Lichfield Festival

It's time for the Lichfield Festival yet again - but it tends to remain a closely guarded secret.

Their website was so slow it wouldn't give information about the events this weekend and when you want to buy tickets, that's another challenge.

It's SO frustrating. We have some marvellous people appearing and I'm sure that, with a more active (and dare I say it - modern) approach to publicity, the city and the organisers would get the accolades they deserve.

My favourite events are the lunchtime concerts - young artists who are showcased for an hour, for a very reasonable fee. In the past it has been in the Lady Chapel of the Cathedral but this year, they are in Wade Street Church (not far from the Lichfield Garrick Theatre).

Today it was the turn of a marvellous young violinist, Daniel Pioro. He's very much into promoting new music and played two sets of three Preludes by the composer, David Matthews.  David is composer in residence for the festival this year and he was present. Daniel invited him to introduce the pieces and say a few words about why and how they were composed. Delightful.

Daniel, apart from his excellent musicianship, has an easy rapport with his audience and such charisma. He chose a hugely complex piece by Schnittke "A Paganini" , along with two baroque pieces and the ones I mentioned above.

I won't give you the Festival website - it doesn't work - but you can get tickets from the Lichfield Garrick Theatre Box Office.

And the elephant ?  Yes.  Our streets in Lichfield are adorned with these lovely painted elephants and they are going to be auctioned on July 11th. This one is in the foyer of the Garrick theatre.....