Your music, Our passion, One mission
Folkstock Arts Foundation – Love Life LIVE !
We are a new community interest company, which you may have read about it in The Mercury, Welwyn Hatfield Times, Watford Observer, Herts and Essex Observer, The Advertiser or The Comet recently.

The Foundation aims to increase the amount of people in the local communities who can enjoy good live music and to build new friendships. It is hoped that this will enhance the feel good factor of community involvement while uncovering music and musicians who they won't have heard on the radio (yet!).
Aldenham Country Park has been chosen as the venue for our prestigious new festival, which you may have heard mentioned on BBC Radio Two on the Folk show recently, on Cerys Matthews' BBC 6 Radio show, seen the full page ad in Music Week, read the guest blog on Tom Robinson's Fresh on the Net site, or encountered in most of the Herts based newspapers, Hertfordshire Life, My Radlett News or any number of newspapers and specialist acoustic magazines across the region such as Unicorn Magazine and Folk London. The festival has had mentions on BBC Three Counties Radio, and had lots of exposure on local radio stations such as Radio Dacorum, Radio Verulam and Cambridge 105fm and has just announced that respected BBC Radio Presenter Sue Marchant ( who many of you will remember from when she used to do the evening show across our the Eastern Counties) acting as MC on the Main stage.
Folkstock on Sat 21st September, is being billed as a family friendly fete and festival and the ethos of the business behind it reflects good practice and academic evaluation ( by Allan Jepson from UH and Linda Wilks who was until recently also at UH) of the ‘social gain’ the festival is going to provide for the community and everyone associated with it. In addition to these worthy aims, there is a charitable aspect, with the event supporting Cancer Research UK, a charity close to home for the organiser, who is a breast cancer survivor.
Helen Meissner MD of Folkstock Arts Foundation has set up her community interest company specifically to assist acoustic musicians with marketing and management support, at no cost, with no contract. There are 16 bands on the Folkstock Arts Foundation programme and all of them, in addition to 60 others, many from our area, are performing across the four stages on Saturday 21st September at Aldenham Country Park, Elstree.
"The music is going to be excellent ( if you like harmonies, melodies and ‘stripped back acoustic’ sound )– you can hear a selection of some of the artists here :
https://soundcloud.com/folkstock/sets/folkstock-part-two
But in addition to the music, there will be a number of other activities for everyone to get involved with, such as ukulele, slide guitar and song writing workshops, arts and crafts to take part in, locally brewed beer and artisan street cooking, a vintage tea tent with delicious cakes, morris dancing from local side Wicket Brood, sessions in the bar to join in with, arts and vintage stalls to browse, free massages and beauty treatments from new salon Espiritu, jewellery stalls, tasty festival feast food, local award winning beer from Red Squirrel, an organised amplified busking spot ( so bring your guitar), a village green area which hopes to have the local Under 10 yr old ceilidh group performing, a chocolate fountain, glitter tattooists, a charcoal sketcher who will capture you on paper if you so desire. I could go on, each day new attractions are being added to the line up." says Helen
This new event promises to unite families and musicians in a joyous fusion of music and dance, arts and crafts, gourmet cooking and real ales.
We have a very special offer at the moment, for tickets bought in advance only
which amounts to two children for free with two discounted adult rates - £44 for two adults, two children
IF BOOKING IN ADVANCE BY 17TH SEPTEMBER ONLY.

Ticket on the door price will be £25 for an adult and £6 for a child.
It is a limited offer, first come first served

WHY ?
Folkstock Acoustic Festival was borne out of a desire to showcase as many strands of acoustic, folk and roots music in one joyous event on the autumn equinox, which is September 21st 2013. We aim to promote artists to the public and the music industry and offer a credible showcase for recently signed or emerging folk, roots and acoustic acts as well as a vehicle for entertaining the community via live music and associated activities to aid creativity and self expression. You are assured of catchy and beguiling songs, harmonies to melt into and stunning lyrics. All performed to virtuoso level with inspiring dedication.

WHAT'S THE VIBE ?
Folkstock has a mission to be an 'old fashioned' and relaxed family day out, with the additional bonus of being a joyous fusion of many different strands of acoustic, folk and roots music, with over 70 artists, half of which are from the local area. Ranging from BBC award winning artists and those who have sessioned on Bob Harris's BBC Radio 2 shows, through to local artists who are being offered their first festival slots and everything in between. You may not have heard of most of them, although you will be left wondering why as they are so good ! This festival will be a stepping stone for the many unsigned independent musicians and I am sure that most will go on to gain the recognition and boost they need to break into the national consciousness. You are assured of catchy and beguiling songs, harmonies to melt into and stunning lyrics. All performed to virtuoso level with inspiring dedication.

WHAT'S LINED UP ?
Folkstock Acoustic Festival will incorporate two main stages and two tented stages of acoustic, folk and roots music. It will have BBC award winning performers alongside emerging local acts as well as old fashioned stalls, ceilidhs, morris dancing, arts and crafts in a friendly supportive environment.
There are also areas dedicated to specialist interests such as local breweries and real ale, foodie treats and pop up street vendors who cook to order, champions of organic and sustainable living as well as activities for children and dancing, songwriting and ukulele workshops and sessions in the bar for all.

YOU'D LIKE MORE DETAIL ?
As you can see, there will be an array of gorgeous music, delicious food, crafty stalls, community interest groups, dancing, singing and drinking ! Childrens' activities and entertainment means your charges needs will be able to be accommodated ( under your watchful eye) buying you goodwill to indulge your musical tastes.
The two main stages will incorporate a range of acoustic, folk and roots music, with the Main Stage being for more traditional folk performers and the other being for Alternative Folk. Alt Folk means they are slightly more cross genre and often using folk related instruments, but incorporating rock, pop, electronic and contemporary influences which are very on trend at the moment and it is immediately accessible music with strong hooks, choruses and lyrics, delivered with professionalism and passion.

The 'Turn up the Sun Stage', run by talented and award winning musician Marina Florance, will be providing a stimulating and jaw dropping selection of guitar, ukulele, fiddle and double bass wielding artists who are all gathering momentum and respect across the country. Catch them here while you can !
The ‘Folkstock Presents’ stage is going to be offering a range of quality solo acoustic musicians, who are engaging and committed performers, who all write and perform their own material, to an exceptionally high level. For some of them this is their first festival but they are all experienced performers and we can't wait to see the day unfold.
There will be a supportive, inclusive atmosphere and an area for seated appreciation of the music. This tented stage will benefit from tables and chairs for people who wish to get away from the madding crowd and enjoy a cup of tea and a piece of cake ( which will be available nearby ) before heading back out into the festival's fray.
Do come and join us, tickets are available from the website : http://www.folkstockfestival.com/

Folkstock Arts Foundation aims to give a boost to new and aspiring acoustic folk and roots musicians and help them get a foothold in the live music arena.
Bringing a musician into the heart of their community is what we are about, developing links so that everyone gets a wonderful buzz from their local live music scene.
The Foundation will help the artists streamline their personal marketing and presentation skills, with workshops and one to one coaching and mentoring over a six month period. It will develop their stagecraft, and open opportunities for them to get on local, internet and community radio and in their local press.
It will in essence, help them 'get their act together' and follow their dreams.
It is not a management company and there are no contracts. There are however statements of intent and plans which will be tailored and then evaluated for all artists on one of the four programmes of guided support.

We aim for every household in Hertfordshire to know more about what is available for them to enjoy and be proud of, in their county.

Folkstock Arts Foundation is a community interest company and the Managing Director is Helen Meissner from Hertfordshire.

All details can be found on http://www.folkstockfestival.com/

View my website http://www.folkstockfestival.com/