Celebrate Midsummer’s Day in style on Saturday 21st June with Retford’s annual Make Music Day. Musicians from the local community and beyond will be performing throughout the town between 9.30am and 4.00pm, in addition to the Retford Big Market festivities.
A wide variety of musical groups – some familiar and others delightfully unexpected – will bring Retford to life, performing across several venues including the Market Square, Library, Grove Street Methodist Church and Bassetlaw Museum. Visitors may also spot wandering minstrels weaving through the town.
This free event welcomes all ages, with many performances suitable for families and opportunities to sing along. Ample seating will be available, and attendees are encouraged to bring friends, family and perhaps a flask of tea or coffee. Local cafés, pubs, and Grove Street Methodist Church will also be open for refreshments.
The musical line-up includes Hathersage Brass Band, one or more Ukulele groups, Worksop’s Simply Swing Band, The MOB, Retford Community Choir, the Zoomers and Rattlejaggers, Slurs and Trills, North Notts Makaton Choir, Retford Recorder Ensemble, Making Music Group, Rhyme Rattle and Roll, The Edwardians, Susan Hassall, Alistair Pearson and others.
Highlights of the day include:
- Hathersage Brass Band performing at the Market in the morning.
- From 10.00am, The MOB will preview their upcoming performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the garden at Bassetlaw Museum.
- Around midday, the Worksop Simply Swing Band will perform at Grove Street Methodist Church.
Should it rain, events planned for the Market Square will move to indoor locations such as the Library or Bassetlaw Museum on Grove Street.
From 7.30pm, a local pub will host an informal evening session – musicians are welcome to bring along any instrument (or their voice) and join in, or simply enjoy the atmosphere with a drink.
Buskers are especially welcome and are free to choose a spot and join the musical celebrations.
To book a playing slot or find out more, contact Tessa Rolph on 01777 472461. Further updates can be found closer to the date on the Retford noticeboard on Spa Road (by Poundland, formerly Wilko), or visit www.facebook.com/RetfordMakeMusicDay. Timetables will also be available on the day from the Library on Churchgate or any participating venue.