Are you a busker or choir singer? You can sign up to perform at Rochester Sweeps Festival 2013

BUDDING musicians and singers can sign up to perform to thousands of people at two new events at Rochester Sweeps Festival in May.

Amateur choirs and buskers are being encouraged to register their interest in performing at the festival - which is likely to attract more than 50,000 visitors over the bank holiday weekend.

Throughout the three-day festival, buskers will be given an hour each to perform at 'Buskers' Corner' - an area opposite Rochester Cathedral by Boley Hill car park. The performers will get to keep any money they make during their gig.  

Choirs singing songs ranging from modern folk tracks to seas shanties will compete on stage at the Corn Exchange on Monday 6 May.

Festival music director, Doug Hudson said: "After the success of the 60 strong Thanet Big Sing Community Choir at last year's festival, it was decided to host a competition to reflect the growing interest in choirs.

"Folk music has always been sung by masses of people - in pubs, in their own homes, in fields and during work - so it was natural to invite choirs to enter a competition including several categories of folk song."  

Other music on offer at Sweeps Festival 2013

Music acts The Singing Loins and Tim Edey will be performing over the weekend at the Corn Exchange - where there will be a chance to learn how to make a cigar box guitar.  

There will also be a special memorial concert to popular local folk figure Terry Pearson on Friday 3 May, and the Edith May barge, moored at the Esplanade, will be hosting more live music.

Medway Council's portfolio holder for community services Cllr Howard Doe said: "The Rochester Sweeps Festival has been going from strength to strength for more than 30 years and it's easy to see why.  

"There's colourful entertainment on every street corner and fantastic live performances from some of the best folk acts in the country. 

"This year's Choir Competition and  Buskers' Corner will also provide the perfect platform for Medway's wealth of local talent to take part".

Buskers and choirs interested in performing at this year's festival need to register before Thursday 28 March.

To find out how to sign up for either event, call 01634 338109/8116 or email eventsteam@medway.gov.uk.