October not only brings Whitby's award-winning Musicport event, but also the Blues, Rhythm and Rock Festival 3

NOW in its 16th year, and having received the best ever feedback from audience and artists alike last year, Whitby's award-winning Musicport has signed up international acts for its October 16 to 18 event, alongside some of the best local and regional acts.

It has all the feel of an outdoor summer festival, but is indoors under one roof – although there’s even an indoor camping option to complete the festival experience.

Acts booked so far include: Fanfara Tirana meets Trans-Global Underground (Albania/UK), Dub Colossus (Ethiopia/UK), Soweto Gospel Choir (South Africa), Terry Hall (The Specials-DJ set), Tromboronga and Salsa Orchestra (Spain), Varldens Band (Sweden), Afrikan Boy (Nigeria/UK), Frigg (Finland), Demon Barbers XL and Najma Ahktar (India/UK), Duke Special (N. Ireland), Kora Band (USA/UK), Hut People and Jess Morgan and Ben Rogers (Canada), Keith James (songs of Nick Drake), O'Hooley and Tidow and Maalstroom (Netherlands). Plus the acts of Will McNicholl and Luke Selby, Richard De Soussa, The Cajun Roosters, Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds; Scotland's Blue Rose Code and songwriter in residence Paul Armfield.

Musicport will also be hosting The Yorkshire Gig Guide Grassroots Awards on October 16, featuring several Yorkshire acts on the North Sea Stage. Workshops comedy and film programmes are still to be confirmed.

  • Tickets for the full Whitby Pavilion Complex weekend (Whitby, YO21 3EN) are £99 (£95 concession) with under 18s half price and accompanied under 11s free.

eventbrite.co.uk/e/musicport-festival; tel 01947-603475 or musicportfestival.com

  • Indoor camping @ Brunswick Centre is also available at £30 for three nights

As well as the annual festival, Musicport also run a regular concert programme at The Compass Club in Whitby.

Musicport are also partners in the North Yorkshire Youth Music Action Zone and run a regular programme of education workshops and activities.

Twitter: MusicportFest

Facebook: Musicport/105231492841288

SOLID Entertainments has announced that Whitby Blues, Rhythm and Rock Festival 3 will be taking place at The Pavilion on Saturday, October 3.

Connie Lush and Blues Shouter are headlining with six other top class acts. Lush has won Best Female Vocalist UK five times and earned a place in the gallery of greats, alongside Alexis Corner and Eric Clapton. Outside of the UK, she has been twice voted European Blues Vocalist of the year by the French Blues Trophies Awards.

In recent years, Lush has performed in morethan 30 countries and has played at some of Europe’s largest and most prestigious festivals, including Glastonbury in 2011 and to audiences in Moscow, New York and LA. Recording in The Cotton Row Studios in Memphis, Lush has also toured with BB King throughout the UK, concluding at The Royal Albert Hall in London.

The songwriter, who also contributes to TV and DJs at Jazz FM and other radio stations as a DJ, has drawn the compliment from BB King: “That woman makes my heart sing.”

Lush and the Band have been busy recording songs for their forthcoming album and if you haven’t seen or heard her yet, you can do so at https://youtu.be/cqCvVnGObvM

The rest of the line-up is:

Larry Miller, a guitarist, singer, songwriter, with a love for his music and a presence which is simply infectious.

Danny Bryant, recently called a National Blues Treasure, a title that he has worked tirelessly and passionately to earn.

Albany Down, a contemporary band that runs on pure adrenalin, unrelenting energy and raw emotion.

Matt Woosey, a refreshing musical song writing and playing style conveyed with an accomplished vocal delivery.

Red Butler, voted Best Newcomer in the UK results of the Writers' Poll last year for Blues Matters Magazine

The Luke Doherty Band, pure Blues and Southern Rock, like ZZ Top meets Country, Rory Gallagher and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

  • Advance tickets are £25 and to book call 01472-349-222 or to whitbybluesfestival.co.uk/tickets.html

Liftshare is a cheap and convenient way to get to this festival by splitting petrol costs with others and you can find out more at liftshare.com/uk/lifts/whitbybluesfestival