Music, theatre, talks and walks will brighten the autumn in east Kent when Canterbury Festival takes place from October 15 to November 5.
And we are very pleased to support the festival again by sponsoring one of the events – the Festival Chamber Orchestra’s concert The English Soul.
Here’s a taste of what is coming up.
This year’s Festival features a wide range of events taking place across the city. On opening night enjoy music from the ORA Singers in a performance in Canterbury Cathedral celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with musical works from the reign of the first Queen Elizabeth to pieces composed by modern-day composers.
Later in the week, sit back, relax and join the renowned Festival Chamber Orchestra as it aims to capture the emotive and spiritual nature of Englishness through classical and popular music.
There’s plenty of other musical treats in store, including a solo piano recital from Clare Hammond, the London Community Gospel Choir, Dillie Keane, African music from Mampama and Bach’s Mass in B minor performed by Canterbury Choral Society.
A series of wide-ranging talks takes place throughout the festival on subjects such as Early Medieval Canterbury and Europe by Dr Edward Roberts, Tutankhamun by Dr Chris Naunton, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor by Andrew Lownie, Josiah Wedgwood by Tristram Hunt and the first attempt on Everest by Mick Conefrey. The talks take place either in Augustine Hall or the Cathedral Lodge in the Precincts.
It wouldn’t be Canterbury Festival without a wacky week of family fun. The Westgate Hall in Canterbury hosts six fab family shows beginning with The Bubble Show and including a trip to the solar system in Journey to the Stars and The Mysterious Mansion of Mystery.
There’s also a huge sound and light installation in Canterbury Cathedral called Shine: Let There Be Light! Visitors will be invited to journey through immersive sound and light in different areas of the cathedral to explore life on earth, the wonders of space and the discoveries of science. The tour is expected to take 45 minutes.
Lovers of the open air are also well catered for with a varied number of walks in Canterbury and the surrounding countryside.
With an extensive programme of music, talks, performance, visual arts, walks, and umbrella events, there are lots of ways to get involved in this year’s Canterbury Festival.
View the full programme and book tickets here.
Tickets may also be bought over the phone or in person, Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm, by calling 01227 457568 or visiting the box office at Festival House, 8 Orange Street, Canterbury, CT1 2JA.
