What's On
Top folk musician tunes in to world record dance attempt

FOLK star Eliza Carthy was in Hartlepool on Monday 28th April to record a new piece of music for a world record attempt at this year's Hartlepool Maritime Festival.

The English singer and fiddle player has been commissioned by Hartlepool Council to write a 'Hartlepool Hornpipe' for the festival, which is from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 July.

The recording will be played at the festival's climax on Sunday afternoon at 2.30pm when visitors will be able to take part in setting the very first world record for the largest number of people dancing the hornpipe at the same time.

She recorded the track at The Studio, Hartlepool's prime music venue in Tower Street with members of her new band '3/2five'.

The daughter of legendary folk musicians Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson, Yorkshire-born Eliza has become one of the most impressive and engaging performers of her generation.

Over the past 15 years she has earned a host of accolades and has performed or recorded with an array of artists including Paul Weller, Jools Holland, Bryan Ferry, Richard Thompson and the McGarrigle Sisters. Her latest album, 'Dreams of Breathing Underwater', will be released in June.

Eliza said: "Coming from Whitby, it's nice to be involved in a North-East festival which is centred around the sea. We have created a piece of music which really will get festival visitors dancing to put Hartlepool into the record books."

The Maritime Festival takes place around Hartlepool Marina and Hartlepool's Maritime Experience. Among the host of attractions being organised are:

• Dramatic watersports displays
• A salsa party night with the band Pink Champagne
• The premiere performance of the Hartlepool Cobwebs Orchestra
• Visits from the ships James Cook, Faramir and the Black Diamond of Durham
• A stunning, comic performance of Hang Aerial Dance's wedding piece 'Get Knotted.'
• Live bands
• Events for military veterans and a display area showcasing the Armed Forces
• Dazzling street theatre including the hilarious Bread & Butter Theatre, fishy business from the Fairly Fresh Fish Co. and slapstick acrobatics from water-skiing sisters Tutti Fruitti
• A Taste of Hartlepool - pop into a special marquee to savour the very best cuisine from Hartlepool's top restaurants
• Vibrant, multi-ethnic music on the World Music Stage
• A host of entertainment from school and community groups around the town including dance shows and sea shanties
• Stalls selling unusual gifts and tasty treats

Stephen Cashman, Hartlepool Council's Strategic Arts Manager, said: "Hartlepool Maritime Festival is a smashing weekend for all the family and we're pulling out all the stops to line up some really unusual entertainment."