Perth is preparing to serve up its annual slice of Americana in the form of the Southern Fried Festival.
On the menu at the third annual festival of American Roots Music in Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre from 30 July until 1 August is a mouth-watering mix of country, blues, bluegrass, soul and gospel garnished with a generous helping of workshops, food, talks and late night clubs.
As appetiser there is a free Festival Launch Party with Red Pine Timber Co. in The Twa Tams on Thursday 29 July.
Main dishes to savour include 2001 Perrier Jazz Vocalist of the Year Niki King who joins the line up for Roots of Elvis on Saturday 31 July. She teams up with Justin Currie, Tim Eriksen, Dick Gaughan, Rachel Harrington, Yolanda Quartey, and two more recent additions to the bill Nels Andrews and AJ Roach, to celebrate the trailblazing influence of the King of Rock ‘n' Roll on Americana.
Carolina Chocolate Drops and The Holmes Brothers perform on Friday 30 July in Perth Concert Hall followed by a Late and Southern Fried gig in Perth Theatre with Craig Duncan and Friends, Elizabeth Cook and Phantom Limb. After Saturday's Roots of Elvis concert in Perth Concert Hall, Tim Eriksen, Roddy Hart and The New Madrids will rock Perth Theatre in another Late and Southern Fried show. And, US blues legend Seasick Steve supported by Elizabeth Cook brings the festival to a close on Sunday 1 August in Perth Concert Hall.
On the side there is a tasty choice of daytime events including Songs across the Sea with Sara Grey on Saturday 31 July in Perth Concert Hall. This interactive event traces the passage of songs from Scotland to the US and back in the form of folk, country and bluegrass. Other treats in store include Grass Mountain Hobos and Joe Cassady and the West End Sound in the Twa Tams and Songwriters Concert in the Salutation Hotel with Rachel Harrington, Rod Clements, Nels Andrews, AJ Roach and Ian Thomas Parks.
Have-a-go harmonisers can stretch their vocal chords with the Big Sing with Tim Eriksen. Expert Shape Note practitioner Tim Eriksen will teach the basics of Sacred Harp Shape Note - a beautiful four part harmony style as heard in the film Cold Mountain. And with fiddle, guitar, banjo, songwriting and singing workshops and open mic sessions also on the daytime menu, there is something on the Southern Fried bill to satisfy every taste.
On the kid's menu, Eleanor and Julia's Big Yee Haa! invites youngsters and the young at heart to saddle up for a star spangled musical road trip.
And, all weekend succulent Southern Fried specialities will be cooked up in Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre to keep festival-goers fuelled up for all the concerts and events.
For tickets and event info visit http://www.southernfriedfestival.co.uk/, call Horsecross Arts Box Office on 01738 621 031.