THE sixth annual Hatherleigh Festival is getting closer and will be bringing another long weekend of outstanding entertainment to this unique market town. The mix of music, film, theatre, exhibitions and workshops is as diverse as ever and the quality exceptional. Forty-one events will take place over the weekend of July 12-15, ranging from samba to sculpture and comedy to cob.
Mike Martins, who has been enthralling audiences the world over with his high energy street theatre and cabaret shows, will be popping up all weekend. Mike comes to Hatherleigh following successful tours of Australia, Holland and France.
There will be a total of seven exhibitions throughout the weekend from stone sculptures by Dominic Walsh depicting organic forms and bold colourful paintings by Daphne Cartwright. Yvette Martin uses an extraordinary variety of media including wonderful willow creations.
The Sculpture Trail will feature again this year in a beautiful setting at the top of Hatherleigh Moor. A new venue for an exhibition will be Pressland House where the watercolours of Colin Allbrook will be on show. He is a newly elected member of the Royal Institute of Watercolour Artists.
Music is always a strong feature of the Festival and this year will feature jazz, samba, classical, gospel, cajun, with two bands who are almost impossible to categorise! The H Kippers are unique, wacky and very entertaining, including Paul Bradley (Nigel in Eastenders) forming part of the eight strong line up.
Five Furious Fish mix cajun with roots, reggae and funk to give an irresistibly danceable sound and will ensure that 'Saturday night in the Square' lives up to its tremendous reputation. Young concert pianist Ron Abramski and the exceptional Izumi Quartet will be providing this year's classical performances. These artists are, as always, of the highest calibre.
Events throughout the weekend for children are always high on the Festival agenda and this year will include films, a toymaking workshop, a half-human video show and a welcome return of the latest incarnations of Bob and Bob Jobbins. While at the other end of the age spectrum a showing of some nostalgic newsreels from the 1940s should stir up memories amongst our senior citizens.
Add to this an astonishing trio from Tanzania — The Black Eagles —who combine stunning acrobatic skills, energetic dance and an uplifting musical sound-track plus mosaic, poetry, a street market, a Gospel choir and so much more!
The aim of the Festival has always been to bring high quality entertainment into Hatherleigh at affordable prices — indeed many events are free — and this year is no exception. Mark up your calendars now for the Biggest Little Festival of the Year.
For further details: Hatherleigh Festival — 01837 811116.