WOMAD honours Charlie Gillett

Broadcasting legend Charlie Gillett is to be honoured with a stage named after him at WOMAD, the World of Music, Arts and Dance festival which happens at Charlton Park, near Malmesbury, in Wiltshire from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th July 2010.

The Saddlespan Stage will now be renamed the Charlie Gillett Stage in memory of the Radio 3 presenter, who died earlier this year. Gillett had been a champion of world music.

Gillett, who died in March, was a respected DJ for stations such as BBC London, the World Service and Capital. As well as his broadcasting achievements, which saw him champion acts such as Youssou N'Dour and Salif Keita, he had also been Ian Dury's manager and was the author of 'The Sound Of the City', an authoritative book about the history of rock and roll.

WOMAD founder Peter Gabriel said, "Charlie Gillett was such a benign godfather to so many artists who have fallen under the name of world music. Bumping into Charlie was always one of my regular delights at WOMAD. There are many artists around the world who owe a good slice of their income to Charlie's enthusiasms. His generous and good nature, fired by his passion, was a beacon of light in the music world and a rare and wonderful example to all of us involved."

The Charlie Gillett Stage will be opened by eight-piece band Zoo For You who had been brought to the attention of festival organisers by the presenter.

Headlining this year's festival is Malian afro-pop star Salif Keita, the world-famous Drummers of Burundi, and indigenous Australian superstar Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, plus the legendary Gil Scott-Heron. Also performing are Congolese street musicians Staff Benda Bilili, Jamaican star (and Massive Attack collaborator) Horace Andy with reggae group Dub Asante, Australian/Anglo institution Rolf Harris and his band, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, and many more.

Full price tickets are priced at £125 for an adult weekend ticket. To buy tickets, click here.
Other ticket prices & options:-
Teenage Weekend Ticket - £60
Thursday Ticket (for those arriving on Thursday) - £25
Campervan Ticket - £40

Weekend tickets include access to the campsite and festival arena from 8am on Friday through to Monday. Free camping in the festival disabled campsite from 8am Friday until Monday for up to a maximum of 3 people per disabled customer (including your personal assistant/carer). Disabled tickets bought now include a free ticket for your personal assistant. However, tickets will not be sent out until the registration form has been filled in and sent with the necessary documentation.

WOMAD brings together many forms of music, arts and dance from countries and cultures around the world on seven separate stage and workshop areas. The full line-up will feature around 100 artists from 40 countries performing over the festival weekend. There's also a full programme of adult and children's workshops, a cabaret tent, fun fair, comedy, DJ sessions, and a market of world crafts.

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