THE award-winning Celebrate Voice Festival bursts onto the scene on Friday, October 20 with its blend of thrilling celebrity performances and community events.

The festival has already been gearing up for the events, as singers from all over the UK and world arrive to stay with local hosts in Salisbury this week.

Jazz sensation Jacqui Dankworth opens the festival with blues pianist Charlie Wood, promising a sell-out opener to the 10-day festivities, with just a handful of tickets still available for October 20 (Sponsored by Southern Independent Medical Practice).

Lovers of a cappella will not be disappointed with the world-renowned five-time Grammy award-winner The Swingles, whose performance at the Salisbury Arts Centre is also approaching capacity on October 24 (Sponsored by Richard Griffiths and Co).

As the 2017 festival takes its inspiration from nature, the folk celebration is set to be one of the most unusual and enchanting in the event’s history. Multi-instrumentalist Cosmo Sheldrake makes a rare appearance in Salisbury for a twilight campfire folk session in the great outdoors (venue disclosed on booking). This is the culmination of an afternoon’s foraging course with nature author and bushcraft expert Anna Richardson. Cosmo has a cult following, and the festival presents him ahead of his debut album release in 2017 (Sponsored by John Rose Photography).

A new celebration of World Music presents renowned Portuguese Fado singer, Gil do Carmo and his band, performing at the atmospheric Medieval Hall (October 26) ahead of his London debut the following evening.

Gil has been brought to the UK through a partnership between Celebrate Voice and Songlines magazine’s Fado Series at the Pizza Express Jazz Club.

Star of Friday Night is Music Night and West End star, Graham Bickley performs a ‘living-room’ concert at the Medieval Hall with guest artist Mary Carewe, sharing anecdotes, stories as well as performing Music Theatre’s big show numbers in a fun and intimate evening, closely involving its audience. Sponsored by NFU Mutual Salisbury on October 28.

Artistic director Lynsey Docherty said: “2017 offers such a diverse range of concerts and activities to be involved with, and with so many events selling so fast, it is clear to see the support we have built up over the past few year. It is a joy, not only to bring world class singers to our local area, but to see so many volunteers giving so generously of their time over the past few months to help create this festival. As one remarked, ‘Celebrate Voice is not a festival – it is a movement’, and seeing so many people so actively involved in being creative is overwhelming.”

Performances take place in the Medieval Hall, Cathedral Close, Salisbury Arts Centre, and the Blackledge Theatre at Godolphin School, and discounts are available upon booking two or more events. For programme details go to celebratevoice.co.uk. Tickets can be booked via Salisbury Arts Centre, salisburyartscentre.co.uk or 01722 321744.