”Wantage presents…” brings music into town

Summer Saturday visitors and shoppers in Wantage will get an extra special musical welcome to the town centre, thanks to a free public performance initiative.

“Wantage presents…” will see a variety of local bands and individual musicians and acts perform in Wantage Marketplace on Saturdays, starting at 10.30 in the morning and running for an hour or more.

The 14-week series starts on Saturday June 14^th with top local ceilidh band Melobo www.melobo.co.uk. Among the other acts already booked to appear in the early stages of the initiative are Appalachian music and dance troupe, Cornucopia (June 28^th), and musician Nick Ruck (July 5^th).

Howard Hill, local musician and editor of the community website www.wantage.com, is co-ordinating the series. Howard says: “I am delighted to be working with the Wantage town team to once again brighten up our Saturday market with music and dance. Last year we played throughout the summer and brought smiles to many passersby. Some even stopped to dance themselves”.

You can read about the project on www.wantage.com/busking. Local musicians or performers keen to join the line up for “Wantage presents…” should email howard@thehilltribe.com.

Melobo spokesperson, Charlotte Pascoe, says: “Local ceilidh band, Melobo, are looking forward to bringing their music to the streets of Wantage again this year. We hope that the sun will shine and that this time I will remember my oboe.”

Nick Ruck says: “”Wantage presents…” is a great idea, and a great way to show Wantage at its vibrant best, hopefully brightening people’s day in the process.”

Howard is working in partnership with Wantage’s town team – an initiative by Wantage Town Council, the Vale of White District Council and Wantage & District Chamber of Commerce.

Please note: “Wantage presents…” is an open-air performance and so is weather dependent. The organiser may postpone performances at short notice if the weather on the day is very poor.