what's on

The Greenstage began at the National Trust's Hatfield Forest at the annual Woodfest in September 2004. The idea was to have an open-air covered, natural structure in which to perform live music. The prototype structure was a simple A-frame design constructed from Silver Birch from the Forest, inspired by a smaller woodland shelter by a woodturner called Mike Abbott. Part of the woodland management at Hatfield Forest involves removing Silver Birch, from some of the coppices, as they can become too dominant and shade out the native Hazel coppice stools.

The ethos behind the Greenstage is that it is constructed from sustainable, natural materials, which can then be recycled at the end of its life. A Silver Birch stage, for example, can last 2 or 3 seasons, after which it can be put back into the Forest as habitat, or cut up and burnt as logs.

Since 2004 the Greenstage has proved popular at many local events, including Stortford Music Festival, where the Greenstage first appeared in 2005. The fact it can be dismantled, transported and re-erected has enabled the team to provide an open-air covered space at smaller venues. The size of the stage is approximately 16' x 12' and the team are continuing to develop and improve the design further.

Any hardened festival-goer can tell you two things about music festivals: The first is that they are great places to see acts you would normally never go and see, introducing you to some of the great up and coming talents as well as giving you the chance to see some of the most accomplished performers on the musical circuit at that time. The second thing they will mention is that the weather will be completely unpredictable. Possibly recounting a time they were exposed to sunshine, rain, wind and hail all in the course of an hour.

Here in the comfort of the SMF tree house, we have the answer to whatever weather the gods can throw at us in the form of the Acoustic Marquee. It is in here that acts from one of the festival’s principle sponsors, the Acoustic Club (www.acousticclub.co.uk) which is held at the Half Moon pub in Bishop’s Stortford every Thursday, gives the acts that have graced their stage the chance to take the next step and play in front of a much larger audience.

One thing that often holds musicians back from performing to greater numbers of people is not having the equipment and this is one of the brilliant things about the Acoustic Marquee: One of our sponsors, Gig Gear (www.giggear.co.uk), supplies some of these essentials including a manned PA system, as well as a drum kit, bass amplifier and two electric guitar amplifiers for the Green Stage. So, with this kind of support, it is little wonder that so many successful acts have grown and matured from this excellent set up.

Here at SMF headquarters, we understand that two days of solid music may a bit too much for all bar the most ardent music fan, especially for those younger members of the audience. For this reason, we like to put on plenty of other things to keep people’s minds active and little fingers busy. Many of these take place in the Arts Marquee where everyone can safely play.

Here, adults and children can find out how to juggle, or learn craft-skills such as how to make fairy wings and skirts, create fantasy wear, take part in face and body painting, balloon modelling and make lanterns. One of the most talked about craft experiences from last year’s festival was From Garbage to Galliano where, under the expert instruction of Fiona Howarth, people made the most amazing costumes from things that we normally throw away. We are delighted that Fiona has agreed to come back this year and work her magic once more.

Theatre is playing a big part at this year’s festival with performances taking place on the stage in the Arts Marquee. Following its success at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, the Innovation Theatre Company comes to the SMF to perform a play especially devised for the festival. We are also giving a hearty welcome to the Polish Community Theatre who will be improvising Polish legends. Actability will be performing their version of Shakespeare’s Richard III, which has been receiving great reviews.

An entirely different type of performance is guaranteed with a story-telling session with puppets. This is preceeded with a puppet-making session with the puppets being used in the performance. So, as you can see, the Stortford Music Festival is much more than just a festival of music.

A new gang of promoters have become involved with the Stortford Music Festival this year, and they’re bringing with them some indie rock excellence. Based at the Half Moon on North Street, Bishops Stortford, Club Blub is a regular night that each month attracts some of the most promising new live bands.

Launched in September last year the night is already becoming the Saturday evening destination of choice for the region’s most discerning indie fans, and now the people behind the venture are using their knowledge to add some young rock n roll to the festival bill.

James Webb, one of the Club Blub promoters, said: “Since we started Club Blub we’ve put on some amazing bands, and we’ve handpicked some of our favourites to comeback to Bishops Stortford to play the festival.

The calibre of acts we’ve got booked is second to none. So if you like indie, we’re confident you’ll love what we’ve got lined up. Club Blub will be taking over the Green Stage on the Sunday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm.

On the bill are Harlow’s fast-rising 60s troupe Penny Royal, Steve Lamacq favourites Little Thief from Bedfordshire, Bishops Stortford’s Sub Pop Sunday, and The Raid - a swaggering rock n roll band who’ve been playlisted by XFM and tipped for greatness by everyone from The Mirror and The Star to national music magazine The Fly.

"For people familiar with the Stortford Music Festival, we hope this is something a little different to what they’ve seen previously," said James. "For those music fans who are coming down especially to see some live indie, we’re absolutely certain they’re going to be going home buzzing from the bands that are on show."

For more information about Club Blub and the acts that are lined up to play the night in the coming months, visit CLUB BLUB @ MySpace

With workshops ranging from Mongolian throat singing to clog step dancing, there’s something for everyone, and as Pam Johnson, festival workshop co-ordinator, explained, "it gives people a rare chance to enjoy something totally out of the ordinary". She said: "Since it first started workshops have been an important part of what the festival is all about, and this year we’ve got more than ever before. The idea is to get local people involved and encourage everyone to have a go themselves. They really will be a lot of fun."

All the workshops are run by experts from around the Bishop's Stortford area, and there is no additional cost for those that want to take part. Other workshops scheduled to take place this year include group drumming and percussion led by GigGear; ukulele for beginners which is being run by the newly formed Bishops Stortford ukulele society; samba drumming techniques with local troupe Sambatastic; blues harmonica which is being led by talented local player Mike Rasmussen; and Egyptian dance.

Each workshop is open to all but the very young, and equipment will be provided - the only exception being the harmonica workshop where people wishing to take part are asked to bring their own instrument. The times of each workshop, along with more details about what’s involved, will be advertised on the festival website nearer the event.

Go to any decent festival anywhere in the UK and you will find that the site is more of a self-contained village with all of your needs catered for; and Stortford Music Festival (SMF) is no different. Aside from the excellent, near non-stop music, and the plethora of entertainments being held in the Arts Marquee and other locations around the festival site, there is also an abundance of stalls at which festival-goers can spend some of their hard-earned cash to help make their weekend one of the most enjoyable of the year to date.

We in the SMF tree house encourage people to bring their own picnics and a rug and just enjoy themselves. However, we all know how things sometimes are and food may be gobbled up, or you may just find yourself fancying something different to what you packed that morning. If this is the case, fear not. On site you’ll find a vast selection of stalls offering things for all tastes including one specialising in vegetarian food as well as others with more ‘traditional’ festival fare. There is a splendid beer tent selling locally produced beers and ciders, and if you need something hot and warming there’s even a coffee stall.

One of the workshops being provided is on circus skills and it should prove to be tons of fun. If this gives you the performing bug, then you’ll be delighted to learn that there is a stall where you can buy anything from basic juggling skills up to more advanced items. Who knows, you may find yourself going home on your very own unicycle. One fascinating stall is the blacksmith’s that comes complete with forge, anvil and hammers. This man can make almost anything ordered; from flowers to fire-hoods. It is an amazing chance to see this traditional craft being demonstrated at such a high level right before your eyes. The guy is amazing to watch.

As if that wasn’t enough, I haven’t had time to mention the other traders selling items such as jewellery, clothing, leather goods, pop art and arts and crafts. You want more? How about there being a large selection of locally grown plants for sale for you to take home.

In the true spirit of the Stortford Music Festival, this year’s event isn’t only about turning up to watch a diverse array of musical talent – if you’re a dab hand with an instrument yourself, you can get involved too. So if you’re a woodwind whiz kid, a guitar guru or a promising percussionist, this is your chance to show what you’ve got.

The idea behind the scheme is to give everyone, regardless of skill level or style of music, an opportunity to perform and become involved with the festival. And it couldn’t be easier to join in. To take part simply turn up with an instrument, head over to the beer tent and sign up for a slot. Everyone’s welcome, the only condition is that whatever you play, it must be acoustic.

Festival director Annie Compton explained further: "This year a section of the beer tent will be turned into an all-weekend sing-a-long, and we encourage anyone who’d like to perform to come along and give us an acoustic rendition of whatever they like. It can be blues, folk, pop, whatever. There really are no boundaries as far as that’s concerned - people can even recite a poem or tell a joke if they like. The only rule is that there’s no stage, no PA, no amplification. Just you!"

"It’s things like this that add another dimension to the festival, and we hope a lot of people will join in."

Also in the beer tent, festival goers will this year be able to sample an ale created especially for the event by the Green Tye Brewery.