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Legend of folk music from Sheffield, Kate Rusby who recently released her latest latest solo album Awkward Annie on Pure Records, makes her latest visit to St George's Hall on Thursday the 17th of June, in Bradford as part of the amazingly diverse MelaMatik 2010 Festival. Delivering haunting melodies, engaging on an emotional level with her audiences, Kate sets the standard for others to follow. Since releasing her 2005 album "The Girl Who Couldn't Fly", Kate has been tantalising audiences around the globe with original songs updating tradition. Accompanied by an ensemble of acoustic excellence, her magical compositions demand to be witnessed live! A must-see for music fans who appreciate quality.
 Since being transformed from a traditional local theatre to the hub of arts, music and entertainment, the Bradford Playhouse has rocked to the beat of every tune, including dubstep, rockabilly, soul, funk, glam and indie, and has been frequented by a plethora of visual artists, designers, and multimedia performers. To celebrate the sheer resourcefulness of Yorkshrie's hottest and most leftfield threatrical complex, for the first time ever, MelaMatik is showcasing a cross-section of tasty Playhouse playfulness... Not forgetting all round artistic and harpiness...... 
MelaMatik Playhouse events include a harp demonstration and recital, the momentous visit of the Incredible New String Band featuring Mike Heron, Pekko Kappi, Solveig and the Family Elan, the uber-chilled photography lounge hUUjUU, and the open mic Reading Room.
If you fancy something different in a tragicomic yet heartwarming stylie, get yourselves across to Otley's Courthouse Theatre, where renowned accordionist clown from The New Rope String Band, Tim Dalling will lead you headlong into a disturbing and hilarious world of miserable kings and tortured jesters , a momentous journey where you will join in the search for the happiest man alive. Whether you want to laugh, or cry, renowned musical performer Tim will break your heart with beautiful songs while having you leaping with joy.
A modern artsy venue in this folk-crazy Dales-edge market town, the Courthouse is worth a visit for soul-enhancing films, theatre, dance and cabaret.  Transport yourself to sunny Spain, without the soul-destroying delays at the airport with the risk of volcanic ash, or having to worry about your carbon footprint, and catch the stunning Jaleo Flamenco performance at the Square Chapel Theatre, Halifax on Sunday the 13th of June. Enjoy the passion, swirling colour and electricity of one of Europe's leading authentic flamenco companies as they visit West Yorkshire during their UK tour. Formed in 1988 by award winning artists from Seville, Jaleo Flamenco have delighted worldwide theatre audiences for over two decades. Let Jaleo add dynamism, energy and Andalusian charm to your life, with the magic and mystery of their dance moves.
 MelaMatik includes all styles of music from across the globe, and in 2010, it's Wurtlitzer time! The mighty cinema organ which dazzled picture-house goers and dancehalls for decades, is wowing audiences at Saltaire's Victoria Hall, where the organist of the world-famous Tower Ballroom in Blackpool Phil Kelsall will be delivering the tunes, and indulging in shameless musical nostalgia. If you are in the mood for something different, and fancy discovering the fascinating world of electric air pump instrumentation which began all those years ago in the silent movie era, get over to Saltaire on Sunday the 13th of June at 2pm.
 While, as in every festival, performers come from miles afar to entertain the masses, MelaMatik remains close to its communal roots, in involving local musicians in a sizeable majority of events, including Yorkshire rock bands, dance DJs and folk performers in our weird and wonderful soup of aural delights. Check out the Voltage Studios / Jam On Top band showcase at Zuu Bar, Bradford on Thursday the 10th of June, and the many MelaMatik Rox nites happening throughout the region (see the events calendar for details). You cannot get more local than the area's notable folk scene, and for the first time ever, MelaMatik takes in the mighty Topic Folk Club also on the 10th, the MelaMatik Wuthering Heights Folk All-Dayer at Stanbury on Sunday the 13th of June starting at 4pm, followed by at the Ilkley Moor Vaults in Ilkley, Wharfe Unplugged. Popular local folk legend Tony Levy (pictured below) will be performing at both events.
MelaMatik Topic Folk is a singalong, so don't be shy! Turn up and become part of the action. Wharfe Unplugged encourages those of you who are musicians to "turn up and play". The Rhythmbridge Foundation will be holding a community drum circle at the Square Chapel Theatre on Saturday lunchtime where you can learn how to master African djembe drums.
There are several workshops for aspiring beginners happening at the Musicians Centre shops in Bradford and Keighley across the weekend of the 19th and 20th of June, offering the chance for Joe Public to take your ambitions a step further.
 When MelaMatik is in the mood for a party, expect a full-on rave. Dig out your glowsticks, wear something dazzly and luminous, and dance 'til in a frenzy to the early hours. Philosophise to poetic folk, shake your hair before moulten-hot rock, and embrace the wide, wide musical world with cosmopolitan glee, but don't forget to let your hair down by allowing your limbs to do the talking at Melamatik's euphoric turntable events such as MADM at the Trades Club on Friday the 11th of June featuring Key-Lo and from London, the legendary tech-funk icon "Meat Katie".
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