Alderley Edge is currently hosting its first ever two week music festival, to raise money for Oxfam, with a series of live performances and workshops taking place across the village.
Oxjam Takeover Festival kicked off on Thursday 9th October with The Yard's Oxjam Open Mic and will continue through to Friday, 24th October, when the Grand Finale will take place at the Festival Hall.
So far festival highlights have included the 10th anniversary Alderley Edge Lunchtime Concert featuring students from Chetham's School of Music Manchester and a Dance Jam on Friday 17th when some local business stopped work at 12 noon and took time out to dance.
Then on Saturday 18th musicians and singers were busking around the village - performing on the street as well as in local shops, bars and restaurants. Suzy De Beer kicked off the lunchtime session at The Yard then Tom Ramsbottom, George Marshall, Ewan Alec Sim, Tobias Antonio Gordon and Blues singer Amy all perform a session, popping out in between to busk in the village.
Once The Yard session had wrapped up they all went round as a big group in Alderley Oxjam t-shirts and performed to a stag group at Corks Out before moving on to the De Trafford Ams and Bar and Grill. Ewan Sims then serenaded the girls at the optician and an opera singer performed in The Tea Alchemist.
Events continue this afternoon, Tuesday 21st, with a Patchwork Quilt Project and Afternoon Tea hosted local Oxfam volunteer Anne Hillier. Anne has been creating patches using recycled clothes with embroidered logos of local businesses and establishments significant to Alderley Edge since March this year. This event is an opportunity to go along to The Yard and create your own patch.
The Oxjam Festival will finish off with the Grand Finale competition at the Festival Hall on Friday 24th October which is a free non-ticketed event.
In the style of The Yard's regular Open Mics the finale will have extra flare with a panel of music industry professionals, including Carl Smyth (aka Chas Smash) from Madness, and a celebrity host.
Entertainment will kick off with the Mini Mic Final for young performers from 6pm to 7.30pm, followed by the adult open mic. To round the evening off Carl Smyth will perform a few songs followed by the headline act Dougie James and DJ Edwin Sinclair will be at the decks until 1am. Sourdough pizzas will be available to buy and there will be a fully licensed bar.
Sadie Pickering, the driving force behind Oxjam Alderley Edge, commented "I'm so thrilled by the response around Oxjam Alderley. The buzz round the village is amazing and I'm so grateful to all the talented local performers that have been taking part for Oxfam.
"The Finale this Friday is the perfect way to end the fun with north-west legend Dougie James performing live. Our sponsors have been so supportive and its meant all the money raised goes straight to the charity. A big thank you too to all the local businesses for getting involved - especially for the Finale raffle donations. The Finale going to be a huge night for Alderley - it isn't ticketed now so just check the timings of the kids event and the adults and come on down!"
See our events calendar for further details on each on the events taking place during the Oxjam Alderley Takeover.
If you'd like to add an event to the calendar, offer to volunteer or perform please contact [email protected].
Oxjam tote bags and t-shirts, featuring the special Oxjam Alderley logo, are for sale in local retailers - available in kids, womens and mens sizes.
