ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
JAM On The Marsh // Kent // 7-17 July
Whitstable
Oyster
Festival
// Kent
// 21-31 July
JAM is a creative, dynamic,
forward-thinking music
organisation, regularly
collaborating with some of the
most important composers,
performers and other likeminded organisations. Since
2000 they have
commissioned, enabled and
performed over eighty new
pieces of music. In 2016, JAM
will be involved with 27 events around the UK, with 24 being part of JAM
on the Marsh in July.
JAM on the Marsh is an annual, multi-arts festival built around Kent’s
magnificent Romney Marsh and its famous medieval churches. The Marsh
churches are true beacons of culture and history and are the heart of the
festival, which features music, arts and photography and poetry and theatre.
The Whitstable
Oyster Festival is the
premier oyster
festival in the UK,
offering not only the
oysters themselves
but also plenty of entertainment. The entire festival opens with the traditional
blessing of the water, and continues for 10 days of oyster related events,
demonstrations, tastings and the music hub called The Shuck. For those
who want to attend from further afield, a campsite will be set up specifically
for Oyster Festival attendees.
www.whistableoysterfestival.co.uk
www.jamconcert.org
Create Festival
// Kent // 23 July
Lewes Live
// Sussex // 8-9 July
11.30am – 9pm
Create Music Festival, one of
the South East’s biggest free
music festivals, is back for its
21st birthday in Ashford’s
Victoria Park. With an
impressive line-up of local,
regional and national headline
acts across four stages,
visitors will enjoy a packed
programme of music
spanning from rock, pop,
dance and singer-songwriters.
Last year saw
outstanding headline performances from Adam Ant, Mark Morriss (Bluetones)
and Gaz Coombes (Supergrass). New for 2016 is a debut ‘Fountain Stage’,
and a ‘Love Ashford’ Local Producer’s Market, alongside the usual good
food, bar and children’s rides. Look out for the announcement of this year’s
headline act as well as a pre-festival event at the award-winning town centre
arts venue, Revelation St Mary’s.
Lewes Live is an exceptionally fun
festival in Lewes, nestled in the South
Downs, featuring original live bands
over two days. The arena comprises
a top-quality stage, camping, free
parking, a wide variety of food outlets,
an onsite beer festival and plenty of
toilet facilities, providing all the
ingredients for a great weekend of live
music. This year the line-up includes Ferocious Dog, Voodoo Vegas, Gaz
Brookfield, Jesse Walton, Skaciety and Noble Jacks amongst many more.
www.leweslive.com
Medway Open Studios // Kent // 16-24 July
Medway Open Studios &
Arts Festival takes place
every July throughout the
Medway Towns. Run by
volunteers, the aim of the
festival is to celebrate the
wealth of creativity in
Medway. More and more
artists have signed up year
on year, benefitting the aims
of the festival and promoting
a positive opinion of
Medway.
The great thing about
Medway Open Studios is
that there is no pressure on
either the artist or the people
who want to come and look.
Buying is possible, but it’s
not the only reason for attending; these open studios are there to be enjoyed,
and whether you visit one or dozens, this is a day out with a difference. You
don’t even need to have any artistic knowledge as this is something that
can be enjoyed by art lovers and those who aren’t in the know! The only
thing required is an appreciation of beautiful things and the hard work that
goes into creating them.
www.createfestival.co.uk
Ramsgate Festival //
Kent // 23-31 July
The first Ramsgate Festival was
a huge success and there were
hundreds of positive comments
from visitors. It was a happy move
from A Summer Squall to the new
name. Ramsgate was buzzing,
and there haven’t been as many
people by the harbour for a long
time. There was such a range of
entertainment that everyone could
find something to enjoy. A Summer
Squall drew crowds of over 20,000 people to theatre, dance, film, exhibitions,
workshops and Thanet Open Studios. Artists have included OperaUpClose,
Wendy Cope, The Caravan Gallery and the Vintage Mobile Cinema, performing
alongside many of East Kent’s best professional practitioners. 2016 promises
to be bigger and better than ever, so keep an eye out for announcements!
www.ramsgatearts.org/ramsgate-festival
www.medwayopenstudios.co.uk
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