Sizzling salsa spices up Festival!
By Graham Chalmers
HARROGATE International Festival has certainly attempted to add a little sizzle to its traditional feast of culture this year – as bus passengers will testify.
To get into the spirit of today's series of salsa events led by Latin music sensation Alex Wilson, sponsors Transdev decided it was time to get "hot, hot, hot" by holding their own dance classes.
One of the first volunteers to be led a merry dance at the bus station was a familiar face to music lovers in the town - Derry Jones, well-known for playing piano at Bettys cafe.
This afternoon sees an invitation to the public to try their hand at salsa dancing at the Royal Hall in the company of Wilson and salsa instructor Lee Knights.
Wilson, the festival's musician in residence, is also performing live in the Royal Hall tonight with his sensational Salsatak band.
There may have been problems with the box office but the festival’s biggest and most ambitious programme for years has seen a flurry of new ideas and unexpected sights.
As well as the festival's first proper Fringe for many years, organisers installed a giant movie screen at the bottom of Montpellier Hill showing everything from Dirty Dancing to Murder on the Orient Express.
Vibes turned unusually laidback opposite the Royal Baths in Crescent Gardens where a PapaKta style tent played host to talented local singers and world music stars.
Sharon Canavar, the festival's chief executive said: "The box office has been a challenge given the new software at HIC but the festival has had lots of great feedback so far. Audiences have been incredibly supportive of the new elements this year."
After the festival got off to a successful start with a gala evening featuring Lesley Garrett and Julian Lloyd Webber, it was boosted by news that one of its other stars, Richard Jacques has been asked to write the music for the new James Bond game, Blood Stone.
Jacques said: “It’s a real dream come true. I’m a huge Bond fan and it’s a dream to score for 007.”
The composer has strong links with Harrogate – he used to visit the town for music lessons as a youngster and has been thrilled to lead the Bold as Brass initiative.
Jacques has also written the opening fanfare for the festival’s initiative – a scheme aimed to encourage new composers in the region.
He will be attending the final night of the Festival next weekend as the Tewit Youth Band play his finale from the rooftop of the Royal Hall.
The town also saw a plethora of famous authors and hundreds of fans descend on the Crown Hotel yesterday for the launch of The Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
l Festival preview – page 4
l Crime Writing Festival — page 23
l Festival reviews - page 24
graham.chalmers@ypn.co.uk
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Weather for Harrogate
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
