“Sprung and Simmer” 2010 season at The Shed, Hovingham Village Hall (From York Press)

“Sprung and Simmer” 2010 season at The Shed, Hovingham Village Hall

1:09pm Friday 29th January 2010

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THE Shed’s “Sprung and Simmer” 2010 season begins on Tuesday with the familiar sight of sold-out notices for the Kathryn Tickell Band’s night of Northumbrian pipe music at Hovingham Village Hall.

The recession may be receding more slowly than the winter’s snows, but Shed impresario Simon Thackray can report thriving box-office business at the outset of his 18th year of concerts, films and unusual happenings.

“We’ve doubled the number of tickets that the Tourist Information Centres have been allocated and they say they’ve never had so many calls for Shed shows,” says Simon.

Martin Simpson’s concert on March 20 is the second sell-out, the rush of sales buoyed by the acoustic and slide guitarist’s nomination in no fewer than six categories of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. “He’s one of those musicians who just gets better and better,” says Simon. “He was always an awesome guitarist but now he’s a consummate performer and the ultimate professional.”

Shed legends Helen Watson and Snake Davis, blues singer and saxophonist respectively, are on their way to selling out their latest Shed reunion next Saturday.

Simon plays Cupid on February 14 when he switches to the Palace Cinema, Malton, for a Valentine’s Day Special screening of Black Cat, White Cat (15), Emir Kusturica’s riotous mix of farce, romance and crime.

Back in Hovingham, on March 13, trombonist Annie Whitbread leads her band on March 13 and another Shed regular, jazz/folk songstress Gwyneth Herbert, returns on March 27, before Scottish mavericks Shooglenifty make their Hovingham debut in The Shed Celebration on May 15.

What is the celebration, Simon? “My 50th birthday is fast approaching and so this Sprung And Simmer season has A Sound Of Music feel to it: a few of my favourite things. Well, more than a few of my favourite things, really,” he says.

“May 15 happens to be my birthday, and if someone was looking for a band for a perfect 50th birthday party, they just might book Shooglenifty.”

The celebrations continue with The Shed’s 18th Birthday Party on June 5, when the Snake Davis Band leads the party for the tenth year on the trot.

“Eighteen years of The Shed? It’s a long time. We’re eligible to vote – and people vote with their feet, increasingly and with tremendous loyalty,” says a grateful Simon.

Those feet must find their way to Dale End Farm, Rosedale, for The Shed’s free art event of the season: trombonist Alan Tomlinson and The River Seven, one man and his improvised riparian music at 12 noon on March 21. More of that later.

For tickets to the 8pm shows, phone 01653 668494 or visit theshed.co.uk

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