A FEAST of entertainment is in store for West Devon residents at the end of this month as the 2007 Tavistock Music and Arts Festival gets under way on April 28. The event has been expanded this year, both in terms of events and time — it now runs over ten days and includes art and literary fixtures, in an effort to appeal to even more people. Festival chairman Christopher Kirwin said he was delighted at the response to the event — and thrilled to be presenting such a varied programme. He said: 'I am so pleased with what we have got lined up — it really is a most exciting programme. 'We've tried to fill in some of the perceived gaps; for instance, we have a couple of jazz events now and we've added in the literary, art and photographic events. 'In a fantastic world it would be nice to have a bit of drama as well, but to a certain extent you can only fit in what people are offering. 'Certainly, if someone comes up with a fantastic offer for next year we would love to fit it in.' The festival begins on Saturday April 28 with a free concert by Stannary Brass Band on Bedford Square at 11am. Two art exhibitions are being opened on that day, in the Portrait Room of the Bedford Hotel and at the Westall Art and Design Centre at Kelly College. On Saturday night, the festival gala concert takes place in St Eustachius Church, with the Ten Tors Orchestra conducted by Simon Ible and featuring baritone soloist Njabulo Madlala. Christopher said: 'He actually sang at the memorial concert for Professor Roland Levinsky, of Plymouth University recently, and people who heard him were absolutely astounded how good he was. 'He's going to be one of the next really big names, so it's very exciting to be able to include him in our festival.' During the last week in April, there are a string of festival features lined up, including recitals, a photographic exhibition at the Wharf, creative writing and art workshops, a jazz café at the Wharf and more concerts at the parish church. Christopher said South West Camarata, a youth chamber orchestra, specifically contacted the festival with a request to be included in the programme. 'They said they'd been picked to play in St Paul's Cathedral — but had never performed in a church before! I rang the church and we were able to fit them in, which is good for them — and for us!' Tavistock Viaduct is the unusual setting for a 'workshop under the sky' organised by West Devon artist Jenny Hale on Saturday May 5, where participants can try their hand at painting birds and wildflowers. The Seth Lakeman concert at the Wharf that night has now sold out but tickets are still available for other events in the programme. Christopher said: 'We've got Claire Martin for the jazz lunch in the town hall on May 6, who is very popular on the radio. 'I suspect when the schools go back the tickets will really start to sell for the Tavistock Sings! school choir concert and the Rock On event at the Wharf — the tickets usually go really well on the night.' It is costing £31,000 to stage this year's festival — Christopher himself has 'added weight' to the fundraising with £700 raised through a sponsored slim. Tavistock Tourist Information Centre is the box office for the festival and can be contacted on 01822 612938.
