A group called the Stockingtops has stepped into the shoes of another act to save the day at a community celebration.
Two events in Widcombe next month had been due to star the 60- strong Handbags of Harmony singing group.
The all-women act from Chester has gone down a storm in previous years at the Natural Theatre Company's Widcombe Rising street party.
But the group's appearance at this year's event on June 15 clashed with the final rehearsal for the Chester Mystery Plays, in which many of the women, Brass Set along with the group's musical director, are also involved.
Now Bath's all-female ensemble the Stockingtops have come to the rescue.
The Handbags were also due to be top of the bill at the Widcombe Association's Musical Picnic at the Palladian Bridge at Prior Park on June 14, which acts as a fundraiser for the main event the next day.
Now the Stockingtops, who were formed by their director Grenville Jones after he saw the Handbags at the Widcombe party, have agreed to fill both slots.
Widcombe Rising organiser and theatre company artistic director Ralph Oswick said: "The Stockingtops have saved the day. They are hugely entertaining and will fill the gap perfectly."
The group recently performed at the Showcase charity concert organised by Mr Jones at The Forum.
Widcombe Rising runs from 1.30pm to 7.30pm in Claverton Street and surrounding streets.
Traffic in the area will come to a halt to make way for what Mr Oswick calls a feast of fun and frolics.
There will be three stages, market stalls, a hog roast, street theatre, a miniature camera obscura, children's rides, wandering musicians - and a 51ft ferris wheel, dubbed Coach Bags Replica the Widcombe Eye.
Among the other musical attractions will be The Cosmic Sausages, The Duckworths, Keith Warmington and Stuart Gordon, The Mighty Peas, the City of Bath Male Voice Choir, the Bath Spa Band and Widcombe Junior School Jazz Band.
There will also be a performance by the Bedouin Jerry Can Band - a genuine group of musicians from the Sinai desert who not only play traditional Egyptian instruments, but are accompanied by a percussion section using fuel cans and other military items left behind by the Israeli army.
Performers from the Natural Theatre Company will join entertainers the Splott Brothers and Jimmy Mac on the streets.
There will be cream teas available at St Matthew's Church.
embroidered patches
Entrance is by programme available at the gate for a suggested donation of pounds2 per adult, while children get in for free.
The Naturals are still fundraising to pay for the event and a benefit cabaret, Bonbon's Big Fringe Nite, takes place at the Fringe Festival Spiegeltent on May 29. Tickets are available from Bath Festivals Box Office on 01225 463362.
For further information see or call 01225 469131.
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