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Programme Cover 15-5-17_Layout 1 15/05/2017 11:30 Page 1
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2nd to 4th June 2017
FREE PROGRAMME All profits to the Acorns Children's Hospice Ashdown Farm, Badsey, Evesham, WR11 7PA
www.asparafest.co.uk
ROOTS
WELCOME Welcome to the 5th Asparafest! Thank you for coming, we hope you enjoy the food, music & drink! Asparafest is run by Gras Roots, a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation and we’re pleased to be donating all profits this year to the Acorn Children's Hospice. The festival is a celebration of Vale of Evesham Asparagus, as part of the British Asparagus Festival : 23 April - 21 June. This is an extra special year as Evesham Gras has been recognised with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, one of only 7 UK fruit and vegetables with this status. This is due to the history or gras growing as well as the unique growing conditions in the Vale - and the delicious taste! So, buy local, eat local, grow if you can, and have a great celebration, and help us raise as much as we can for Acorns. For more British Asparagus Festival events see britishasparagusfestival.org Tash & Nigel, Gras Roots
Contents: AsparaStage Sat AsparaStage Sun Market & Workshops Cookery Theatre Programme At A Glance Family Fun Youth Programme Arena AsumStage Exhibitors & Site Entertainment Asparagus Eating Competition + more Family Theatre Street Food & Beer Festival Festival Site Map
Pages 4-5 Pages 6-7 Page 8 Page 9 Pages 10-11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20
All times & acts correct at time of print but we reserve the right to change the programme & times if required.
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
ASPARASTAGE SATURDAY 1000 Tazmin Barnes Tazmin started performing at a very young age and enjoys a wide variety of genres. With a busy summer tour and powerful voice, Tazmin is one to watch!
1045 Ras King Bobo Afrobeat, Reggae Dancehall and other upbeat African dance music. Ras King Bobo blends his music and dance to ensure an electrifying live performance.. Enjoy this music set - and catch him later on the AsumStage for African Power Acrobatics! 1130 The Peas Acoustic duo - with added instrumentation in the form of Kazoo's, mouth trumpets, melodica, beat box, vocal synthesizer... 1225 Mr Bloom Mr Bloom is a happy-go-lucky, singing gardener who runs his own nursery, complete with singing vegetables (the Veggies). Mr Bloom’s Nursery is a well loved children TV show. 1315 The Poor Boys of Worcester Upbeat good time versions of old time songs. With 5 singers and a range of Instruments including Ukuleles, Banjolele, Cajon, Snare Drum, Hammer & Chisel, Harmonica, Foot Stompin' and Double Bass they perform a variety of songs in an energetic,often frenetic skiffle style. 1410 Vale Connection Ladies A Capella chorus, was started in Evesham back in 1994. They sing unaccompanied A Cappella style to modern and classic songs and most of the songs are arranged in the kind of close, four-part harmony that gets toes tapping and spines tingling.
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
ASPARASTAGE SATURDAY continued 1500 Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band Rajasthan – the land of royalty – a glittering jewel set in the golden sands of the barren Thar Desert. The Heritage Brass Band is a living embodiment of this landscape, a spectacular celebration of its vibrant & colourful lifestyle, their music & dance a heady, exciting and hypnotic reflection of this enchanting region. 1600 Collective 43 Collective 43 is a multi-instrumental congregation steeped heavy with New Orleans street style and twists of blues and jazz. 1700 Brimstone Playing folk and celtic music with rhythm, pace and feeling - they aim to create music that makes everyone feel great. Gentle airs, fiery jigs and reels from the celtic nations and beyond. 1835 Wilfs Carnival Band - Sing-a-long-a Saturday! Acoustic ukulele band with bass, mandolin and percussion, performing an eclectic mix of songs and music from the 1920's to present day. 1940 Betsy Harmony - Sing-a-long-a Saturday Full of energy, Betsy creates a sparkling atmosphere with her dulcet tones and rousing melodies - Swing, Jazz, Rock 'n' Roll and Blues - anything goes! 2045 3 Daft Monkeys With Celtic and eastern influences, the 3 Daft Monkeys’ dynamic style of world folk music reflects the global village in which we now live. Their infectious dancing rhythms lead you through a musical journey of the senses and emotions, and will leave you breathless, enthralled and exhilarated. 2155 Misty's Big Adventure Back by popular demand! Their music is a joyous mix of pop, ska, jazz, indie, psychedelia, folk, punk, lounge and more. They are like Abba, if Abba had been weird.
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
ASPARASTAGE SUNDAY 1005 Sohan Kailey Get Sunday started with a bit of Bhangra! Sohan Kailey provides a fun, enjoyable, interactive workshop for all the family to enjoy (no matter what your age)! 1055 Another Country A 6 piece country band drawing from folk, pop and blues influences. Their blend of close vocal harmonies with mandolin, fiddle and slide guitar creates a unique blend of storytelling with infectious riffs and hooks. The band draw on their everyday lives for inspiration, from simple ballads to country rock music you will want to be up on Sunday morning to take a listen too! 1150 Katy Ashworth .. as seen on CBeebies’. Katy Ashworth is a familiar face to pre schoolers across the world. She is the face of CBeebies cooking show 'I can cook' and the CBeebies house. She has a long standing career in entertaining children and making them laugh through song, stories and play.
1235 Fiddlebop Jazz swing songs and tunes with a gypsy zing! Played on soaring violin; fluent, quirky and driving guitars; and earth-striding double bass. With graceful vocal harmonies and the occasional excited squeak or bellow. All with passion, fire and energy, and the odd dash of humour. 1335 The Famous Asparagus Eating Competition
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
ASPARASTAGE SUNDAY continued 1405 Katy Ashworth .. as seen on CBeebies’ Another chance to see Katy's show 1450 The Bar Steward Sons of Val Doonican Yorkshire's hardest-working, awardwinning, tanktop-wearing, comedy band. Hailing from Barnsley Rock City in t'North The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are on a mission! Determined to follow in their father’s immortal footsteps and keep his legacy alive, they have a talent for BarStewardizing other famous people’s songs with new comedy lyrics, on their acoustic geetars, ukuleles, banjos, bouzouki and accordion. 1600 Dr Feelgood Formed on Canvey Island in Essex in the early 1970s Dr. Feelgood remains one of the most popular and exciting live rhythm and blues acts in the world. The raw and uncompromising style of their performance resulted in the album Stupidity that immediately went to the number one position in the U.K. charts. Dr. Feelgood have also enjoyed global success with a string of hit singles including Roxette, Back in the Night, Milk and Alcohol, Down at the Doctors, She Does it Right, Going Back Home and See You Later Alligator - which gave the group their first gold record. Big thanks to Trevor Harrison, our MC for the weekend, the PA crew and all our volunteers! Thanks for coming - hope to see you next year!
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
FESTIVAL MARKET Don’t miss all our fantastic traders, from asparagus to artwork, cheese to cakes to croissants, preserves to plants to pies! In the market marquee and around the site, stall holders will be selling local & national produce, showcasing crafts and artwork, and giving information about the local area and other Evesham events. Asparagus is featured in many products - as well as in its natural state - look out for Asparagus chutneys, ketchups, scones, ice cream, sausages and more.
Look out for demonstrations at stalls including: Sat & Sun - see signs at stall for times: Spike Cadman Leather An introduction to leather and belt making. Decorating leather by patterning and carving. Festival Emporium Carving hazel flowers by hand.
New for 2017 - The Relaxation Zone Massage talks & demos alongside their programme of bookable treatments.
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
COOKERY STAGE Get the most out of your asparagus! Join our chefs all weekend on the Wot's Cooking demonstration cookery stage for tips and inspiration. Felice Tocchini - Sat 11am, 1pm, 4pm & Sun 12noon, 3pm An Asparafest favourite, Felice is passionate about local produce and spends time working with growers and producers to help promote Worcestershire food and drink, especially Asparagus! He runs an award-winning restaurant – Feli's - specialising in fresh, local produce to create delicious food with an Italian twist. Frances Quinn - Sat 3pm Best known as the winner of the fourth series of The Great British Bake Off in 2013, Frances' first book release was 'Quinntessential Baking'. She is a big fan of Asparagus and recently set the World Record for the making the largest Jaffa Cake. Followed by a Q&A and book signing. Tom Court - Sticky Fig Catering - Sat 2pm & Sun 11am After working in busy restaurant kitchens for all of his career, Tom Court started the award winning Sticky Fig Catering Company (see the stall here) in 2014 and is now a preferred caterer for some of the top wedding venues in the Midlands. Tom Sausage - Sat 12noon & Sun 1pm Tom Sausage is a small but expanding family company based in the Vale of Evesham making delicious sausages including a popular pork & asparagus flavour. Check out his on site stall Wayside Farm Shop - for lots of aspara-goodies! Nana's Japanese Cafe - Sun 2pm Nana runs a cafe in Leamington where she creates hearty, healthy and delicious Japanese meals, served with a smile!
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
FAMILY FUN! Junkfish Arts & Crafts 10am - 6pm Sat / 9am - 4pm Sun Activities will include: Grass heads | Spoon puppets | Painting a giant castle | Swords and shields | Crowns, tiaras and pirate hats | Fridge magnets | Plus a dressing up area, playdough kitchen, the Junk Ball Run, outdoor games and circus toys. + our family chill out area with extra toys and books for younger children!
Easy Peasy Cookery School So popular we bought them back for both days! Easy Peasy is a mobile cookery school for children. They will be offering 3 classes a day - limited availability per class.
Rainbow Gecko Masses of bubbles, huge bubbles, massive bubbles and terrabite bubbles that you may have not seen or even believed possibubble! Plus a chance to have a go yourself.
The Asparalympics - not just for kids! Sat & Sun 12noon to 2.30pm Clik Clik Collective are back with the Asparalypics. An interactive asparagus tournament for all ages - think the ‘Olympics’ crossed with an ‘It’s a Knockout’ School sports day; this madcap audience-friendly performance will see a range of games, such as Aspara-relay, 10 meter ‘gus and spoon’ race, asparagus throw and more. See also family events at the Arena, Theatre, AsumStage & our CBeebies guests on the AsparaStage!
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
Mayflower Youth Tent The Mayflower Project teen tent is a welcoming and friendly space for teenagers to come and hang out, play instruments, or get involved with workshops. There’s free henna, face-painting and hair braids as well as workshops in craft, upcycling, jam sessions and so much more. Take part in the workshops or just relax and soak up the atmosphere. http://www.mayflowerproject.org/ SATURDAY Noon – 2pm Circus We’ll have a workshop outside the tent (weather permitting! And indoor alternative will be available if necessary). A great opportunity for the teens to try something new and it’ll look amazing! 2pm – 4pm T-shirt up-cycling We’ll be cutting up old t-shirts and giving them a new lease of life. The tshirts are provided free of charge and there’s no sewing required! 4pm – 6pm Jam Session While all our acoustic instruments are available to play at any time during the jam sessions we’ll be plugging in & turning it up. SUNDAY 11 – 1pm Henna/hair braiding and face-painting The opportunity to learn how to do henna tattoos, face-paint or give hair braids. 1pm – 3pm Open mic with recording We’ll be having an open mic session for you to show off your skills. We will be recording this so if you’re interested please come along, play for a crowd and we’ll upload the recordings to our SoundCloud account after the event. 3pm – 5pm Tetra-pack wallets Using tetra pack drinks cartons, we’ll be making wallets and coin purses. We will provide the tetra packs but if you have any destined for the bin please bring them along and we will transform them!
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
ARENA All weekend The Quack Pack Meirion Owen's Quack Pack provides hilariously entertaining duck herding demonstrations for all. The demonstrations are interactive, allowing hands-on adult and child participation. The Quack Pack are Indian Runner Ducks - an extraordinary looking duck with quite short legs and a tall, upright body much like a penguin. As their name suggests, they run rather than waddle.
Falconry Days Learn some of the history of falconry, the methods used to train birds and watch the Harris Hawks in flight. An ancient art that evolved into the nobility's favourite pastime, this will be a spectacle not to be missed. Performances each day, including on horseback, plus you can meet the falcons next to the Worcester Barn Owls Trust throughout the weekend.
Ferret Racing How about a session at the races? Choose your ferret, and encourage him to run the course and pip your opposition to the winning post!
Worcester Barn Owls Learn about our feathered friends and meet the rescued owls on both Sat & Sun.
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
ASUMSTAGE With thanks to the Worcestershire Levellers - providing the Asum PA. Please check the blackboards & signs for more Asum Stage entertainment through the weekend! Bhangra Tots (Sunday): fun dance workshop for young children and their families. Come and join in the fun with Bhangra Man Sohan Kailey. Lots of energy and vibrant music! Look out for Bollywood and Bhangra workshops for adults too! Belle D’Vain North West Clog (Sat & Sun) energetic women’s dance side based in the Vale of Evesham. Soft Option Appalachian Step Dancers (Sat) Appalachian dancing is a percussive form of dance that originates from Northern America, where the dancer's feet provide the rhythm for the band. Performed with a live band, the music is a mix of bluegrass and old time. Pebworth Morris Men (Sat) Cotswold sides think we're Border, Border sides think we're Cotswold...A men's morris side formed in 1979, based at the Fleece Inn, Bretforton. Ras King Bobo 1 (Sat) is back with his infectious and energetic dance workshops - bringing a slice of West African sunshine to Asparafest, don’t miss his combination of acrobatics and street dance. His speciality pan spinning has to be seen to be believed! plus... Elgar School of Music Folk Ensemble, Abbots Bromley Horn Dance Workshops, Madame Zucchini, Mezzo Dancing and Samba Tots + more!
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
EXHIBITORS Stationary Engines, Tractors & Horticultural Equipment Celebrate our agricultural and horticultural history with vintage engines and horticultural equipment and asparagus growing paraphernalia.
World War II Camp Ashdown Farm is the unique home of the only group of Military Vehicle enthusiasts to have a unique WWII Camp. There are restored WW2 Nissen Huts, air raid shelters & more, most of the structures rescued from within the Vale of Evesham. Enjoy a tour of the Camp with the volunteers on Sunday.
Classic Cars Including Cotswold Vale TR Club and Mercia Minis
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
ASPARA-TASTIC! Meet Gus! Our friendly - and famous - mascot will be out and about on site. As seen on Countryfile, The One Show and even Have I Got News for You!
The Asparamancer Jemima Packington, the world famous Asparamancer will be available for predictions with the help of Vale of Evesham asparagus each day at the Wychavon stall from 10am – 4pm.
Asparagus Eating Competition Do you have what is takes to be the 2017 King or Queen of Asparagus? There's a chance each day to see how many spears you can eat in two minutes - and win that coveted crown! Thanks to the Enchanted Florist (see her floral headdress stall on site) for providing the crowns.
Asparagus Tying Discover the traditional method of tying asparagus with Diane Raphael on Sat at the Wychavon stall - 1.30pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm. Plus there's the St Leonards Church Asparagus Auction at the Fleece, Bretforton, at 6.30pm June 4th. Please support all our local farm shops & gras growers in the Vale throughout the season! For more recipe ideas & growing tips visit britishasparagusfestival.co.uk
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
THEATRE Dreadfall Theatre - Tanglefoot Tales Saturday & Sunday between 11-5 Hundreds of years ago, when the great forest spread across the land, and humans could walk freely between this world and that of the fairies; there lived little old woman and her son. Dreadfall Theatre's storytelling shows bring to life lesser-known folk tales from around the world. Find out how Butterball escapes the troll, why the old woman can always been seen wearing the same golden shoes, and why you should never enter Tanglewood Forest. Shows include physical storytelling, dance, song, and puppetry.
Handmade Theatre - How Time Flies Sunday 11am & 1.30pm Join the eccentric team of archaeologists inside their beautiful field tent, as they guide you through a dig to find long lost artefacts. Help them to uncover the hidden truth behind an ancient skeleton and imagine the many possible stories it could hold. Picture a time gone by and historical figures of long ago, from the Vikings to the ancient Egyptians. There are mysteries to solve and discoveries to be made. An interactive show bursting with puppets, songs, facts and fun, suitable for the whole family to enjoy! 50mins long & perfect for audiences aged between 3 and 11.
Madame Zucchini Saturday & Sunday between 11-5 Come make wonderful veg creatures with Mme zucchini, and watch her vegetable theatre show starring Leek Skywalker and more. She may also appear in her veg costume around site!
www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017
STREET FOOD/DRINK Alongside more traditional festival foods, all our caterers have an Asparafest special or two! Look out for the unique asparagus dishes on offer to tickle your tastebuds!
Deep fried asparagus, asparagus pizza, crepes, quiche, scones, pies... We have a fantastic real ale, cider and wine bar provided by our friends at Moongazing Hare Bars and the welcome return of Cocktails on Wheels for a great selection of cocktails & Natural Ice for refreshing soft drinks. Whatever your favourite tipple, be it beer, cider, spirits or cordial, you’ll find the perfect way to quench your thirst. And if you're brave enough, there are even asparagus drinks Try an Asparito, or Bloody Aspara-Mary!
Also in the bar - Live music & skittle alley ! www.asparafest.co.uk
2 - 4 June 2017