Leek Arts Festival

LEEK ARTS FESTIVAL Local artists back plans for festival

PLANS are gathering pace for the return of one of the area’s biggest cultural events after two years of Covid cancellations.

Organisers of Leek Arts Festival have confirmed that their programme for this year’s extravaganza is set to see more than 40 different events going ahead over the six weeks between mid-April and early June.

As well as national and international stars, there will also be many local artists and performers taking part.

Festival chairman Phil Edmeades, said: “The deadline for events to be included in the printed programme has now passed and we’re delighted that so many local groups and individual artists have come forward with their own plans. “We did fear that the aftermath of the Covid crisis would leave many people hesitant about getting involved in this year’s festival but that hasn't proved to be the case. ”

LAF organisers had already confirmed gigs by international artists including Eddi Reader, Boothby Graffoe and Fairport Convention would feature in the 2022 festival.

Now, they have revealed that among the more local artists taking part will be classic rockers Climax Blues Band and Leek-born and bred jazz supremo Gareth Lockrane.

Former Leek High School student Gareth is acknowledged as the UK’s premier jazz flautist and, as well as leading his own internationally renowned big band, has a history of playing with other top names in jazz such as the legendary Quincy Jones and the James Taylor Quartet. Climax Blues Band

“We did fear that the aftermath of the Covid crisis would leave many people hesitant about getting involved in this year’s festival but that hasn't proved to be the case.”

Gareth Lockrane

Phil said: “Joe Tatton, who is well-known in Leek, contacted us to say he’d like his trio to perform as part of the Arts Festival. “During the conversation he casually mentioned that he ’d invited Gareth Lockrane to be a special guest on the night. That’s a fantastic result for us and it’s going to be a great night out.

Phil added: “We ’ re also delighted that Climax Blues Band will be part of the festival again this year although sadly, lead guitarist Les Hunt has announced he will no longer be playing with the band due to health issues.”

Tickets for major events at the 2022 Leek Arts Festival are already available at The Foxlowe Arts Centre and online at www.leekartsfestival.co.uk

More details of LAF 2022 event will be released in the next few weeks as around 30,000 printed copies of the programme are set to be distributed to home across the Moorlands. Look out for copies of the programmes in local pubs, bars, restaurants and bistros.

Full programme details will also be uploaded to the LAF website at www.leekartsfestival.co.uk.

'SEE IT ALL IN MAY ' WWW.LEEKARTSFESTIVAL.CO.UK