Songfest: North East Opera/Ed Mitchell - Stokesley Methodist Church

'A World of Songs'

We welcome back NORTH EAST OPERA(led by Emily Smith and Dave Pisaro)who entertained us so passionately and profoundly in 2024.

We are thrilled that they will again kick start the festival. This charity gives people a sense of empowerment and a voice to those who might otherwise not be heard in their community. Based at Middlesbrough Town Hall they run weekly workshops, singing all styles of music from 80's power ballads to musical theatre, folk songs, world music and opera. They welcome everyone to their sessions. Their aim is to give people a voice who are otherwise marginalised in society. Be it people who have experienced homelessness or asylum seekers and refugees. We stand proud as a company no matter the music or the venue, inside or outside - if theres a roof well raise it!'

We end the evening with ED MITCHELL (local singer songwriter). Come and enjoy his huge variety of original songs and maybe buy his debut album!

Ed began to write songs many years ago but didn't complete any as he couldn't imagine ever performing them. In 2021, when he retired from teaching, he revisited some of them and made them into proper songs. By chance, he ended up one evening at Saltburn Folk Club, and even though he had not intended to, he was 'told' to perform. Since then he has not looked back and now regularly writes songs and plays at clubs and open mic's in the area. Supportive fellow-performers suggested he should record these songs. This he has finally done and now has a CD as tangible evidence of what he has achieved.