WITH Glastonbury opening its mud-splattered doors this weekend, the festival season has well and truly kicked off.
But if you can't be bothered to trek down to Somerset to get washed away, then you can stay put and still take part in some of the best festivals this country has to offer, and a few new ones into the bargain.
On a decidedly smaller scale, but with a great line-up of big names and local bands, the Family Music Festival in Kingham, kicks off on Saturday.
Hot new indie bands, soul, RnB, rock and folk acts are all on the bill for Oxfordshire's Commotion 2007 - and there'll be surprise appearances from some big names too.
Now in it's third year, Commotion will feature a Battle of the Bands competition for the first time, judged by Alex James, formerly bassist with Blur and international music producer, Steve Lipson, who can list the Spice Girls, SClub7 and Frankie Goes to Hollywood as a few of the many bands he has worked with.
Battle of the Bands gives young local bands the opportunity to perform on the big stage at Commotion and the winner will experience a live recording session and broadcast on Channel 6 TV.
There will also be percussion workshops, circus acts, face painting, bouncy castle, pony rides, bbq, bar with local real ales and wines along with afternoon cream teas, ice creams and much more.
Commotion 07 is in aid of music education in the community and the children's charity, Clic-Sergeant, (Cancer and Leukaemia in Children).
Family tickets cost from £25 and will be available from Kingham Village Shop, Jaffe & Neal bookshop, Chipping Norton and online at the Commotion website.
Cornbury is a much bigger festival contender, now in its fourth year and going from strength to strength.
Touted as a "one-of-a-kind: dynamic, eclectic and eccentric musical carnival - disguised as a country fayre - or a lovingly crafted, top notch, very English open air party, tailor-made for the whole family", it ticks all the boxes.
Certainly eccentric, charming and irresistible - Cornbury is a homespun melting pot where music-lovers share pies and a glass of Champagne with superstars, toffs, rockers, crooners, Morris dancers, farmers, urbanites, fashionistas, gourmet chefs and the little old ladies who make exceptional cakes.
In short, The Cornbury Festival represents classic summer entertainment for a friendly crowd from all walks of life.
A country fair with a rock 'n' roll twist; a farmers' market with a dancefloor; a magical local carnival with a classic contemporary soundtrack. Got the idea? Well listen to the line-up.
Headlining this year will be David Gray, Blondie (returning by popular demand), The Waterboys, The Proclaimers, The Feeling, Suzanne Vega, Hothouse Flowers, Imelda May, Midlake, Osibisa, Seth Lakeman, Flook, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Broken Family Band and many, many more.
Add some fab food stalls, children's entertainment, massages, camping facilities and a magnificent stately home into the mix and Cornbury, on July 7 and 8 is fast becoming a hot national ticket, especially as it sold out last year. Go to www.cornburyfestival.com for more info.
On a slightly more literary note Oxford's North Wall Arts Centre in South Parade throws open its doors to the public next Saturday for a three-week festival that celebrates the arts and, in particular, British artistic talent.
From classical and contemporary music to theatre and stand-up comedy, culminating in a week of film, the festival will showcase glittering new talent, host concerts with world-renowned performers and allow you to get close to British artistic pioneers. Call the box office on 01865 305305.
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