INNERLEITHEN is ready to rock ahead of this weekend’s annual music festival.

The town is set to welcome an array of musicians, artists, performers and audiences to the 16th Innerleithen Music Festival this weekend.

And organisers are promising a three-day showcase of music, dance and drama events plus for, the first time ever, an art exhibition.

Live and Local co-ordinator, Rachel Mays said: “We are so excited about this year’s festival. It is fantastic to see so many new events being added to the programme and the festival taking place in even more venues in the town.

“Innerleithen Music Festival is truly embracing local talent in the community and it is great to see so many locals and visitors coming together to share their love of music.”

A curtain-raiser event kicks off the festival tomorrow (Thursday) at the Masons on Chapel Street, where a number of local musicians from various session groups are ready to entertain from 8.30pm.

Throughout the weekend, there will be live music at The St Ronan’s Hotel, who are also hosting the first ever festival Art Exhibition and the Festival Club (an open hosted session) at the Union Club between 9pm and 1am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

On Friday, the Memorial Hall plays host to ‘De Niro’s big birthday bash’ – a celebration of the life of Robert De Niro with live music from three Borders bands – Mills, Morph the Cat, Becc and Forth, plus special guest Dylan Paterson.

Innerleithen Parish Church has a feast for the eyes and ears with ‘Act! Sing! Dance!’ by Stardust Musical Theatre and Fiona Henderson School of Dance, followed by local blues talent from Lazy Man’s Burden.

Saturday is packed with events throughout the town – starting with the St Ronan’s Silver Band coffee morning at the Vale of Leithen Social Club from 9.30am.

Other ‘fringe’ events include singing workshops with Kathy Stewart-Kennedy and Francis Taylor, a historic town walk with the Innerleithen Community Trust, and a sing-along session with the Tweeddale Folk Group.

The Innerleithen Church of Scotland has two concerts lined up with Nomad Beat – community music school – and later in the evening there is InChorus with Traquair Community Choir.

The Derivatives entertain from 3-5pm at the Masons and the Fisher Lassies will be at the Union Club from 7-8.45pm, joined by some surprising friends.

On Sunday, Innerleithen Church of Scotland will host two concerts – ‘Song Spritzer’ with Turas, Home Groan and Gala Water Singers, followed in the evening by Heart and Soul Swing Band. There will be an open rehearsal from Tweed Valley Cheyne Gang at the Union Club.

For a full list of events, including where to get tickets, visit www.innerleithenmusicfestival.org