Next stop for Elvis is Malton extravaganza (From Gazette & Herald)

Next stop for Elvis is Malton extravaganza

ORGANISERS of a musical extravaganza that will take over a Ryedale town's market place are celebrating their latest close-knit partnership.

Simon Thackray, from Brawby arts venture The Shed, will be bringing an eclectic mix of entertainment to Malton when The Shed's 11th birthday party hits the town on June 7 and 8.

And thanks to UK yarn giant Sirdar, micro-venue The Shed now has all the funding in place to make the ambitious event a reality.

Sirdar sponsored The Shed's wacky North Yorkshire Elvis Bus Tour, which was held last weekend and led by Barnsley poet Ian McMillan, who will compere next month's event in Malton. The company also sponsored HAT, a Shed show which blended music, stories and knitting.

"We have now got the £20,000 we need to put on the event thanks to a little help from our friends," Simon explained. "We have hit our target for funding requirements, and what's nice is that £5,000 of that is from Ryedale businesses. I think it shows a real generosity which is very encouraging."

Bands performing at the event include Billy Jenkins with the Blues Collective and Hank Wangford and the Lost Cowboys. And on Saturday evening Lady Lumley's pupil Mike Spink will be returning with Spinkfest, a showcase of young talent in Ryedale and the platform for five local bands.

There are also plans for some interesting knitting events. The event will run from around 3pm to 10.30pm on Saturday, June 7, and noon to 3pm on the Sunday. Simon added: "People are already booking in hotels for the event, travelling from far away and even from abroad. They keep asking if you need to book, but you don't, it's completely free, you don't need to get tickets, just arrive."

Updated: 12:46 Wednesday, May 21, 2003