Moseley Festival back for 2016

Arts festival details announced.

Programmes are now available for this year’s Moseley Festival.

The Moseley Festival (not to be confused with the Moseley Folk Festival) typically sees thousands of residents and visitors flock to the lively South Birmingham suburb.
The festival, which is perhaps best known for the annual street fair, has been run in the village since 1974, when Mud, ABBA and The Osmonds were hitting the charts.

This year’s street fair is on Saturday 2nd July and will take over the Village Green and parts of Alcester Road and St Mary’s Row for a day. bIt features scores of stalls with arts and crafts, hot and cold food, as well as charities and community groups from Birmingham and around the West Midlands.

The street fair day also gives non-residents a special opportunity to explore the beautiful Moseley Park and Pool. Pam Rutter, a member of the Festival’s organising committee, said: “A couple of years ago, we celebrated the Festival’s 40th birthday, and it’s great to see that it’s still going from strength to strength.

“Moseley Festival’s showcase event is the annual street fair, but there’s so much more to offer at this year’s Festival. There’s also a wide range of musical performances from classical to reggae, from Brazilian to folk, and from jazz to hip hop.”

Other highlights over the ten day programme to be announced so far include live comedy and dance performances, as well as arts and cultural events. Foodies with an eye for a bargain might want to look out for the food stalls at the street fair, as well as a few tempting offers at local cafés and restaurants throughout the festival.

Over the years, the festival has seen great-value performances by local bands including UB40. That tradition continues this year, with the opportunity to see five different bands in one night at the Patrick Kavanagh for just £6. There are also performances by two local choirs; The Choir With No Name, and female close-harmony choir Magenta, which celebrates its 10th birthday on Sunday 3rd July with a workshop in Moseley Buddhist Centre.

Visitors to the Mostly Jazz, Soul & Funk Festival, which takes place this year between 8th and 10th July, will also be able to catch the events at local businesses as part of the community festival.

You can have a go at a new hobby, with taster classes including singing, golf and dancing, as well as gin tasting sessions at the Prince of Wales.

Pam added: “I’m really excited about the line-up for this year’s Moseley festival. Every year we welcome people from across Birmingham and further afield to discover our fantastic, cosmopolitan suburb, and I think we really do have something for everyone.

“The festival is led by residents and local businesses, and showcases the great community spirit in Moseley Village.”

The full programme for the Moseley Festival can be found at: www.moseleyfestival.org.uk.