PSYCHIC leeks, exotic birds and barber quartets, what possibly could these things have in common?

They’ll all be taking to the stage this summer as part of a new music and theatre programme heading to Kirkharle.

As part of the six month event, Miscellany, the 14th century St Wilfrid’s Church will open its doors between for musicians deriving from all across the country, while Kirkharle courtyard will play host to a range of varied performers including puppets. clowns and ballerinas.

Kicking the season off musically in May will be local choral group Ponteland U3A Choir, performing alongside the Brinkburn Quartet.

Three unique acts will be celebrating traditional Northumbrian music – including woman’s choir Werca’s Folk in June, whose regional songs are specially picked to express the joys and hardships of women everywhere. Northumbrian piper Andy May, guitarist Ian Stephenson and fiddler Sophie Ball will also be bringing high-energy, regional folk music to the stage as part of the Andy May Trio, whilst choir director Sandra Kerr will perform solo a selection of traditional and newly-penned songs in June.

Music which will transport you to another era will include the sounds of the Connaught Opera in June - a small touring group of professional performers whose music celebrates the reign of Queen Victoria, complete with colourful costumes.

Female a capella group, The Shoe Shop Quartet, will be bringing a touch of vintage glamour and musical nostalgia to the programme, performing some of the most-loved songs from the 40’s and 50’s to jiving crowds in July.

Inspired by music from around the world, guitarists Rod Sinclair and Tom Fletcher won’t just be putting on your standard guitar gig in July. Instead they’ll be showcasing a variety of sounds on a range of guitars including the six string acoustic, and the banjo.

Classical ensemble, the North-East based Da Vinci String Quartet, made up of professional musicians from the Royal Northern Sinfonia will be bringing the music of Mozart to the stage in July.

Performing in August will be acclaimed quintet group Brass Tracks Quintet, an ensemble which features musicians from various musical backgrounds including television, theatre, orchestral,

Sirocco Winds will be treating audiences to a selection of well-known wind quintets, alongside some of their original arrangements to finish of the music segment of the programme in September.

Opening in July, audiences are invited to join in on a unique dance class held by Bread and Butter Theatre Company, practising everything from the Nutcracker to the Macarena, with prima ballerinas on hand to perfect the moves of those watching.

In August, gardener Hugh ‘Bushy’ Babcock will introduce audience members to Leia, his psychic, walking, talking leek, in a original theatrical performance called Mind Your Peas and Cues, from Bell and Bullock Theatre Company.

Street performance group Artizani will also bring tightrope walking clown Syrovy to the stage, while theatre group Swank deliver a comically bawdy rendition of some of Shakespeare’s scenes and sonnets.

Closing the event will be puppet choir Frolicked with their musical act The Birds, featuring a repertoire of bird song from the exotic birds who have found a perfect perch at Kirkharle.

For full dates and tickets visit the event’s Facebook page: Miscellany – Days of Music and Absurdity.