​A note from Lucy Zirins, curator of the 2018 Little Theatre stage.

“It’s a huge honour to be curating the Lucy Zirins Acoustic Blues Showcase 2018 at the Little Theatre​. As a local girl who grew up in Burnley and played many a gig in Colne at various venues, and who has played the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival for 10 years, this a fantastic way to mark a decade of my involvement. This year I have curated the stage with a view to promoting songwriting in blues music and unique arranging of old material. Having just completed a first class honours 3 year degree in s​ongwriting, it is my view that we need to be pushing acts that are taking the blues and it’s various genre offshoots in new and authentic directions. For me,​ that seems to logically be by writing new material. 

I’m pleased to say that as well as a brilliant array of solo and duo male artists, including locally born and bred Jack J Hutchinson, we have three fantastic female acts playing which was a really important part of curating this stage – girl power! I want to say a huge thank you to Tom Attah for passing on the curation to me (Tom curated the stage for the 2017 festival) – he is a dear friend and an inspirational educator and musician, and a thank you to Jason, Paddy and all the other organisers and helpers with the festival for trusting me to curate this.  I hope you all love the talent we have offer to you!”