Choirs take to streets for rousing festival

A total of 35 choirs and 800 people will be in the streets of the city centre, busking in a range of styles such as protest songs, pop, folk, world music, rap and soul.

Originally created "to promote the development – through song – of a society free from all forms of oppression, exploitation, exclusion and violence," the festival still has peace and protest at its core and is returning to Sheffield where it began in 1984.

Val Regan, musical director of the festival, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to hear community choirs from all over the country right here on your doorstep for free. There'll be a song on every corner."

The choirs will gather for a public "massed sing" in Barkers Pool at noon on Saturday, July 10, followed by the 35 choirs busking separately throughout the city centre between 12.30pm and 3pm.

The weekend-long programme will also include a Saturday afternoon and evening concert at Sheffield City Hall.

Coun Roger Davison, Sheffield Council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: "How wonderful that the National Street Choir Festival is returning back to Sheffield where it first began in 1984.

"I hope that people come into the city centre on Saturday and really enjoy the free entertainment."

The festival has been organised by Out Aloud, Sheffield's gay choir, helped by many volunteers including members of other Sheffield community choirs such as Body of Sound, Sheffield Socialist Choir and Purple Cats.

Free live concerts will be taking place in areas including Tudor Square, Barkers Pool, Orchard Square,the Peace Gardens, Leopold Square, The Moor, Chapel Walk and Fargate.

Tickets for the afternoon and evening concerts at Sheffield City Hall cost 5 and will be available on the day.