Introducing York Live Music Festival 2006, May 26 to 29.

At 10 o'clock this morning, the York Live Music Festival 2006 opens with Spinning Jenny, a hurdy gurdy demonstration and an introduction to Victorian folk music in a stroll down Kirkgate at York's Castle Museum. In the evening, you can discover the relaxing pleasure of Art Jamming, an activity big in Japan, at The ArtSpace.
Charles Hutchinson talks to festival organiser Kirsty Halliday.

What are the guiding principles of this year's festivals, Kirsty?

"We wanted to put the emphasis on local talent; participation, especially for young people; and unusual locations.

"In the past, the core funding from the city council has been spent on Parliament Street activities, and part of our aim this year was to diversify but, at the same time, we were aware that the festival overall had spread out too widely in past years.

"What we wanted to do was to focus on those who build up a year-round contribution of putting on music in York, and for the first time this year it feels that people really have taken possession of the festival. Hopefully this is the start of something that can continue year on year and have its own identity."

Picking out daily highlights, let's start with Art Jamming tonight at 7pm at The ArtSpace in Tower Street.

"They love this in Tokyo, and it's something that runs every Friday at The ArtSpace. You can take a bottle of your favourite tipple and paint in a quick and loose fashion while listening to CDs and responding to the music in your painting.

"We thought, why not have a live band playing?', so Monkey Business will be doing their business tonight."

This event is free, but places are limited, so booking is advised on 01904 671709.

Coppergate and brass come together tomorrow from 11.30am to 5pm.

"It's metal, but not the heavy kind, at the Coppergate Centre. Brass, wind and steel band music combine for a day of free music, with the Halifax Concert Band; the New York Dance Band, recreating the Glenn Miller sound at one o'clock; and two young York steel bands, Pandemonium and Steel Expression, playing favourites with a Caribbean twist from 2.30pm.

"Both these York groups will be hoping to drum up more members from their performances."

It may sound like a Van Morrison song title, but what will Voices In The Gardens involve?

"Again it's a free event, this time in the beautiful surroundings of Museum Gardens, from noon to 5pm tomorrow. You can bring a picnic and enjoy some of our area's best choirs: jazz, opera and Motown from Hands & Voices, York's singing and signing choir; Soon Amore, a York chamber choir; Chechelele, the York world music choir; SingYouth Choir, from Selby; finishing with Cadenza at 4.15pm."

Jazz is on the rise in York but some people still treat it with trepidation. Is this the thinking behind the York Jazz Day at Kennedy's Caf Bar (Sunday, 12.30pm to 6.30pm, free)?

"The idea is that professional jazz musician and teacher Rob Lavers and his quartet will be doing performances through the day and holding discussions on their experiences in the profession. It's a fun day, where aspiring musicians can sit in with the band and pick up tips from saxophonist Rob, pianist Andy Chollerton, drummer John Perry and Loose Tubes bass player Steve Berry.

"The aim is to inspire young musicians to get involved in jazz."

Run through some further highlights in brief, Kirsty.

"Soundweavers, a group of learning-disabled musicians and the York Breakdance crew invites you to try out making electronic music and breakdancing at the Melbourne Centre in Escrick Street, tomorrow afternoon; York College's second-year music technology students present a musical extravaganza from noon in Parliament Street tomorrow; the Access To Music Musical Bus will take to the road for free music-making workshops, DJ workshops and performances, tomorrow afternoon; and the Access To Music students from the Jam Factory perform outdoors from in Coppergate Centre on Monday afternoon.

"Tutor Tim Brooks presents school-age bands and acoustic musicians in Bandstrand at the Junction in Leeman Road on Sunday evening; the Guerilla Musicians event roams the York streets on Sunday afternoon with Bo$$Cain, Catch 23 and The Blueprints; and Imp-Hut Studios taken to the River Ouse at Yorkboat on Monday for a 7.15pm showcase for My Salvation, Canopus and The Universals (tickets £10 on 01904 642828)."

Are there any late changes, Kirsty?

"Yes, we've had to cancel the carnival streetband workshops at Scarcroft Primary School tomorrow and the streetband performance in Parliament Street on Monday. Sadly we didn't get the numbers to make it viable this time, but we're now looking to do it at some point in the summer."

For more details see www.yorkfestivals.com