Village to stage first Kirkby Live event on Saturday

The first in a new series of live music in Kirkby Malzeard will take place on Saturday evening.

The Kirkby Live initiative aims to boost the village economy as well as increase community spirit.

This weekend’s opening event at the Mechanics Institute sees York-based Hyde Family Jam,  who put their own spin on popular hits remixed as ‘folk gone wrong’, take centre stage.

Volunteer and Kirkby parish councillor Jane Aksut, who is organising the event with fellow councillor and volunteer Richard Hughes, said:

“The aim is to build Kirkby Malzeard’s sense of ‘place’ as somewhere people want to live, work, play and invest.

“Kirkby Live is a new part of this relentless drive to make our area a destination and to draw in visitors from outside to support and invest in local business.

“This new venture sees live music hitting Kirkby Malzeard in 2023 with the aim of improving community spirit in this rural area and also benefitting local businesses and community organisations.”

As part of the objective to attract people from the wider area into the village on Saturday, a  coach from Ripon has been arranged, enabling visitors to leave their cars at home and have a drink at the event.

It will leave the city’s bus station at 6.30 pm and will return to Ripon after the concert, leaving Kirkby Malzeard at 10.30 pm.

More information about booking tickets for the coach and the concert can be found by clicking here.

The Hyde Family Jam features vocals, guitar, accordion, violin and double bass. Cllr Hughes said:

“The band is showing their infectious enthusiasm also comes with a huge heart – they are making a great effort to support our rural area by agreeing to play in a much smaller venue than usual, and offering lots of time and advice to help our aim of making Kirkby Malzeard a music venue.”

He added:

“The Kirkby Malzeard Business and Community Group, which is supporting Kirkby Live, focuses on networking to bring together community cohesion and also to promote local businesses and services. This event is a brilliant example of networking, with local businesses, community groups and even the Hyde Family Jam themselves all benefitting from new contacts.”

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