Town alive with music and street performance

Running until 7 August, the Town centre will come alive daily – excluding Sundays – with all forms of street performance including music, art, theatre, dance, food and craft.

The charity was formed in 2019 and its inaugural event set for last year fell victim to the pandemic.

‘There is so much talent on the island both professional and amateur and we wanted to give people of all ages and genres the chance to take advantage of the performance space,’ said Dominique Ogier, the festival’s creative officer.

When the former Town Carnival ended after the Town Centre Partnership disbanded, Miss Ogier said its principal organiser Jack Honeybill had asked GSF founder Claire Dawson if she could arrange something in its place.

‘We’ve taken some things from the Town Carnival and put our own take on them,’ said Miss Ogier.

What were previously termed areas have now expanded in to eight zones.

‘It’s been a difficult couple of years for everyone and particularly performers and artists so this should give them encouragement.’

Louise Starr, 40, who was there with her children, Dexter, 9, and Elio, 5, said the festival was good for the Town.

‘I’d heard bits about it on Facebook but I didn’t realise it started today and we just stumbled across it,’ she said.

‘We liked the band [Western Valley Swing] by the Town Church and it’s just nice to see people enjoying themselves.’

Nathan Long, who works for Rothschild & Co, and wife Charlie, were there to watch daughter, Ruby 12, taking part in a Poi performance with Les Beaucamps High School.

‘Ruby started doing Poi in September but I think this is probably her first public performance,’ said Mr Long.

Music was scattered around the town, with solo acoustic guitarists in the Pollet alongside a French accordion, and at one point a young string quartet reprising Guns N’ Roses tunes on the Liberation Monument.