WhapweaselAN English roots dance band is kicking off the popular annual series of world music concerts in the Old Town Bowl on Saturday.

The first evening in the Town Gardens will see a ceilidh headlined by the festival band Whapweasel.

Bowl concert organiser Tony Rathbone, the council's performing arts officer, said Whapweasel is at the forefront of contemporary English roots music weaving colourful strands of folk, rock, ska and East European sounds into a wonderful melee that will leave no toe untapped.

"Whapweasel are simply the best English roots dance band around. This will be a great way to start the summer and I am very confident that a good time is guaranteed," he added.

Over the past year Whapweasel has been mixing dance work with concert appearances at all the major folk festivals such as Sidmouth, Cambridge, Brampton and Bromyard, as well as turning up on Radio 2's Mike Harding and Radio 3's Andy Kershaw shows.

At this year's annual BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards the band received the award for Best Dance Band, having previously made the finals of the Horizon Award for the best up and coming act in 2004.

The Old Town Bowl is in the Town Gardens, off Quarry Road, and opens from 6pm, with the band appearing from 7.30pm.

There is a bar and hot themed food but the audience can take a picnic.

Some seating is available but most people take their own rugs or deckchairs.

Tickets are available from the Tourist Information Centre on 530328, Arts Centre on 614837, Link Centre on 445566 or Oasis on 445401 and are priced in advance at £8.50 for an adult (£7 concessions and children) or £26 for a family ticket.

On the way

Subsequent Bowl concerts are Candido Fabre (Salsa) on June 18, Jazz Jamaica (Motown/Ska ) on July 2, Osibisa (Afro Funk ) on July 16, Alaap and Mona Singh (Bhangra) July 30, and Yakki Famirie (Caribbean Party ) August 13.

For further information on all concerts, contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01793 530328 or check out www.swindonartscape.co.uk

Gareth Bethell