Alnwick Market Place to come alive with music, song, spoken word and dance this summer

Alnwick’s historic market place is set to be transformed into an open-air venue for around 200 people this Sunday for Alnwick Alive – a programme of free entertainment with a strong regional flavour and a Northumbrian focus. Local professionals, amateur artists, community groups, bands, choirs and dancers are set to deliver a range of performances, all with one goal: to promote traditional Northumbrian culture, but with a contemporary twist!

On the bill are some of the County’s most-loved acts, including mother and son duo, Carole and Jamie Robb; local community group, Riff Raff and headliners, The Baghdaddies, whose exuberant brand of world music is an exhilarating cocktail of Balkan melodies, ska, Latin grooves and sizzling brass – played with the band’s famous energy and theatrical humour.

Visitors will also be treated to a performance from two groups of drummers: Rhythm Stix – from the Pottergate Centre for adults with learning disabilities, in collaboration with the Shindiggers – who are from the North Star centre in Berwick. Both groups have been working hard over the past year to deliver a joint performance, and Alnwick Alive sees them drum together for the first time. But the groups’ trainer, Kirsty Balmbra has every faith they will be brilliant.

Says Balmbra: “It has been hard work, but the performance at Alnwick Alive will be a fantastic achievement for everyone involved – especially the drummers!”

Alongside the day’s performances, visitors can also take advantage of the colourful stalls, selling local foods and crafts, as well as having the opportunity to tuck into traditional Northumbrian dishes, including Singing Hinnies, Pan Hagerty and Alnwick Stew.

And, as if all of the above wasn’t enough, visitors will also have the chance to take part in a sword dance workshop – if they dare! Taking place from 11am – 1pm in Northumberland Hall, the workshop will be run by Amble Sword, and participants will be invited to be part of a group performance onstage at 1:15pm.

Alnwick Alive has been coordinated by The Alnwick International Music Festival, which has been running for 42 years across the Market Place and Northumberland Hall. Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to get involved in Alnwick Alive on Sunday 12 August from 10:30am – 4:30pm at Market Place, Alnwick, NE66 1HS.

Part of the Great Exhibition of the North ‘Inspired By’ programme and designed specifically to get visitors to the region to explore the country’s most northerly county, Great Northumberland offers a range of unique, family-friendly, events, activities and adventures many of which are free of charge. Sign up to the newsletter on the website to find out about all Great Northumberland events across the Summer. Find out more at greatnorthumberland.co.uk.