A SPECTACULAR music and arts festival is returning to the North-East for an incredible 67th year, and will feature a remarkable array of local, national, and even international talent.

Acts from all over the UK and beyond will take the stage at Hexham Abbey Festival 2019, between Thursday, September 19, and Sunday, September 22, alongside workshops and religious services.

The Festival will showcase performances from a wealth of talent from around the world and in a staggering variety of genres and styles, including late-night jazz ensembles, traditional choirs, world music, period music, and folk music.

The Festival kicks off with the West Northumberland Primary Schools Music Project. Animateur Sarah Atter will lead invited children from local schools in an exploration of music-making, before they join with other choirs and performers for a free concert performance in Hexham Abbey.

Among the many artists performing during the festival are internationally renowned UK-based fusion band, The Turbans, making their debut appearance at the Hexham Abbey Festival at 8pm on Thursday, September 19.

This extraordinary group includes members from Turkey, Bulgaria, Israel, Iran, Greece, and England, who together fuse musical styles from all over the globe into a powerful and arresting performance.

The Festival will also feature performance from traditional period instrument specialists FIGO Ensemble; prize-winning Syrian pianist Riyad Nicolas; and local regulars, Hexham Abbey Festival Chorus, as well as many others.

Events will follow throughout the festival at Hexham Abbey, Queen’s Hall Arts Centre in Hexham, and Forum Cinema in Hexham. For details of the festival’s full star-studded line-up, visit www.hexhamabbeyfestival.org.uk.

Denis McCaldin, festival co-director, said: “We want our festival to be truly attractive and festive, and this year's programme is both. With an unusually lively mixture of exciting events, we look forward to welcoming friends - old and new.”

Three special religious services will also be held during the Festival, with guest preacher, The Rt. Revd. Mark Bryant, Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Newcastle, performing the Eucharist.

Tickets can be purchased from Queen’s Hall box office, in Hexham, by phone on 01434 652477, or online at www.queenshall.co.uk. Prices start at £15.

Tickets for a special screening of the 1948 cinema masterpiece, The Red Shoes, can be bought from the Forum Cinema, in Hexham, by calling 01434 601144, or online at www.forumhexham.com.