Dancing in the Street: Mini Eisteddfod Comes to Chester

Chester City Centre played host to a vibrant display of music and dance on Monday 3rd July, as an international street festival marked the start of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod’s 70th anniversary festival and it’s ‘mini Eisteddfod’ in Chester.

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s outreach project with St Mary’s Creative Space in Chester saw Palmdale High School Chamber Singers from USA, Lovely Professional University dance group from India, Baao children and youth choir from the Philippines, Parkie Choir (Monument Park High School) from South Africa join with children from St Werburghs Primary School and Mill View Primary School to open the festivities.

Chester International Music Week, which is sponsored by solicitor’s firm Russell & Russell, will feature shows from the Llangollen Eisteddfod’s international performers and Chester-based groups such as A Handbag of Harmonies and the City of Chester Brass Band. The evening shows will take place at St Mary’s Creative space on Tuesday 4th July, Wednesday 5th July and Thursday 6th July.

Programmer for St Mary’s Creative Space, Erin Elston, said: “The street festival perfectly captured the spirit of the Eisteddfod, with plenty of colour, singing and dancing – it was a fantastic start to an exciting week ahead.

“We hope that the street party will encourage people to attend the shows at St Mary’s Creative Space and also to events that are taking place in Llangollen throughout next week, right up to Sunday 9th July.”

Eilir Owen Griffiths, Music Director at the International Eisteddfod, said: “We hope that the ‘mini-Eisteddfod’ will give Chester residents a taste of the energy and vibrancy of the Llangollen Eisteddfod itself.

“There is a wealth of competitions and live performances each day from Wednesday 5th July and there are still tickets left for our evening concerts, which include Tosca with Sir Bryn Terfel [Tues 4th], Gregory Porter [Fri 7th], Choir of the World featuring The Overtones [Sat 8th] and of course the Manics and Reverend and The Makers on Sunday night.”

For tickets and information about the ‘mini Eisteddfod’ visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/creativmarys or call the box office on 07854550549.

For tickets and information on the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, please click here