Summer Festival Guide 2009

Shropshire and the West Midlands play host to a fabulous feast of festivals each year, showcasing everything from top music talent to weird and wonderful events around the region.

Check out our photo gallery guide and you'll find plenty of reasons to venture outdoors this summer.

Leasowes Music Festival, touted as 'one of England's remotest music festivals', is a uinque and popular event which takes place in a converted barn in splendid countryside wedged between the rocky Stiperstones and the rolling Long Mynd.

Its tranquil and informal setting provides a unique backdrop for all genres of music, from classical compositions to swinging saxophone-led jazz, making Leasowes an unmissable festival experience.

This year's acts include jazz composer Andrea Vicari, renowned soprano Patricia Rozario, lively jazz quintet Jutta's Party Band, classical duo Craig Ogden and Alison Stephens, and the poet Roger Garfitt.

Dates: July 11 - 25

Location: Leasowes Bank Farm, Ratlinghope, Shropshire

Website: www.leasowesmusicfestival.co.uk

The International Musical Eisteddfod at Llangollen is a world-renowned arts festival which brings together music, song and dance from across the world in a week-long event.

Previous Eisteddfod's have played host to the likes of Luciano Pavarotti (in 1955 and 1995), Placido Domingo (in 1968), as well as world-renowned sopranos ranging from Kiri Te Kanawa to Bryn Terfel.

Confirmed acts this year include the multimillion selling recording artist and West End Star, Barbara Dickson, as well as Eisteddfod favourite Williard White, Classical Brit Award Winners, Blake, and a host of day sessions with top international music and dance artists.

Dates: July 6 - 12 July

Locations: Various (see website for details)

Website: www.international-eisteddfod.co.uknextpage

Festival @ The Edge, or FATE as it's known to seasoned festival goers, is a magical mix of old and new tales from top international story tellers, told through performance, music, comedy and poetry.

This compelling two-day event, which takes place in a picturesque greenfield site on Wenlock Edge, also features a range of family-friendly workshops and sessions, along with storytelling bonfires, on-site camping and a CAMRA real-ale bar.

Dates: July 17 - 19

Location: Stokes Barn, Much Wenlock, Shropshire

Website: www.festivalattheedge.orgnextpage

Wolvestock Country Music Festival, now in its 15th year, is an eagerly-anticipated country music event packed with live acts, line dancing and plenty of other attractions over the weekend.

Desdribed as the UK's largest free-entry country festival, the venue has a campsite, fun fair, trade stalls and licenced bars.

Confirmed acts this year include Diablos, Rebel Creek, Travis Logan, Indiana Rain, Railroad Hobos, Nancy Ann Lee, Donna Wylde and Arizona Flame, amongst many others.

Dates: July 25 - 26

Location: East Park, Wolverhampton

Website: www.wolvescivic.co.uknextpage

Farmer Phil's Festival is the brainchild of music-savvy Shropshire farmer Phil Harding.

The two-day knees-up takes place on his farm in the rolling Shropshire hills, and features a veritable line up of bands on an impressive 'revolving' stage engineered by Phil himself from an 8-cow rotary milking carousel!

This year's acts include Never the Bride, The Splitters, The Coal Porters, Denny Lloyd, Flipron, Bleeding Harts and Weapons of Sound, with a fireworks finale on the last night.

The festival caters for 2,000 people. Camping, food and drink are available on site (which also caters for vegetarians) as well as licensed bars, stalls, craft and merchandise tends, woodcarving, alternative therapies, music workshops, a comedy tent and a quiet family area.

Dates: August 14 - 16

Location: Near Gatten Farm, Ratlinghope, Nr Shrewsbury

Website: www.farmerphilsfestival.co.uknextpage

The V Festival at Weston Park has become one of the UK's biggest and best-known live events, bringing together a myriad of chart-topping indie and pop acts in a two-day festival.

This year's line up includes Oasis, Snow Patrol, Elbow, The Killers, Razorlight, The Specials, Lily Allen, The Script, Taylor Swift, Starsailor, James, Ocean Colour Scene, Biffy Clyro, James Morrison, Keane, The Enemy, Paolo Nutini, Katy Perry, Athlete, The Proclaimers, Dizzee Rascal, Calvin Harris, Jet, The Wombats and Pendulum, amongst many others.

Dates: August 22 - 23

Location: Weston Park, Nr Albrighton, Staffordshire

Website: www.vfestival.comnextpage

Shrewsbury Folk Festival is a hugely popular event for folk lovers and families alike. Originally held in Bridgnorth, it is now based in Shrewsbury following increasing demand from the visitors it attracts from all over the world.

The event packs in a host of undiscovered and renowned artists and entertainers from the likes of the Proclaimers, Eric Bibb, Seth Lakeman, Show of Hands, Hoven Droven, Ollabelle, Chris Smither, Corinne West, The Dust Poets and Spooky Men's Chorale.

There'll also be a wonderful mix of colourful marquees, tents and stages hosting a range of extra events and workshops, along with craft stalls and a fantastic tented bar, and festival goers can even hire a fully furnished, authentic Tipi for the duration of the show.

Dates: August 28 - 31

Location: The West Midland Showground, Shrewsbury

Website: www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uknextpage

The fourth annual Bridgnorth Music Festival is held in aid of Save The Children and Cancer Research UK this year, and showcases top local talent at various venues throughout the town.

The festival kicks off on August 28 at the Bell and Talbot pub with local band Shebangg and continues on August 29 with Chelfest, a family day with jazz and accoustic music and a BBQ at Chelmarsh Sports and Social Club.

On August 30, Bridgnorth High Street will come alive with an afternoon of music at Paul Woodhead's One Man Band at the Severn Valley Railway, then on August 31, the Quayside features a live outdoor accoustic concert.

The event wraps up on September 5 in the Castle Park with accoustic music in the bandstand during the afternoon, and an End of Festival Party at the White Lion.

Dates: August 28 - September 5

Locations: Various (see website for details)

Website: www.bridgnorthmusicfest.com