Showcase for acoustic, folk and roots musicians

The project from Helen Meissners’ Folkstock Arts Foundation will be operating out of the newly refurbished Live and Let Live at Pegsdon, five minutes from the A6 at Barton.

Linking up with judges from the folk club in Hitchin, which provides live music every Sunday at the Sun Hotel, they will be recognising, over a period of four weeks starting on January 28, artists hoping to win one of the prizes.

The organisers are encouraging talent to come forward and that conventional first, second and third-style prizes are not going to be the order of the day.

But recognition will be given and practical awards made to at least four acts – Perennial Professional, Inspiring Innovator, Most Promising New Act and Outstanding Live Performance.

The prizes range from £200 cash, donated by the Live and Let Live, a professional photoshoot with Bella Nova Photography in Hitchin, a day at a recording studio and a support slot at Hitchin Folk Club.

The club has established a reputation for being extremely discerning, while encouraging local musicans.

They have recently included Stevenage girl Kelly Oliver in three of their events and she has gone on to being signed to Folkstock Records, releasing her debut EP live on BBC Three Counties Radio on December 16.

Applications are being encouraged from all artists who consider their music to be acoustic, folk or roots.

Full details are available from www.folkstockartsfoundation.com.

Entries need to be in by January 14 and the project starts on January 28, running each Tuesday until the final on February 18.

Helen Meissner has been a finalist in the Hertfordshire Business Awards as well as the UK Festival Awards for Best New Festival.