The UK International Boogie Woogie Festival

You might be wondering why a cookware company is writing about an international music festival. Well, let me explain. We live and work in a beautiful market town in North Dorset called Sturminster Newton. In its day it was home to the largest cattle market in Europe. Going further back in time, Thomas Hardy wrote the novel “The Return of the Native” whilst living in Sturminster and poet William Barnes composed much of his work in the fields that nestle alongside the River Stour. So, without being too rude, you could class our town as sleepy! But for three days every July the town comes alive to the infectious sounds of boogie woogie thanks to the UK International Boogie Woogie Festival!

A packed programme

The UK International Boogie Woogie Festival is the only one of its kind in the UK that honours this vibrant and exciting musical genre. Now in it's twelfth year, this year's festival takes place on the 1st - 3rd July. Artists from all over the UK and Europe descend on the town to play a packed programme of concerts. Headliners include Chris Conz (Switzerland), Jo Schumacher (Germany), Julian Phillips (UK) – more about him later and Lasse Jensen (Denmark). Harts of Stur are proud to be sponsoring the Saturday matinee in The Exchange featuring Mike Denham and Hamish Maxwell. But what makes this festival special is the fact the music is not restricted to the main concert venues. Cafes, tea rooms, pubs, the market square, even the town’s mill and church hold boogie woogie sessions throughout the weekend. We are even toying with the idea of getting a piano in our store next year. Some of these sessions are timetabled, others are just spur of the moment ‘happenings’. So keep your eyes and ears peeled! It’s not just about listening to music either. There are workshops, masterclasses, talks and several different dance workshops available. All of this goes towards making this festival so intimate, inclusive and family friendly.

How the boogie woogie festival began

The Boogie Woogie Festival was conceived in the little Dorset village of Fontmell Magna. Back in 2005, pianist Julian Phillips and founder members brought together likeminded pianists from the UK and Europe. Julian discovered the piano at the age of 10 and just four years later came upon boogie woogie. Listening to the likes of Montana Taylor, ‘Cripple’ Clarence Lofton and Leroy Carr he taught himself. His knowledge (and love) of the music is extremely infectious. Whether he’s playing solo or with other musicians, Julian’s enjoyment always shines through. Highly regarded by his fellow musicians Julian has played at festivals and concerts in America and Europe. Julian is also an excellent teacher and has inspired many young people to follow in his footsteps. Many of these pupils can be seen playing at the festival. Fast forward to 2016 and the festival has gone from strength to strength. Growing bigger and better each year it brings joy to thousands of fans (many of which have been coming since that first festival in Fontmell Magna). To make this festival happen, Julian and members of the UK Boogie Woogie Club hold monthly club nights to showcase local musical talent (both young and old!), raise funds and spend countless hours organising the festival – well done to all!

Beyond the boogie

The International Boogie Woogie Festival isn’t the only festival that takes place in Sturminster. In September the annual Cheese Festival brings over 40,000 people to our small town with its mix of food, crafts and entertainment (and of course plenty of cheese!) and is one of the biggest festivals of its type in the south west. Last year we sponsored and organised the Mouse Trap Food Demonstration Theatre and provided a packed and entertaining programme of guest speakers and demonstrators. We are delighted to be doing the same at this year's festival on the 10th & 11th September. We are busy planning the programme at the moment. We'll keep everyone abreast of happenings on our social media channels and through this blog. One thing we can confirm is that the Omelette Challenge will be back! Have you got what it takes to make fastest (edible) omelette?! Click Here for more details of the boogie woogie festival, including a full list of artists and a programme of events. So, if you are visiting Sturminster for the boogie woogie festival have a great time and be sure to pay us a visit. We are open all day on Friday and Saturday. You can find our shop on Station Road, just down from The Exchange on the left, beyond the traffic lights. Click here for a map