An eclectic mix of music acts and street entertainers to complement this year’s St Albans International Organ Festival (IOF) get underway from this Saturday, July 4.

IOFringe as it has been dubbed runs until next Saturday, July 11, and offers an extensive programme of live music, street performance and workshops.

That includes live music at the Clock Tower and Christopher Place or rock, jazz and blues at the Vintry Garden on the second Saturday.

The IOFringe Garden Party in the Vintry Garden also takes place next Saturday, July 11, and will close the fringe festival as the IOF begins. It will feature Fat Walter’s Band, Tuesday Club, Livzi Em, Daria Kulesh, Rae Kelly and The Hill Street Blues Band.

A celebration of Paddy the recently departed and much-loved Accordion Man, will also take place on his busking pitch.

Street performance comes in the shape of The Dragon and Balloonatic. At Christopher Place there will also be live music and a community piano. In addition, there are opportunities to make music by joining workshops in harmonica with Keith Parker, didgeridoo and WOOFYT!, a wooden, one octave organ.

IOFringe is providedby a partnership of the district coouncil and St Albans Arts Team.

Leader of St Albans council, Cllr Julian Daly, said: “The new IOFringe provides a fascinating mix of music and entertainment designed to complement the St Albans International Organ Festival. The Organ Festival and its fringe will attract people with a range of musical tastes to the City. I hope they explore both and support the local visitor economy at the same time.”

A full programme of IOFringe events is available at St Albans Tourist Information Centre and at other participating venues. Details can also be downloaded at www.enjoystalbans.com/iofringe.