The Witham, in Barnard Castle, was left reeling from a funding blow this summer when the National Arts Council turned down an £800,000 grant application which would have seen it through to 2022.
The arts centre has turned to Danny McColl, of McColl’s Brewery, in Evenwood, to help put on an afternoon of beer and music to raise some much needed funds.
Mr McColl was happy to support the venue and was looking forward to attracting dale folk in.
He added: “We get our face known with being a Teesdale Brewery but in turn we can drum up some trade for The Witham.
“Hopefully it adds a bit of atmosphere and draws a few more people in – I think it will be a cracking afternoon.”
Live acoustic turns will be accompanied by Mr McColl’s ales in the Cafe Bar on Saturday August 26 from noon until 4pm.
Maddy Sutton, from The Witham, said: “We’re really looking forward to it.
“Danny will be bringing along samples – there will be a raffle and all sorts.
“It’s good for us after the bad news about the lottery – we are making a start,” she added.
Youth folk ensemble Cream Tees, open mic specialist Malcolm Elsbury and trad-folk trio, Over the Yardarm, will also feature throughout the afternoon.
Visitors can also take part in a raffle where prizes include the chance to win tickets for folk gigs Lady Maisery and Blazin’ Fiddles in the autumn.
Mr McColl has also donated a some of his beers as a raffle prize.
The brewer, from Middleton-in-Teesdale, said the there had been a few “bumps in the road” for the new start-up but he added he was “staying philosophical”.
He said: “I am quite happy – the reception to the beer has been brilliant and the take up has been good.
“We just need to keep plodding away for the next six months to a year and we’ll be away.”
To find out more about the Beer and Busking event, go to thewitham.org.uk
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