A 20-strong orchestra will play music by Pink Floyd in the first outdoor concert to be held at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough.

Paradox Orchestra will perform hits such as Wish You Were Here, Money, and Comfortably Numb in an event on September 3 celebrating 50 years of one of the most influential rock groups in history.

The grounds of the grade two listed venue near the River Nidd in Knaresborough can hold up to 2,000 people.

A number of food and drink vendors will also attend the concert by candlelight to give it a festival feel.

Paradox Orchestra features classically-trained musicians who reimagine rock, pop, and dance classics.

Founder and artistic director Michael Sluman said:

“Like a sonic time machine, Pink Floyd’s music has taken us on a journey through the past 50 years, capturing the essence of each era and leaving an indelible mark on the history of music.

“Paradox Orchestra is looking forward to performing their greatest hits in such a stunning backdrop.”

“We promise audiences an incredibly high-level of musicianship on stage, as well as a showmanship associated with world-class large-scale orchestras.”

Tickets cost £25. Further information is available here.

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This article is sponsored by Sounds in the Grounds.

Three spectacular concerts are headed for the stunning grounds of Ripley Castle on 20-22 August.

Audiences can enjoy an evening of internationally renowned tribute performances from their own designated picnic patch – for two, four or six people – which will be socially distanced from others but close enough to share the fun.

What’s more, the patches are pre-distributed – so there’s no need to arrive hours early to mark your spot, only to have someone stand in front of you at the last moment. Tickets start from the equivalent of £29.50 per person when you buy your patch.

The Definitive Rat Pack and One Night of Tina

Sounds in the Grounds at Ripley Castle features three concerts:

• Friday 20 August: The Definitive Rat Pack featuring an uncannily accurate recreation of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr in a sublime evening of swing;
• Saturday 21 August: A spectacular rock ‘n’ rollercoaster ride through four decades of the legendary Tina Turner’s greatest hits in One Night of Tina;
• Sunday 22 August: Killer Queen, who recreate the iconic songs and showmanship of one of the greatest ever rock bands with such electrifying precision audiences may wonder if they’re back in the 80s at a real Queen performance.

Glastonbury favourite The New York Brass Band will get all three parties started as the support act to each concert, performing a different repertoire every night – from jazz to 80s to current hits.

Killer Queen and The New York Brass Band

Audiences are advised to bring their own chairs and picnics, or purchase food and drink on site from one of the vendors – including the Yorkshire Bus Bar.

Organiser James Cundall said:

“I’m delighted that after the success of Sounds in the Grounds last summer, we are back! These picnic concerts are a great opportunity to get together and enjoy a fun night of live music in a stunning setting in a socially distanced way. From the glorious iconic songs of Sinatra to the rock classics of Tina Turner and Queen, I hope we have something for everyone.”

“Importantly it’s an opportunity for both musicians and crew to showcase their talent again after months of inactivity during these difficult times.”

“Our picnic patch concept enables patrons to pre-book their own designated space, thereby eliminating that mad scramble for the best site which often mars an outdoor concert! Our audiences can turn up when it suits them and know they will have a safe and fun evening.”

Get your tickets here.

Tickets for Knaresborough FEVA festival have gone on sale after the committee decided next month’s event will go ahead.

The festival of entertainment and visual arts, which is taking place for the 25th time, will feature the likes of poet Simon Armitage, singer-songwriter Jez Lowe and the musician Snake Davis.

Shops have begun decorating their windows in the pink theme in preparation for 10 days of arts at multiple Knaresborough venues.

Planning was delayed this year due to the uncertainty surrounding the lifting of covid restrictions but Gwen Lloyd, the FEVA chairperson, said the committee was now working hard on making it happen.

The event, from August 13 to 22, will feature indoor and outdoor events, including numerous workshops for all ages and hobbies, as well as the much-loved Picnic in the Park.

Picnic in the Park, which is being held on August 21, normally attracts about 450 people to the grounds of Knaresborough House for a free afternoon of music. DJ Trev is among this year’s acts.

To celebrate the 25th festival, a special event will be held in the grounds of Henshaws Arts and Craft Centre at which some 300 people will enjoy music.

Yorkshire Life Aquatic, the dry land synchronised swimmers, will be performing.

The street performers on Market Place will include a Punch and Judy act, jesters and dry land synchronised swimmers will be performing.

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Ms Lloyd said:

“It’s been months of planning, of course it’s nerve wracking because normally tickets are nearly sold out at this point but we have had to wait for lockdown announcements. I’m sure it’ll be a huge success.”

The festival programme is available here.

Tewit Youth Band‘s first public performance for 18 months yesterday coincided with a huge thunderstorm in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens.

Because band members had to be spaced two metres apart die to covid, over half were outside the bandstand on the grass and fully exposed to the downpour.

Despite this, the band played on and completed the entire programme.

The local was joined by the world famous brass band Black Dyke Band, which filled in for some Tewit members who were isolating due to covid.

They were halfway through the programme when the heavens opened.

Colin Gibbs president of Tewit Youth Band, said:

“The band played on through it all and fully completed their program, which was exceedingly appreciated by the audience who bravely stayed on under cover of umbrellas and waterproofs.

“Their musical director, Martin Hall, and those band members out in the open were completely saturated but were delighted to have been able to play in a live concert for the first time in 18 months due to lockdown. A credit to the youth of today.”

Musical director Martin Hall

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After the youth band’s performance, Black Dyke Band took to the bandstand alone and due to its smaller size all of the musicians could fit under the shelter.

The concert was funded by Arts Council England‘s Culture Recovery Fund, which awarded Black Dyke Band a grant to play with a budding group of its choice.

The Tewit Band practises at the old Methodist Chapel in Huby. It has about 100 members and four groups ranging in ages.