happy too pass on any updated transport info.

www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk

15th, 16th & 17th May 2015

Dart Music Festival Sampler CD on sale soon!

Just to let you know that the ever-popular Music Festival Sampler CD for 2015 will soon be available online and will be on sale at just £5.00 from the Merchandise Tent (at the entrance to Royal Avenue Gardens) throughout the Festival.

The CD contains about 70 minutes of music from 19 bands performing at this year's Festival, and our thanks go to these artists who have donated their work for free to help raise funds for the Music Festival.

Our thanks also to Jonathan Hughes-Jones for organising production of the CD, Simon Hart for the cover design and Guy Rigby for the CD mastering.

What more can I say except 

"What a great way to remember your Festival Experience - and help us to raise funds at the same time..!"

Supplies are limited so make sure you grab your copy while you can - oh and Happy Listening...

www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk

15th, 16th & 17th May 2015

Any chance of a quick blog post to say CD's will be available online
soon and of course at the Merchandise tent.