One of the region’s best-loved music events is once again going on the road when Durham Brass Festival makes its eagerly-awaited return next month. The festival will include the Big and Little Brass Bashes that bring the party to outdoor spaces across the county.
The big and little bashes are a series of ten free events offering energetic and eclectic performances from thrilling street bands.
Little Brass Bashes will take place at Haswell pit site and Spennymoor market place on Monday 8 July from 6pm to 8pm. They continue at Chester-le-Street Market Place on the 9th, on the Town Green in Willington on the 10th from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, at the same time in Barnard Castle’s Witham on Thursday 11th and in Middle Street, Consett, from 6pm to 9pm on the 12th.
Meanwhile, the first of four Big Brass Bash events takes place on Tuesday 9 July at Glenholme Park in Crook, with this and all other Big Brass Bashes running from 6pm to 9pm. Hackworth Park in Shildon and Town Park, Newton Aycliffe will host Big Brass Bashes on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 respectively, with the final Bash at Trimdon Community College on Friday 12th.
Durham Brass Festival takes place from Friday 5 to Saturday 13 July and, as ever, promises a week of spectacular performances, new commissions, free concerts, community activities, and a full programme of lively street bands. It opens with Public Service Broadcasting performing their album Every Valley with The NASUWT Riverside Band to a sold-out audience at Durham Cathedral.
There’ll be more free outdoor events as the popular Streets of Brass takes place across Durham on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July. These will run from 11am to 4pm and 11am to 5pm respectively, with the Sunday including the ever-popular Streets of Brass finale in the Market Place from 4.30pm.
Party In The Park at the city’s Wharton Park returns on Saturday 7 July, from 5pm to 9pm.
The festival line-up is completed with The Cory Band and Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band teaming up for King Kong at Gala Durham on Sunday 7 July; the emerging artist showcase Brassed On at Durham Town Hall on the same day and Smoove & Turrell’s Northern Coal Experience DJ set at the same venue on Friday 12 July.
For more information, visit www.brassfestival.co.uk.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
