Show of Hands have announced further performers to complete a stellar line up for their hugely popular annual signature festival on the Dorset heritage coast this summer.
Singer songwriter Steve Knightley and multi instrumentalist Phil Beer's 11th family festival at Abbotsbury's glorious sub-tropical gardens, near Weymouth, will take place on Saturday, July 5 and tickets are selling faster than any other year.
The 2008 event will see the duo (joined by their regular double bassist and vocalist Miranda Sykes) spearheading over six hours of non-stop open-air entertainment on Abbotsbury's West Lawn and they are delighted to announce they will be joined by musical genius Tim Edey - one of the finest melodeon and guitar players on the Celtic music scene - and Cornwall's rapidly rising acoustic talent, Ruarri Joseph. Formerly signed to Atlantic Records, Ruarri has toured with David Gray and Paola Nuttini and, more recently, Seth Lakeman.
Edey will appear with his band - accomplished percussionist Lucy Randall , who has played with The Michael McGoldrick Band, among others, and renowned harmonica player Brendan Power, featured soloist in the original, phenomenally popular Riverdance stage show.
The Devon duo had already announced other special guests - Martin Simpson, one of the world's leading acoustic finger-style and slide guitarists and winner of Best Album and Best Original Song at the 2008 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards - and Martha Tilston, one of the most unusual and captivating young singer songwriters on the UK roots scene -whose style was recently dubbed "Rococo Folk".
The event starts at 3pm. Tickets are available on 01305-871130, price £20 (adults); £10 (children) or £48 for a family (two adults and up to three children). Further information on www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk or email info@abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk Please note this booking number is available Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm but not weekends.
Concertgoers are invited to bring low-backed seating, rugs and picnics into the grounds - entry to the West Lawn area is from 1.30pm. The grounds open at 10am for those interested in looking round the magnificent 20-acre gardens. For the youngsters, there will also be a children's entertainer and face painters.
For interviews with Steve Knightley and Phil Beer please contact
SoH Publicity Manager Jane Brace on (01243) 789554, j.brace@virgin.net or
SoH Manager Vaughan Pearce on 01392 873513, Vaughan@showofhands.co.uk