Maldon Festival launches the 2021 'Fresh Start Festival'
The Maldon Festival is delighted to launch its 2021 programme covering a fortnight of art and music, to be performed live for socially distanced audiences. The 2021 Festival fortnight runs over three weekends from June 25th to July 11th and many of the events will be staged in the open air. The programme features all the audience favourites from previous years: a children’s concert*, an open-air opera, a seaside Soul concert, a silent movie night, a choral performance starring local choirs and leading professional performers, a Jazz extravaganza plus headline concerts featuring award winning artists.
Colin Baldy, the Festival’s Creative Director comments: “There is such demand for live performance this year. We have a loyal audience for the Maldon Festival who tell us they have missed the experience of shared performance and art so much. As a result, we are determined to get shows and performances back on stage for our audience in 2021. Lockdown has proved that sharing the experience of live performances and creative activities is really important to our sense of well-being. The effect of joining together with others to enjoy music and art in a common space will be electrifying because of how much it has been missed. We can’t wait!”
The Year of the Organ
2021 is also the year of the organ for the Maldon Festival. The opening recital features world-renowned British organist, Daniel Moult, famous for bringing all the drama of organ music to life, whether it be bombastic grandeur or soul-searching intimacy. He will play the wonderful pipe organ by Klais/Hey Orgelbau that is newly installed at St Mary’s Church and which has already attracted much attention as a unique addition to region’s musical heritage. The organ is being dedicated by the Bishop of Bradwell at 10am on 20th June, to which all are invited. The organ will also feature in the Charlie Chaplin themed Silent Movie night, a Jazz Concert and in several solo recitals
2021 Theme: The Fresh Start Festival
The theme for 2021 is ‘The Fresh Start Festival’. This is because the opportunity of being able to sing, play music and display art and sculpture will be a breath of fresh air, after so long. It is also because, as far as possible, the Festival will be staged with open-air venues, to encourage audiences to be confident that they can safely enjoy concerts together, while still observing Covid-safe practices. Finally, the Festival organisers felt that after being locked away in our homes for so long, the Festival was the mark of a fresh start for the audiences and the performers and artists who have been without a platform for so long. Finally, the Festival is concerned for those recovering from the on-going effects of the Pandemic, for whom music and art can provide relief and restoration.
In concluding, Colin Badly said: “The Festivals organisers felt we must come out of lockdown with something that was enhanced and progressive. We are delighted to be welcoming audiences in person, subject to whatever government restrictions are in place over the fortnight. However, we are also aiming to offer live streaming of our concerts to ensure the widest audience possible can be involved.
Seeking sponsors and Supporters for 2021
The Festival is still looking for sponsors for the 2021 Festival. Sponsors will gain exposure with locals across Maldon and audiences across Essex, as the Festival is widely supported by the local and regional media. In previous years, local businesses in the food and drink sector have been very generous sponsors and have benefitted from the opportunity to sample their products to the Festival Audience. Local businesses in the construction and professional service areas have also provided support that has been recognised and appreciated by the Festival’s audiences.