A tide of folk music will wash through Cromer and its pier at the weekend.The 12th annual Folk on the Pier event combines a mixture of performances in the Pavilion theatre with a busy fringe programme happening at local pubs, clubs and hotels.

A tide of folk music will wash through Cromer and its pier at the weekend.

The 12th annual Folk on the Pier event combines a mixture of performances in the Pavilion theatre with a busy fringe programme happening at local pubs, clubs and hotels.

Headlining three days of acoustic-roots world music, folk-rock and blues, is Feast of Fiddles, half a dozen of the UK's finest players with a folk-rock backing.

A number of favourites return from the English Folk-Rock world including Ashley Hutchings and Ken Nicol, Little Johnny England, Steeleye Span's Peter Knight with his trio Gigspanner and Kevin Dempsey and Joe Broughton.

Festival favourites ColvinQuarmby also return by popular demand after their stunning performance last year.

Another favourite act, World Music Award Winners Terrafolk return from Slovenia while regular visitor percussionist David 'Hopi' Hopkins brings a new project from Brittany in Rune.

Guitarist Chris Newman and harpist Maire Chathasaigh supply the high octane jigs and reels while Saturday headlines with the spectacular BBC Folk on Two Live Act award winners the Demon Barber Roadshow, led by Damien Barber from North Walsham, in a brand new production.

For those preferring smaller scale acts there are raconteurs such as Allan Taylor, John Conolly and legendary 'seventh Python' Neil Innes.

This year will also see the hugely oversubscribed Guitar Massif fringe event transferring to the Pavilion, featuring Brooks Williams (USA), P J Wright, Kevin Dempsey, Pete Smith, Mike Burke and Fran McGillivray.

Festival director Scott Butler said the event had enjoyed its fastest ever ticket sales, with many sold before the programme had been announced, showing that - as with the venue's summer show - the 'pier theatre is the star as well.'

Support acts include Cromer band the Electric Blues Machine, up and coming young band The QP, Djongology from the Midlands with their top class performances of the music of the Hot Club Quintet of France and Something Nasty in the Woodshed, who kick off 2010 with a combination of Celtic rock and song.

Fringe events include Balkan, French, Breton and English Dance workshops and a new busking festival featuring many musicians from the Cambridge area at various locations around the town including the pier and prom, top of the Gangway, Wellington Courtyard, Hotel De Paris, Buddie's forecourt and the boating lake.

Visitors can also expect to see the odd living statue, escapologist and even an African drumming troupe.

A new double CD set is being launched at the event. It has been created by Mr Butler to help raise funds towards the ever-increasing festival costs. Thirty artists have contributed free tracks to the �10 album entitled The Best Gig on the North Sea, which features over two and half hours of acoustic and electric material.

For more information call the box office on 01263 512495, or visit the festival website

www.folkonthepier.co.uk for breaking news

MAIN PROGRAMME

Friday May 7: Something Nasty in the Woodshed, Allan Taylor, Chris Newman and Maire Chathasaigh, Djongology, Ashley Hutchings and Ken Nicol, Terrafolk

Saturday May 8: The QP, Rune, Little Johnny England, Electric Blues Machine, Kevin Dempsey and Joe Broughton, Demon Barber Roadshow

Sunday May 9: John Conolly, Peter Knight's Gigspanner, ColvinQuarmby, Guitar Massif, Neil Innes, Feast of Fiddles

FRINGE HIGHLIGHTS

Friday May 7

6pm warm up session with Simon Care and Friends, The Cottage

9pm Brooks Williams,The Cottage

10pm Late Night Extra Ceilidh with Simon Care and Friends , Red Lion Hotel function room

Saturday May 8

Noon, John Connoly, The Boat House

Noon, Ashley Hutchings and Ken Nicol, The Cottage

Noon, Freddie Hall, The Dolphin

1pm, Pete Smith, The Dolphin

1.30pm, Kevin Dempsey and Joe Broughton, The Cottage

1.30pm, The Rum Brothers, Giovanni's

5pm, French & Breton Dance With Rune Hotel De Paris

5pm, Geoff Chapman's Roosters, The Wellington

6.30pm, Big Session with Tom Leary and Friends, The Cottage

8pm, Pete Smith, Old Rock Shop Bistro

8pm, Fran McGillivray and Mike Burke, The Cottage

9.30pm, John Conolly, The Cottage

Sunday May 9

Noon, Geoff Chapman's Roosters, The Dolphin

Noon, Talk on Bluegrass Music With Hayley Moyses Bluegrass Forum, Hotel de Paris

Noon, Chris Newman, The Cottage

Noon, The Jar Family, Red Lion Hotel

1pm, Kevin Dempsey and Joe Broughton, Hotel De Paris

1pm, Tom Leary and Friends, The Cottage

1.30pm, Chris Newman, The Dolphin

1.30pm, Balkan Dance Workshop, Giovanni's

3pm, Hayley Moyses Bluegrass Forum, The Wellington