Sutton Coldfield Festival of Arts

[ July 9, 2008; 8:00 pm; ] Our answer to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - two exemplary musicians with very different backgrounds, joining together to produce something magical. Vocalist Natalie is best known for her work with pop group Scooch, who were the UK’s Eurovision representatives in 2007 and who have enjoyed a string of top-ten hits.

Ian was the house drummer [...]

[ July 12, 2008; 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm. ]

This four-piece “dark rock” band, formed by ex-Plantsbrook and Bishop Walsh pupils, rounds off a top day of live music on The Parade on Saturday July 12, between 4pm and 4.30pm.

They studied at The Birmingham Music Academy for two years and then The London Academy of Music for a year, learning about the music business.

The [...]

[ July 12, 2008; 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm. ] Sutton Coldfield folkie Bob Allaway, one of the town’s best kept secrets, steps under the spotlight at Sutton Library (Meeting Room 2) on Saturday July 12 from 1pm to 1.45pm.

Bob, a professional sign-writer, is far from the household name he should be, his CD Sundry Notes Of Music revealing a fiercely intelligent talent whose original songs sound [...]

[ July 12, 2008; 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm. ] Emerging Sutton Coldfield star Ben Drummond performs on the Main Stage at 13:30, July 12th.  He has just launched his much-anticipated debut EP in March with a performance at Jools Holland’s nightclub The Jamhouse in  Birmingham.

The self-taught artist, originally from Wednesfield but based in Sutton for the last three years, began playing bass at 12 and has [...]

[ July 11, 2008; 8:00 pm; ] Claret are an experienced Sutton trio who play an array of instruments with a large repertoire of folk and roots music from the British Isles with hints of jazz, and have an extra string to their bow - performing for ceilidhs and barn dances.

The lead instrument for the dances is accordion, accompanied by guitar, electric bass, [...]

[ July 12, 2008; 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. ] The Claret duo of Sandra Robinson (vocals) and Tim Robinson (guitar) are passionate about playing music, as is reflected in their live sets, and they thrive on their audience’s enjoyment.

For this set Claret will be playing  a selection of their alternative material, beyond their usual folk influences,  song ballads,  and subtle instrumentals.  On Tim’s solo set he will perform his own fingerstyle  arrangements on electro-acoustic [...]

[ July 11, 2008; 7:00 pm; ] On Friday July 11 at 7pm a Carnival hits Bishop Walsh Catholic School as part of the Sutton Festival Of Arts.

As the culmination of work from the school’s Arts Week there will be a public showcase evening featuring all the dance, music, drama, art and visual pieces that have been developed by pupils, based on [...]

[ July 12, 2008; 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm. ] A thriving Sutton Coldfield musicians’ club which has given a stage to novice acoustic guitarists and some international stars will hold a demonstration in a marquee in The Parade on Saturday July 12 between 1pm and 1.45pm.

Three years ago Sutton Acoustic Guitar Club, which met at Sutton Sailing Club, was facing an uncertain future after [...]

[ July 13, 2008; 4:00 pm; ] THE GATE INN, SUNDAY JULY 13, 4pm

The quiet village of Marston on the outskirts of Sutton Coldfield is the backdrop to one of the finest CDs ever to have been released by a local performer.

Mike Gates, who lives there, has come up with the home-recorded gem Resistance To The Passage Of Sound, in league with [...]

[ July 13, 2008; 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] Sutton covers quartet The Full Act (pictured on the roof at The Gate!) will do a Festival stint at The Royal Hotel on July 13 between 6pm and 9pm, hosting their regular open-mic evening.

The group, comprising Siobhan Patton on vocals, Konrad Heywood on guitar, Steve Bird on bass and Andy Stones on drums, performs numbers [...]