Folk at the Maltings opens its new season with a concert featuring one of the most prolific performers on the English folk scene, John Kirkpatrick.

John Kirkpatrick, who was awarded Musician of the Year in the 2010 Radio 2 Folk Awards, performs solo, in duos, acoustic groups and electric bands, and has established an enviable reputation as an instrumental virtuoso and session musician, as well as a leading interpreter of English folk music. He has been a member of the Albion Country Band, Magic Lantern, The Richard Thompson Band, Umps and Dumps, Steeleye Span, Brass Monkey, Trans-Europe Diatonique, and Band of Hope, as well as numerous ceilidh bands.

You can see him at the Maltings Arts Theatre on Friday, October 4, at 8pm with support from New Roots 2011 and 2012 finalists Tom and Jess. Originally from Twickenham, they have been singing together for six years and regularly play in their local area, even lending a traditional music hand to a professional opera company!

If you want to develop your own musical talents, the following day John will also be leading musicians workshops at the Maltings Arts Theatre. The first, from 10am-1pm will focus on playing for English folk dancing and is open to players of any instrument. The second from 2-5pm is for players of the piano accordion or the three row diatonic accordion and will focus on left hand technique using the stradella bass.

Show tickets cost £10, with concessions for students, children and unwaged people £8. Workshop tickets are £15, £5 for students. They can bought on the door or in advance, by booking online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/ovo, by phone on 0844 870 0887 or in person at St Albans Tourist and Information Centre.