Springtime in Avalon: apple orchards in blossom, lambs cavorting on the hillsides – and the nation’s news media, previewing the summer festival season, declare that Glastonbury is “cancelled”. 

Well, the festival at Worthy Farm may well be having a year off but Glastonbury, the town, is hoping to help to fill the space. A loose alliance of local entrepreneurs and volunteers have organised the first annual “Glastonbury Fringe” to remind the world that the town is here and – as always – well worth a visit. 

The Fringe (we can’t call it a “festival”) spans the 11 days between Sunrise Celebration being held nearby at Bruton and Orchestra in a Field being held in Glastonbury Abbey– 21st June to 1st July – so there is plenty of reasons to come and to stay. The Fringe celebrates Glastonbury’s vibrant music and arts scene, with some 100 independently organised events confirmed at virtually every venue in town. Music dominates the programme – an eclectic mix ranging from rock to Bach – plus dance, art, poetry, film, theatre, crafts and more. 

A wealth of local talent will be sparked by some impressive imports,

including: folk legend Martin Carthy, The Odd Socks Theatre with a uniquely comic take on Shakespeare, an early appearance by the new Reef/Faithless spin-off Goldray, a film premiere The Secrets of the Glastonbury Zodiac - Temple of the Stars, and inspired “fool” Jonathan Kay. There will be a Pirate’s Ball hosted by celtic folk-rockers The Dolmen, and a big outdoor event, SummerDaze – rounds out the final weekend with bands including Babyhead, OOOD and more. And none of this will it break the bank as most events cost less than £10 and many are free! 

The size and scope of the Fringe has exceeded all expectations. 

“We originally were thinking about a small-scale programme over a few days, with perhaps three or four events per night,” says Sara Clay. “The idea was simply to demonstrate the benefits of joining up individual creative efforts under one banner to publicise the town. We never expected it to grow this big so quickly – it really is Glastonbury magic!” 

Town and District Councillor Steve Henderson is less surprised. “The people of Glastonbury have always known that we have a wealth of talent in the town,” he says. Steve, a musician himself and proprietor of a High Street business, has organised several gigs for the Fringe, including SummerDayz. “We are saying to the rest of the country, come to the Fringe.

Enjoy 11 days of music, art and entertainment, in one of the most beautiful towns in England: Glastonbury, Somerset.” 

The message is getting across. The Fringe team report enquiries from all over the UK, with visitors expected from as far away as Liverpool, London, North Wales and Portugal.Tickets on sale HERE 

GLASTONBURY FRINGE 2012 LINEUP

MUSIC

Goldray, Martin Carthy, Babyhead, The Dolmen, Ben Marwood, Jim Lockley and the Solemn Sun, Alchemysts of Sound, Gaz Brookfield, Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs, Hollow Giants, House of Commoners, Laughing Buddah Live, Nick Parker, Oleander Brown, OOOD, Oxygen Thief, Will and the People, Chris Austwick, Duncan Batey, Black Magic Woman, Blipverts, The Broken Chord, Cantilena Choir, John Dalton, Dora Darling and Friends, Richard de Bastion,DJP Miles, Felix El Gato (DJ), Flatland Boogie Band, The Floor Below, Bob Gallie, Tim Hall and Friends, Emma Harper, Hatty and Oz, Steve Henderson, Hitchcock Blonde, Kohiba, Lauren, Wayne Lee, Manuka Root, Mid Life Crisis, Mr Keep Calm, Josie Nightingale, Pass the Hat, Julie Patchouli, Seth Peachey, Lea Rahn and Daisy, Reggae Pirates, Rob & Charlie, Alex Roberts, Schwing, Seedy Cases, Martin Sheils, Streaming Lights, Stroud Baroque, Sudha and Ravi, Dawn Taylor, Van Grahams, Vela. 

DANCE

Nigel May, Barefoot Belly Dancers, Belly Belles. 

THEATRE, COMEDY & SPOKEN WORD

Oddsocks Theatre, Jonathan Kay, Dearbhaile Bradley, Stuart Packer, Carol Poetess, The Strange Sisters, Jo Waterworth

GLASTONBURY FRINGE 2012 - PROGRAMME     

Thursday 21st June

2.00pm - 4.00pm Opening Event - a taste of things to come at St Dunstan's Car Park, Magdalene Street Free

7.00pm - 9.30pm Oddsocks Theatre present Julius Caesar at Glastonbury Abbey £10/£8 advance
7.30pm - 10.00pm Shamanic Trance Dance Workshop with Zelia at the Assembly Rooms £10/£8
7.00pm - midnight Lightworker's Lounge Solstice Special at the King Arthur with Stuart Packer and the Alchemysts of Sound Free
7.00pm - midnight Stackerz Open Deck Night at the Market House Inn Free
8.00pm - 9.30pm Julie Patchouli sings Songs of Love and Cheese at the Café Galatea Free
8.30pm -11.30pm The Hawthorn Sessions with the Last Hawthorns, Mr Keep Calm and Lauren at the Hawthorns Pass the Hat
9.00pm - 11.30pm Rife's Jam Session at the Rifleman's Arms Free   

Friday 22nd June  

11.00am to 4.00pm Blacksmiths Workshop with the Wenches Forge at Somerset Rural Life Museum - children welcome! Free
8.00pm - midnight Chart DJ (BBQ from 3.00pm) at The Market House Inn Free
8.30pm - midnight Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs at the Rifleman's Arms Free
9.00pm - midnight Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun, Gaz Brookfield and Oleander Brown at Tor Leisure £5
9.00pm  DJP Miles at The Crown Free
9.00pm - midnight The House of Commoners at the King Arthur £2.00   

Saturday 23rd June  

Lunch & Evening John Dalton plays Harp at the Cafe Galatea Free
7.30pm - 9.30pm Pop Up Cafe. Music and refreshments prompted by Christian Spirituality, at the Bay Tree Cafe Free
7.30pm to 10.30pm Wine, Flowers and Song. Flower Festival preview with wine,and song by Robert Clark at St John's Church £3
7.30pm - 12.30am Pirate's Ball with The Dolmen featuring the Pirates Keeep with the Poole Buccaneers at the Town Hall £12
8.00pm - midnight ERN n Remedy DJ night at the Market House Inn Free
9.00pm  Ben Marwood, Oxygen Thief and Nick Parker at Tor Leisure £5
9.00pm - midnight Goldray at the King Arthur £5
9.00pm  Black Magic Woman at The Crown Free
9.00pm  Flatland Boogie Band at the King William Free
9.00pm  Streaming Lights at the Rifleman's Arms Free

Sunday 24th June  

Lunch & Evening John Dalton plays Harp at the Cafe Galatea Free
5.00pm - 7.00pm Backdoor Blues Jam at the Rifleman's Arms Free
6.30pm  Charity screening of 'Serenity' [PG13] at Tor Leisure £5.00
7.00pm - midnight Nice N Easy Karaoke at the Market House Inn Free
8.30pm - 11.00pm Vela at the George and Pilgrim Pass the Hat
9.00pm  Karaoke at The Crown Free   

Monday 25th June  

10.00am - 12.30pm Poetry Workshop with Jo Waterworth at the Bay Tree Cafe From £10
4.00pm  Screening of 'Tangled' [U] at Tor Leisure £2.50/£1.00
7.00pm  Screening of 'Dalai Lama - Renaissance' (documentary) at Tor Leisure £2.50/£1.00
7.30pm  - 9.00pm A Cantilena Miscellany with the Cantilena Choir at The United Reform Church £5 (under 14s free)
8.30pm - 11.30pm The Hawthorn Sessions with Kevin Spears and The Broken Chord, Dawn Taylor, Carol Poetess and Seth Peachey at the Hawthorns Pass the Hat

Tuesday 26th June  

10.00am - 12.30pm Poetry Workshop with Jo Waterworth at the Bay Tree Cafe From £10
1.00pm - 2.00pm Vela at St John's Church Pass the hat
4.00pm   Screening of 'The Adventures of Tintin' (2011 version) at Tor Leisure             £2.50/£1.00
7.00pm - midnight Extended Open Mike Night at the Hawthorns Free
7.30pm - 9.30pm Sudha and Ravi in Concert at the United reform Church £8/£6
8.00pm - 10.30pm Salsa Classes (beginners and improvers plus free dancing) at the Mitre £4/£6
8.00pm - 11.00pm Fabulous Furry Folk Night present Martin Carthy with support Dora Darling and Friends at the Assembly Rooms £10   

Wednesday 27th June  

10.00am - 12.30pm Poetry Workshop with Jo Waterworth at the Bay Tree Cafe From £10

Noon - 4.00pm Folk Fair with Steve Henderson, Duncan Batey, Martin Shields and Vela at Sharpham Tea Garden Free
4.00pm  Screening of 'Arrietty' [U] at Tor Leisure £2.50/£1.00
7.00pm  Screening of 'Princess Monokoke' [PG13] at Tor Leisure £2.50/£1.00
7.00pm - 9.00pm Ancient Wisdom - a concert of sacred songs, poems and readings at Shekinashram £5
7.30pm - 9.30pm Shamanic Drumming Workshop at the Assembly Rooms £8/£7
7.30pm - 10.00pm Film Premiere of The Secrets of the Glastonbury Zodiac - Temple of the Stars at the Town Hall £3
7.00pm - midnight Glastonbury Live Fringe Special with the Reggae Pirates, The Floor Below, Emma Harper and Blipverts  at the King Arthur Free
8.00pm   An Evening with the Strange Sisters - Gillian Booth, Dearbhaile Bradley, Rachael Clyne and Jo Waterworth read their poetry plus open mike at the Camino Centre £5
8.30pm - 10.45pm Jive class and dance at the Avalon Constitutional Club £5
8.30pm - 11.30pm Richard de Bastian plays acoustic guitar and sings at the Hawthorns £5
9.00pm - 11.30pm Hitchcock Blonde at the Rifleman's Arms Free 

Thursday 28th June  

10.00am - 12.30pm Poetry Workshop with Jo Waterworth at the Bay Tree Cafe From £10Noon to 4.00pm Folk Fair with Mudslideslim, Lea Rahn & Daisy, Nick Parker and the Fringe competition winner at Sharpham Tea Garden Free
4.00pm  Screening of 'Superman:Doomsday' [PG13] at Tor Leisure £2.50/£1.00
6.30pm - 8.00pm Djembe Drum Circle at the Assembly Rooms £4
7.00pm - midnight Lightworker's Lounge with Stuart Packer and Tim Hall and Friends at the King Arthur Free
7.00pm - midnight Stackerz Open Deck Night at the Market House Inn Free
8.00pm - 9.30pm Julie Patchouli sings Songs of Love and Cheese at the Café Galatea Free
8.00pm - 11.30pm The Hawthorn Sessions  with Duncan Batey, Seth Peachy and  Bob Gallie at the Hawthorns Pass the Hat
9.00pm  Rife's Jam Session at the Rifleman's Arms Free   

Friday 29th June  

10.00am - 12.30pm Poetry Workshop with Jo Waterworth at the Bay Tree Cafe From £10
10.00am - 4.00pm Opening to the Awen one day creative writing workshop with Dearbhaile Bradley at the Camino Centre £45/          £30(concs)
11.00am to 4.00pm Blacksmiths Workshop with the Wenches Forge at Somerset Rural Life Museum - children welcome! Free
1.00pm   Stroud Baroque - classical concert at St John's Church £3
8.00pm - midnight Chart DJ (BBQ from 3.00pm) at The Market House Inn Free
8.00pm - 2.00am The Temple Ball with Laughing Buddah Live at the King Arthur £5
8.30pm - 11.00pm Folk Club hosted by Hoodwink at The Mitre. Floor singers welcome. Free
8.30pm - 11.30pm The Hawthorn Sessions  with Lee Rahn & Charlie, Franklin & James and Thet Hidden Promise at the Hawthorns Pass the Hat
9.00pm   DJP Miles at The Crown Free
9.00pm - 11.30pm The Van Grahams at the Rifleman's Arms Free   

Saturday 30th June  

9.00am - 5.00pm Glastonbury Art Village at the Market Cross and Northload Street Free
Lunch & Evening John Dalton plays Harp at the Cafe Galatea Free
3.00pm - 5.00pm Dance Workshops  - Zumba (3.00pm) and Street Jazz (4.00pm)  with Nigel May at Tor Leisure £5/£8
6.30pm - 11.30pm Barefoot Belly Dance Night - North African themed night of music, dance and food at the Hawthorns £5
8.00pm - 1.00am Latin Dance Party with MC Nigel May and DJ Fleix El Gato at Tor Leisure £8
6.00pm - 1.30am SummerDayz with Babyhead, OOOD, Kohiba, Chris Austwick and Duncan Batey at Honeysuckle Farm, Cinammon Lane (over 18s only) £10
8.00pm - midnight Daniel Delaney Tribute Night at the Market House Free
9.00pm   Seedy Cases at The Crown Free
9.00pm   Mid Life Crisis at the King William Free
9.00pm - 11.30pm Alex Roberts Southern Stomp at the Rifleman's Arms Free
9.00pm - midnight Will and the People at the King Arthur £5
9.30pm - midnight Josie Nightingale and her Band at La Terre       

Sunday 1st July  

Lunch & Evening John Dalton plays Harp at the Cafe Galatea Free
3.30pm - 4.00pm Belly Belles - belly dancing at the Market Cross Free
5.00pm - 7.00pm Backdoor Blues Jam at the Rifleman's Arms Free
8.00pm - midnight Chart DJ (BBQ from 3.00pm) at The Market House Inn Free
8.30pm - 11.00pm Manuka Root at the King Arthur Free   

ONGOING EVENTS  

21st June to 24th June and 28th June to 1st July  - Busking and Performances at the Market Square and outside St John's Church. Free
Daily - Glastonbury  Creative Arts Trail. Various locations. Free 
Daily - Glastonbury Arts Collective Exhibition. Daily 10.00am - 6.00pm at The Grail Centre. Free
Daily - Card Making at the Hidden Gems Gallery. 
Daily - Street Busking and Performance - throughout the town   

PROGRAMME SUBJECT TO CHANGE