Alderley Edge resident Sadie Pickering will perform at the first ever Wilmslow Music Festival.
Sadie, along with two further acts from Wilmslow, have been confirmed this week, as the line up for the Festival continues to grow.
John Mills, the chairman of the organising committee announced "In keeping with our aim to celebrate Wilmslow's home-grown musical talent, we are now able to confirm the names of three further local acts who have agreed to perform at the Festival in July.
"We are particularly pleased that local actress/singer Sadie Pickering; ex High School student Ewan Sim and his band; and 14 year old 'Teen Star' local heat winner Alessia Doyle, have all agreed to perform individual sets at the Festival.
"We want to ensure that the Music Festival appeals to Wilmslow residents of all ages and musical tastes. We believe Sadie, Ewan and Alessia bring a further dimension to our line-up; and will help to make this a night to remember."
Sadie Pickering is known to many local residents for the organic fresh juices she makes at The Yard but she is also a talented actress and singer/songwriter.
She was born in Wilmslow and attended Wilmslow High School, before setting out on an acting and musical career.
Last year Sadie played Shelby in the UK tour of Steel Magnolias for which she received rave reviews. Prior to this Sadie regularly appeared on TV in programmes such as Material Girl, Heartbeat, Doctors, Dalziel & Pascoe and she was an audience favourite as regular character 'Flick Mellor' in Waterloo Road.
In addition Sadie is enjoying a blossoming music career, playing gigs in New York City and Los Angeles as well as at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. She is currently working on new tracks for a new CD with producer Sam Williams (Supergrass, Plan B, & The Noisettes).
Sadie said "I'm so excited and proud to be playing at the festival. Its a great event and wonderful that John is bringing something that supports and celebrates art and creativity to Wilmslow with the emphasis on showcasing local musicians. Theres so much talent here!
"I'm extremely grateful to my old school Wilmslow High for nurturing me with my music - they have a lot of opportunities there for young people to explore their skills.
"All my lunch breaks were in band rehearsals - i was in so many... even a Samba i think!! I ended up sticking with folk and the style of music I was brought up on by my ex-hippy parents - Joni Mitchell, Donovan, James Taylor. Its lovely to be able to share my songs in the place I grew up alongside a great line-up of musicians!"
Wilmslow resident Ewan Sim also attended Wilmslow High School and is currently studying for a music degree at Manchester Metropolitan University whilst embarking on a music career. Ewan has already performed throughout the UK and he is currently writing and recording solo material with Kevin O'Toole of N-Trance, who have sold over 5 million records worldwide, and Mark Lambert who has composed for various TV shows including 'Red Dwarf' and 'Dr Who'.
Alessia Doyle, 14, from Wilmslow has recently won a regional heat of The Teen Star national singing competition for teenage singers and vocal groups in the UK. The competition has attracted over 8,000 acts as it travels across the country in the search for the UK's best adolescent vocalists. Alessia has reached the regional semi final to be held in Manchester later this spring.
The confirmed list of performers now extends to 16 acts, including: Alderley & Wilmslow Musical Theatre Company, Barnby Choir, Cheshire A Cappella, Chordiale (string quartet), Clare Howell (vocalist), Ian Tatlock (guitarist), Lacey Green Primary School Steel Band, Lindow Singers, Lionel Daniels (vocalist), Sotto Voce (choir), TEMPO, Wilmslow High School Band and Wilmslow High School Choir.
John commented: "We are delighted with the current line-up of performers. But we have not closed the door to other local music performers and we hope to be able to announce further acts as they are confirmed. It is our intention to provide an evening of music for everyone – for people from 8 to 80 years old."
The Wilmslow Music Festival will take place on Friday 12th July, kicking off a week end of festivities in Wilmslow, which will also feature the Chapel Lane Street Party on the 13th and the 101st Wilmslow Show on Sunday 14th, having been preceded the previous Saturday (6th July) by the Wilmslow Dean Round Table's Wilmslow Scarecrow Festival & Parade.
Tickets, priced at £12 adults & £5 children, students and seniors, are available via the Wilmslow Music Festival website or via one of the performers listed.
