Mish Mash family music festival to deliver a different beat to Darlington

The Mish Mash family music festival will be bringing a flavour of gypsy folk, flamenco, afrobeat and ska to Darlington on Sunday, August 25.

As well as live music, there will be food and drinks stall, interactive workshops to keep the crowds entertained.

Organised in partnership between Tracks, Big Little Gigs and Darlington Borough Council, bands performing live on stage include headliners Chainska Brassika, pictured below, London Afrobeat Collective and Clusterfolk.

One of the organisers, Sarah Wilson of Big Little Gigs said the headline act bring 'a tantalising blend of infectious ska rhythms, exquisite brass and melodic vocals, making it impossible for you to deny your feet a chance to dance.'

And describes London Afrobeat Collective as 'a nine-piece afro-funk noise bomb beating the tightest rhythms in town with a swinging brass section. Get ready to surrender to the unstoppable groove.'

The live music from the six bands starts at 1pm with folk-punk from Bubamara and closes with Chainska Brassika taking to the stage at 7pm.

There is a series of workshops for youngsters to take part in throughout the day with the first session aimed at children aged seven and under when they can go on a musical adventure 'Around the World' with musician Claire Tustin.

Places for this session need to be booked in advance at

. Once she has concluded her musical journey, the musician will perform her own music from 4pm.

Ms Wilson is encouraging people to try out an Irish Dance taster session, saying: "Let them take you through a few basic steps, and show you how to put them into a fun routine to impress your friends and family. You never know, you might discover a hidden talent.

"No tap shoes required, though we recommend wearing sensible clothing and shoes to make sure you can get those feet moving."

There is a drop-in African drum workshop taking place at 6.30pm while there will a chance for youngsters to make their own decorative cardboard guitar from 1pm to 5pm.

For details search Facebook for Mish Mash Family Music.