A free summer concert hosted by Stamford Diversity Group will take place in Stamford this July.

Open to the Stamford community, the free 'Sounds of the Summer' concert is set to take place on 8 July at Christ Church, Green Lane.

Supported by the South Kesteven Prosperity Fund, the concert will feature local musicians and Stamford's newly appointed poet laureate, Emily Dickens. Read more about her appointment here.

Emily introduced herself ahead of the event: "I'm Emily a 28 year old writer and poet from Peterborough. I am focused on encouraging as many people as possible to explore poetry and share their views and express themselves; particularly women, people of colour and LGBTQIA+ people whose voices are less heard."

Alongside Emily, a range of musician will be performing at the concert.

Liubava Shevchenko, a Stamford based Ukrainian teen singer, is set to perform.

Lyuba has been singing for as long as she can remember. Her first vocal lessons started when she was around 5 years old. Before the war, Lyuba went to a music school where she studied vocals. After a move to England in 2022, Lyuba joined the Ukrainian choir "Sunflowers". 

'Sunflowers' is a Ukrainian choir based in Stamford who have united in music since their relocation due to the Russian-Ukranian war. Image credit: Nub News.

Lyuba has an eclectic taste in music. She sings anything from Ukrainian folk music to French and English popular styles.

Another Ukrainian musician, Iryna Muha, is performing at the event. Iryna is Ukrainian born singer, songwriter, hurdy-gurdy player, leader of MUHA band.

She works in the UK and internationally and has performed live on BBC Radio 3 and BBC radio 4, numerous festivals including Eurovision Liverpool 2023, Latitude, Edinburgh Mela, Rupununi Music and Arts festival (Guyana, South America).

She has over 20 years' experience in performing and writing. Her songs, accompanied by guitar or hurdy-gurdy tell timeless stories of love and belonging, as well as of the darker side of Eastern European Folklore with tales of abandonment, battles and preparing for death. Her traditional vocal style, lyrical and at times hypnotising, captures the listener's imagination and lets it picture mystical sceneries and natural landscapes. 

Stamford hosts a large community of Ukrainian residents who have been supported by Stamford Diversity Group and other local organisations during their stay. Image credit: Stamford Diversity Group CIC.

Harpist Eleanor Turner and bass guitarist Wayne Bennett are also on the line up with their duo, Bentu.

Bentu was formed in early 2020 when international musicians Wayne Bennett and Eleanor Turner found each and started jamming. The covid pandemic hit and their lives and livelihoods were dramatically changed.

Harpist Eleanor Turner will be performing at a free concert in Stamford this July. Image credit: Stamford Diversity Group CIC.

Composing their first track 'And that is why we are here today' for the British Music Collection, funded by the Interpreting Isolation award from Sound and Music, brought them joy and focus at a difficult time.

Wayne Bennet is a Stamford based musician who will be performing at the 'Sounds of Summer' concert in Stamford this July. Image credit: Stamford Diversity Group CIC.

There will also be free food and drink by Bombay Cottage and Sheckleton Wines available on the night.

Catch the concert on Saturday 8 July from 7pm at Christ Church, Green Lane, Stamford.