Another eclectic mix of attractions on offer at this year’s Sevenoaks Summer Festival 22 June – 7 July
by Festival Chairman – Ray Russell
THE start of the Sevenoaks Summer Festival 2019 is just weeks away and colourful Festival Flags will soon adorn the town centre heralding this year’s two-week celebration of the arts.
The annual Festival Fair on Saturday 22 June opens proceedings and will enliven Bligh’s Meadow, The Shambles, The Drive Methodist Church and the Vine Gardens with familiar and not-so-familiar activities and offerings – music, including the Youth Music Stage, puppet and Punch & Judy shows, walkabout street theatre, (look out for the balloon man) close-up magic, Colourscape, Sevenoaks Ukulele Orchestra and a wide range of free entertainment for children.
All this and more can be found in the Festival Brochure, which can be viewed on www.sevenoaksfestival.org.uk or collected from Stag and other locations around the town and beyond. The brochure’s cover has a special 50th design with striking images of the celebrities coming to Sevenoaks this Summer:
- The Tallis Scholars
- The London Community Gospel Choir
- David Starkey
- Harry The Piano
- Pentangle’s Jacqui McShee & Friends
- Clare Teal & The Len Phillips Big Band
- Rick Wakeman for the Finale Concert.
Tickets for these and other Festival events can be obtained via the Festival Box Office.
Tallis Scholars – Photo Nick Rutter
Other prominent offerings are from Blues With Bottle Club, Chance To Dance, Green Street Blues, Kent International Club, Primavera Chamber Ensemble, Sevenoaks Art Club, Sevenoaks Philharmonic Society, Sevenoaks Ramblers, Sevenoaks Shakespeare Society, Sevenoaks Society, Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees and many other local groups.
Jazz lovers are spoilt for choice with the Sue Rivers & Jo Fooks Quintet at Knockholt’s Three Horseshoes, which also plays host to the Bosville Valley Stompers Dixie event, the Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra (KYJO) holds a mini-concert featuring Steve Waterman after its open workshop, while Noel McCalla and The Derek Nash Band celebrate the music of Stevie Wonder in ‘Some Kinda Wonderful’ in the Stag Theatre. We’re especially pleased to include another international guitar concert featuring Ayman Jarjour organised by Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees in support of Syrian refugees.
Musical offerings on The Vine Bandstand include performances by Sevenoaks & Tonbridge Concert Band and Darent Valley Youth Music. The Town Council’s Charity Fayre takes place in the Vine Gardens, as part of the special Armed Forces Day, this year on Saturday 29 June and including a commemoration of the end of WWI.
Harry The Piano will be appearing at the Pamoja Hall in Sevenoaks on Monday 1 July.
Special interest events include: Sevenoaks Three Arts Festival’s Prize-winners’ Concert, Sevenoaks Art Club’s Annual Exhibition, Sevenoaks Society’s Heritage Exhibition which runs throughout Festival and the Town Council’s Exhibition and Talk on the restoration of Bat & Ball Station in collaboration with Sevenoaks Camera Club.
Significant ‘Join-in’ events include: Sevenoaks Society’s Omega Group’s Poetry for Pleasure’, KYJO’s workshop for young players, Open Mic Night at The Anchor, which also hosts The Travelling Folk’s folk music singaround and an evening with ladies a capella group Green Street Blues.
So grab a brochure and book your tickets for the 16 days of this 50th Festival from Saturday 22 June to Sunday 7 July – and mark your diary for next year’s 50th Anniversary Festival from 20 June to 5 July.
Festival Box Office: www.sevenoaksfestival.org.uk
For further information please email: rayrussell@sevenoaksfestival.org.uk
