Entertainment galore at the "Shepton Shop SoulstiSSS"

Do you like live music?  Maybe you live in Shepton Mallet but don't necessarily get into Town as much as you like?  Do you enjoy any excuse to have a good old knees up?  If any or all of these are true, then read on...

On what may be one of the busier days of 2011 for Shepton Mallet, Wednesday June 22nd, from 4pm through to 11pm shops will come alive with the sound of music (oh dear, I've just started humming).  This is the same day that the Glastonbury Festival opens its gates at nearby Pilton, and Horses Help For Heroes pass through the town en-route to Lands End, having driven carriages from John O'Groats. 

Shepton Mallet will enjoy a succession of musical events starting in Town Street at Peppers, then up to the lower High Street to Chats, back down to WooHoo Vintage and then back down to Number 21 before an hour long break during which you could perhaps visit The Dusthole, The Swan, The Bell, The 'Vaults, The Club or The Shrubbery?   After the break there is 30min of 'Freshly Ground' at Minsky's and then the evening finishes up with the last two acts at The Art Tree.

A summary of the line up is as follows:

• 4-5pm Hands on Music @ Peppers
• 5-6pm Richard Burley @ Chats
• 6-7pm Isa Kostoff @ WooHoo
• 7-7.30pm Isabel Aimee @ Number 21
• 8.30-9pm Freshly Ground @ Minsky's
• 9-10pm Donna Fullman @ The Art Tree
• 10-11pm Inspiration @ The Art Tree

Other shops supporting the event are Jo Luckstead's Studio 33 and Dredge and Male.

The Solstice

Gladly for anyone driving to the Glastonbury Festival, the official solstice celebrations are on the day before, the 21st June, just as the sun rises at 4.45am.  The actual solstice occurs at the exact moment where the Earth's axis is at maximum tilt of 23 degrees 26 minutes towards the Sun, and results in the longest day and shortest night of the year. 

The word itself (apparently) comes from two Latin words and mean 'Sun stands still', which it almost seems to do on the longest day.  That exact moment occurs on the 21st June at 18.16 BST, so technically, the SoulstiSSS event begins within 24 hours of that magical moment.

If you are not too familiar with the centre of Shepton Mallet (for example, if you are in the area following the Stone Henge celebrations or are here for Glastonbury), this is a great time to visit.

Entry will be free of charge but donations to the musicians are invited.