Singers and musicians from as far as the Philippines, Zimbabwe and Canada will be arriving in Chester to take part in a mini international celebration.  The international performers will add to a programme which blends some of our finest local musicians with high ranking performers of all ages from across the world in a mini festival which is being hosted by St Mary’s Creative Space in the city centre.

We have been working with the International Eisteddfod to provide choirs and dancers the chance to visit the city on their way to Llangollen where they will be taking part in the high profile competitions there. Artistic Director Matt Baker, who recently brought hundreds of singers together in Chester City Centre to perform for the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations, said, “The standard and range of international performers at Llangollen is breathtaking, and we have been working with the organisers to not only give some of these visiting groups the chance to visit our beautiful city, but to give people in Chester a glimpse of what amazing things happen just a few miles away from here in Llangollen every year. “ He added “But we also have some great choirs and musicians of all ages in Cheshire, and so we wanted to create line up of local and worldwide acts to form an intimate celebration with an international flavour.”

The festival, entitled ‘The Hills Are Alive” takes place from Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 July and will feature the following groups;

Cantilon – an exciting young choir from Alberta Canada

Coro San Benildo – a choir of young performers from the Philippines

Mother Touch Dance Group  - a children’s dance ensemble from Zimbabwe

Hillside Singers – dynamic young singers from Helsby

The Fireflies – a vivacious all women’s choir from Cheshire

Soundwall – a music sensation from Chester

Hope Street Harmonies – a terrific close harmony group from Liverpool

The Little Big Band – a fantastic musical ensemble from Chester

Matt Baker concludes “This is a wonderful addition to the city’s cultural calendar, and in the intimate and beautiful setting of St Mary’s Creative Space. We hope that people will come along and support these musicians, whether they are from another continent or just up the road. We hope that this is just the beginning of a celebration that will grow each year. It has been terrific to partner up with the International Eistedfodd for this, and we hope that visitors to our mini festival will also have a glimpse of what is on offer just over the border on the following days.”  More information can be found by visiting www.stmaryscreativespace.co.uk/whatson/ . Tickets for each event are just £5 from www.ticketsource.co.uk/creativemarys