Maiden City Festival gets underway

Visitors and locals alike are invited to “Cheer yourself up with a lunchtime Culture Bite in one of the City’s Cafes. Experience the Living History around the historic Walls and in St Columb’s Cathedral”.

With over sixty performances thoughout the week there is something for everyone at this year’s Maiden City Festival.

It begins with the entertaining big Bluegrass and Folk weekend, with around twenty bands providing two days of top bluegrass, country and roots music.

Starting with Bluegrass on Walls, Saturday 4th, an Assorted Bluegrass concert in the Craft Village in the evening, it’s followed by the Bluegrass Brunch 1-6pm in the Craft Village on Sunday 5th. For the more active, step up to a Line Dance Extravaganza in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 4th starting at 7.30pm.

The lunchtime Culture Bite menu includes Anthony Toner, The Henry Girls, Paul Casey, Conor McAteer, Mama Kaz, Majojian, and many more at eight cafes around the City.

A spokesman said: “We have the biggest ever entry to the annual Highland Dance Competition on the Wednesday. There’s a new Living History character on the Walls. The young will enjoy the lunchtime acoustic sets at Cafe Nervosa, while the young at heart will dance the afternoon away at our hugely popular Tea Dances in the Memorial Hall.

“All events can be found at www.maidencityfestival.com clicking on the programme link, and we are also on Facebook, @MaidenCityFest on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr – search for Maiden City Festival. For Festival tickets and details contact 077 8607 2511 or on our Programme pages http://www.maidencityfestival.com/programme/bookings/

“Download your map and guide for a walk around the walls from www.siegeheroestrail.com and build a day out in Londonderry to take in the drama, the music and the fun of the Maiden City Festival 2012.”

The week culminates in the annual Apprentice Boys parade on August 11.