Packed York programme of music, family events and films unveiled

A Hitchcock movie screening with a live music soundtrack is one of the highlights of a packed spring programme unveiled by a popular York venue.

For the first time the National Centre for Early Music will host a double bill of silent film with live music as part of the Yorkshire Silent Film Festival (Sun 14 May).

There will be two screenings: Tall Tales and Incredible Journeys (4pm-5.15pm) featuring fantasy films Georges Méliès and Segundo de Chomón and The Lodger: A Story of London Fog (6.30pm-8.00pm) directed by Alfred Hitchcock and tells the story of a serial killer.

Both films will be accompanied with live music offering a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Jazz greats

Some of the real jazz greats will visit the NCEM this season. There is the rare opportunity to hear the world famous guitarist John Williams who will be joined by fellow guitarists John Etheridge and Gary Ryan (Thurs 15 June, 7.30pm).

The extraordinarily talented guitarist Martin Taylor will be joined by Scottish signer Alison Burns (Sun 7 May, 7.30pm) to highlight the Grammy-award winning collaboration between Ella Fitzgerald and jazz guitarist Joe Pass.

Jacqui Dankworth returns with her husband, American pianist-vocalist Charlie Wood (Sat 3 June, 7.30pm) with duet arrangements celebrating a century of song inspired by some of the great musical talents and entertainer.

And pianist Joe Stilgoe presents Songs On Films featuring his own original and stylish orchestrations to some of the most memorable moments in cinematic history (Sun 2 July, 4pm).

Five folk gigs

Working again in close collaboration with the Black Swan Folk Club, there are five folk concerts this season.

The centre welcomes Steve Knightley (Fri 3 February, 7.30pm), the acclaimed Show of Hands front man. Leveret (Mon 6 March) bring together three of England’s finest folk musicians, Andy Cutting, Sam Sweeney and Rob Harbron.

Steve Tilston and Jez Lowe (Tues 28 March, 7.30pm) are two of the British acoustic/folk scene’s finest songwriters who bring intimate insights into their very successful approach to the writing craft.

Faustus (Mon 10 April, 7.30pm) leading lights from the currently vibrant English traditional folk scene and Calan (Wed 3 May, 7.30pm) who are introducing a new generation of listeners to Welsh traditional music.

World music returns

The NCEM continues to bring world-class world music to York and teams up again with Making Tracks.

This season it features music from Sardinian and South African guitarists Paolo Angeli and Derek Gripper (Thurs 16 Feb, 7.30pm) and klezmer group Sklamberg and The Shepherds (Wed 22 March, 7.30pm).

There is a special buy one get one free ticket offer for this music series, so worth taking advantage if you have a passion for world music!

Keeping on the klezmer theme, we welcome back She’Koyokh (Sun 9 April, 7.30pm) playing some of the best Balkan and klezmer music in the UK and featuring Çiğdem Aslan on vocals.

Family fun

For families there are four great events happening this season.

The fun begins with the fabulous Ensemble 360 who present The Chimpanzees of Happytown (Sun 26 March 11.30am and 1.30pm) telling the much-loved story of Chutney the Chimp who is brought to life through live music and colourful illustrations.

Updated Disney classic Fantasia 2000 combines stunning animation with timeless music and will be screened on a Sunday morning (Sun 30 April 11.30am).

Former percussionist with the Beautiful South Gary Hammond joins us with Bim, Bang, Boing! (Sun 4 June 11.30am) with lots of unusual percussion instruments including a waterphone, vibratone, buzz bow, airpipes and bird whistles.

Finally, hot from the London Jazz Festival Dave Kane bassist and Oliver Dover saxophone arrive with Jazz For Toddlers (Sun 25 June 11.30am) who play Dr Zapp and Dr Zamm, magical musical scientists from the future! Check our website for age suitability.

Singing workshops

If you are interested in singing, look out for our singing workshops as part of the York Residents’ Festival (Sun 29 January 1aam and 1.30pm) led by vibrant vocalist Vivien Ellis.

These are particularly suitable for adults but are open to adventurous youngsters over the age of five. No previous experience is required. The workshops are free but booking is essential.

And finally, if you enjoyed the Vespertine event at the NCEM last year, check out Traces of Sound and Light (Sat 10 June, 7.30pm) and see St Margaret’s Church through the curious minds of digital artist Annabeth Robinson and audio designer Jez Wells.

Audience members will be able to virtually move around in the space and hear in slow motion and shifting detail how it responds to sounds that are made within it.