Open mic night to raise money for subsidised tickets scheme at The Witham

PEOPLE are going to be asked to pay what they think musicians are worth at The Witham, in Barnard Castle – for one night only.
Talented musicians, old and young, will take to the stage at the arts venue on Friday, November 4, for an open mic night, starting at 7pm.
It’s free to enter but as an added twist, members of the audience are asked to pay what they want.
All the money raised will go to The Witham’s Music for Music Scheme, which has raised more than £800 so far to subsidise tickets for young people to see top acts. Maddy Sutton, from The Witham, said: “In autumn 2015, we organised two busking days in our cafe where local musicians performed a mix of classical, singer-songwriter and acoustic music. Thank you to all who played, sang and supported these wonderful sessions to raise funds to help young people experience classical music and also double the funds saved for a new piano.
“Now we are going one step further in organising a showcase evening – a chance for those same young musicians to express themselves and experience the thrill of performing.”
Events confirmed so far include Toni Sidgwick, folk bands Gegenforde and Easy Life, singer and guitarist Malcolm Elsbury, instrumentalist, Joshua Greenwell,  young fiddle folk musicians Fiona and Rachel Todd, classical oboist Evie Brenkley and pianist Finlay Hunton. The headline act will be Los Capitanes, a local band playing a mix of Latin and Spanish influenced acoustic music.
Regular father and son duo Robin and James Popps will also be playing together.
A new addition to the set will be the guitar and vocal skills of Barnard Castle jazz and blues singer Pip Waite and popular musician from Durham Corey Spence.
To get involved or to perform, contact maddy.sutton@thewitham.org.uk