Romance

Billy Miller – Pig & Whistle (weekend 8 & 9 ONLY)

“The flute is not an instrument which has a good moral effect. It is too exciting.” – Aristotle

Master flautist Billy Miller returns to Bristol to help celebrate the end of our season with timeless music and enchanting melodies. Visit Billy Miller's Website

Billy Miller & Misti Bernard – Fountainside & Pig & Whistle (weekend 9 ONLY) (NEW)

With boundless joy and a sweeping timelessness that will haunt your memory, this is music in its truest form. The joy and magic of instrument and voice as they intertwine. Come join us for our closing weekend and take away a farewell kiss in the form of the music of Billy Miller and Misti Bernard.

Courtly Consorte - Shakespeare's Meadow (Saturdays 7/23, 8/6, 8/20 & 9/3 ONLY)

Come join Courtly Consorte, a majestic recorder ensemble with festive vocals to please your ears. Their music is rounded out with guitar, mandolin, or bodhran to make a relaxing and entertaining time at the fair for the whole family. Stroll thru Shakespeare's meadow to visit Courtly Consorte and lend thine ear to the music of the Renaissance.Visit Courtly Consorte's MySpace Page

Craig of Farrington - Fountainside Music Stage (all season)

A wandering minstrel, specializing in love songs and bawdy songs. Craig of Farrington has been a fixture of Bristol since our inaugural season and continues to delight lovers and sweethearts with songs to bring them closer together. This delightful balladeer can be found wandering the lanes throughout the festival. Stop, listen, and learn to love. Visit Craig's Website

Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak. Jock Stewart’s warm, comforting voice and tender guitar playing will take you away to a time when the troubadour’s music was truly art, and the art was truly magical. Whether performing solo or as a part of 3 Pints Gone, Jock Stewart  continues to delight faire-goers season after season.

New Minstrel Revue - Various Stages (weekends 1-6 ONLY)

As The New Minstrel Revue, Jerry Barry, J. Bradley Collier and Thomas Nuendel have traveled all across America sharing their unique mixture of original and traditional music to exited and appreciative audiences. With a focus on vocal harmonies and a high level of musicianship these seasoned performers are consistently finding new ways to make you laugh, make you cry, or make you want to get drunk and start a band. NMR are joined on their newest CD, Big Blue Sea, by some of the finest folk musicians anywhere, performing on a set of 13 original and traditional favorites. Visit the New Minstrel Revue's Website

Queen’s Show: Ship-Shape and Bristol Fashion – The Globe (all season)

Her Royal Majesty and her court are welcomed to Bristol. But what of the rumors of a Spanish fleet massing? What of the outrage over the activities of English sea-dogs? Come enjoy the story, thrill to the intrigue, be swept up by the dancing and be carried away by the spectacle that is the Queen’s Show.

Tourdion - Various Stages (weekends 1-3 ONLY)

Tourdion, with their fine voices and proficiency on an array of instruments, bring alive an eclectic selection of traditional songs from the British Isles and France - from Celtic favorites and Child ballads to rolling sea and soldier songs.  Tourdion also pays tribute to several modern writers, including their own arrangements of songs by Archie Fisher, Andy M. Stewart, Christie Moore & Stan Rogers.  They've a voice of their own, too; added to the mix is a growing collection of original songs penned by Adam, such as one of their most requested pieces, Down in the Valley so Shady, a song dealing with the circle of life from a very striking point of view. Visit Tourdion's Website