THE launch of the second Dartmoor Live! ? a festival that seeks to embrace the best selection of food, music, art and theatre in the area ? takes place in Tavistock tomorrow (Friday). Top chef Philip Burgess from the Dartmoor Inn, Lydford, will start the month-long event by offering tastings of his Simply Stylish Cuisine at Crebers in Duke Street between 10.30am and 1pm. Now in its second year, the festival was originated by Karen Burgess who runs the Dartmoor Inn with husband Philip. ?It was a way of rejuvenating the region in the devastating wake of foot and mouth,? said Karen. ?At that time this wasn?t a place people wanted to come to ? and I wanted to help put some life back into the area.? Single-handedly she has put together an appealing package of food and entertainment. The aim is to showcase and celebrate the wide variety of quality food and talent on offer and to encourage people to discover and enjoy it. This year The Dartmoor Inn has been joined by the Fox and Hounds at Bridestowe and the Highwayman Inn at Sourton. In an event called ?Get Your Kicks on Route 386!? people can drive along and enjoy jazz featuring vocalist Noelle Kadory at the Dartmoor Inn, take in a trio of folk musicians at the Fox and Hounds then listen to ?Easy Rhythms? at the Highwayman. On Friday. May 27 the Dartmoor Inn presents Seth Lakeman Live! ? an evening where you can enjoy a delightful meal and listen as this acclaimed performer sings songs from his ?Kitty Jay? album. The album was inspired by Dartmoor myth and legend and the song ?Kitty Jay? was nominated for ?best original song? in the 2005 BBC Folk Awards. Karen is keen to build on the growing success of Dartmoor Live! ?If people want to help make this event bigger in future then please contact me and we can form a committee,? said Karen. Ideally, she would love to see the Dartmoor Live! Festival expand annually and involve as many people as possible. As it is, this year?s event has grown from last year with Karen pulling it together single-handed. But if she can get more like-minded people on board she believes the festival could bring much benefit to the area. This year, as well as celebrating quality food and live entertainment, the festival also focusses on the work of local artists Paul Cain Smith, Clark Nicol and potter Joss Hibbs. On Sunday, traditional entertainment for children of all ages takes place at the Dartmoor Inn, Lydford, when Professor Mark Poulton presents his Punch and Judy Show. This May Day event allows the audience to delight in beautiful hand-made puppets in an authentically crafted theatre. Performances are in the garden at 12.15pm, 1.15pm and 2.15pm. This special theatrical experience celebrates Mr Punch?s birthday which is said to be on May 9, 1662 when Samuel Pepys made reference to Mr Punch in his diary. The inn is also preparing a mouthwatering May Day lunch with such dishes on the menu as roast rib of Devon beef and market day pork casserole. For those who like to eat and be entertained a gastro supper takes place at the Dartmoor Inn on Friday, May 13 with entertainment by the Wag of Widecombe, Tony Beard. Music will be provided by Mark Bazeley on melodeon, Jason Rice on accordion, Rob Murch on banjo and Bill Murray singing traditional Dartmoor songs. There will also be a display by former Step Dance Champion Sarah Bazeley. Further details of this and the other events taking place in the Dartmoor Live! Festival can be obtained by contacting the Dartmoor Inn on 01822 820221.
