It’s getting closer….this year’s Holmfirth Arts Festival – an action-packed 11-day celebration featuring music, comedy, theatre, storytelling, walks, workshops and family fun.
With just over three weeks to go before the opening event on Thursday, June 13, now’s the time to take a look at their website or pick up a Festival brochure – tickets are on sale NOW!
Fiona Goh, new Festival Director, told the Holmfirth website: “For music lovers we have the true musical one-off that is jazz pianist Django Bates with his Beloved Trio on the final date of their UK Tour. Classical guitarist XueFei Yang will be celebrating Benjamin Britten’s 100th anniversary and the prize-winning Heath Quartet bring you passionate performances in the intimate surroundings of Holy Trinity Church in Hepworth. We ask audiences to get their dancing shoes on for the International Mambo Orchestra on Sunday 23 June, for some Cuban sounds, mambo and salsa.
“We’re delighted to welcome broadcaster extraordinaire Andy Kershaw, whose one-man show explores his colourful and varied career as a DJ and journalist, from the front line of rock and roll to some of the world’s most dangerous countries. Our Festival of Ideas includes debates about what makes Holmfirth and the valley such a creative place, and Holmfirth on Sea, exploring Holmfirth’s links with the creation of the Great British Seaside, through Bamforth’s postcards.
“Comedy comes in the shape of Mark Thomas on tour and committing 100 Acts of Minor Dissent – joyously bad behaviour with a purpose. Mark is followed by singer, comedian, poet and tree impressionist Rory Motion, one of the most innovative and popular performers on the UK national circuit.
“Family friendly days include The Last Resort in Victoria Park on the second Saturday of the festival and the chance to marvel at Holmfirth’s riverside illuminations with a stunning fire sculpture trail on the opening Friday of the Festival. Dads will get the opportunity to go den building in the woods on Father’s Day and younger children can be treated to a special interactive performance by theatre company Tutti Frutti. There are also plans for a packed programme of textile workshops using recycled and upcycled materials. Fair and Funky will also be working with local schools to create a giant postcard trail throughout Holmfirth, using Holmfirth Driftwood. Look out for the specially commissioned festival postbox, too!
“This year also sees the culmination of the Festival’s commissioned Tributaries project, which has gone on to receive international acclaim, and we’re delighted to feature a new exhibition of work from Harriet Tarlo and Judith Tucker, as well as to launch their new artists’ book Sound Unseen, hot off the press and following its appearance at the Venice Biennale. We open the festival with Alison Lock’s reading of Eye of the Heron, based on her experiences as poet-in-residence in 2012, and accompanied by Richard Raby’s photography and Robin Bowles’ music. ”
So there’s a huge amount to look forward to – you can go online to view our festival brochure at www.holmfirthartsfestival.co.uk or pick up a copy at local information points.
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Amateur crime sleuths will be descending on a local allotment site to help solve a murder mystery this month (May).
Lily Green, a pupil at Holmfirth High School is now just one step away from playing within The O2 in London after impressing the TeenStar judges yet again! Lily aged 14 has now made it through to the Area Finals so is one good performance away from playing within one of the greatest live music venues in the world.
Thanks for the email from Holme Valley Initiatives inviting Holmfirth business people to their networking group, held every 2 weeks at The Full Life Church, Thongsbridge.
The major A6024 Huddersfield Road through Holmfirth is earmarked for major improvement work, announced Kirklees Council as part of a £23m project which will see facelifts for a number of Kirklees routes.
coming Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10, 11 and 12th of May.
