ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
IT ’ S FESTIVAL SEASON ! cont .
Broadstairs Folk Week
Leeds Castle Classical Concert
The Wealden Literary Festival LeeFest
KENT COUNTY SHOW // 7-9 JULY www . kentshowground . com
The Kent County Show attracts in excess of 80,000 visitors over three days each year , and it ’ s little wonder . This showcase of farming and rural life offers the very best in Kentish food , animals and entertainment . There are interactive experiences to enjoy including the shire stables , woodland craft workshops and the ‘ Why Farming Matters ’ discovery zone . There is live music throughout each day , and you can taste some of the best produce from around the Garden of England too .
LEEDS CASTLE CLASSICAL CONCERT // 8 JULY www . leedscastleconcert . co . uk
A staple in the classical music calendar , the Leeds Castle Classical Concert never disappoints . Bring a picnic and enjoy the view of ‘ the most beautiful castle in the world ’ as you are entertained by live classical music ( from tenor Anthony Flaum , soprano Katie Bird and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by John Rigby ), with a spectacular fireworks finale .
THE VICAR ’ S PICNIC // 14-15 JULY www . vicarspicnic . co . uk
The Vicar ’ s Picnic is a great name for a great picnic . Located in Yalding just outside of Maidstone , the Vicar ’ s Picnic was born out of disappointment . A group of friends did not manage to get tickets to Glastonbury , so they decided to create their own festival at home . It worked , and it has gone from strength to strength ever since ! Acts for 2017 include The Fratellis , The Standard Lamps , The Native Oyster Band , The Kar-Pets and Lazy Habits . As well as the music , there are kids ’ workshops , poetry recitals , comedy shows and plenty to eat and drink .
THE WEALDEN LITERARY FESTIVAL // 15-16 JULY www . wealdenliteraryfestival . co . uk
Launched in 2016 with the backing of awardwinning authors such as Robert Macfarlane , Wealden Literary Festival is an annual celebration of place and nature through books , food , arts & crafts . Set in the enchanting gardens and woodland of Boldshaves Garden near Tenterden in Kent , this festival , which takes place on 15th and 16th July 2017 , offers a unique opportunity for both children and adults to explore the magic of the natural world . This year ’ s programme includes talks from authors such as Nicholas Crane ( copresenter of Coast ), the award-winning garden writer Alys Fowler , Dame Fiona Reynolds ( former Director-General of the National Trust ) and acclaimed naturalist , Mark Cocker . There are also art exhibitions , artisan food stalls and woodland activities from craft workshops and foraging courses to wildlife safaris .
MEDWAY OPEN STUDIOS // 15-23 JULY www . medwayopenstudios . org
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 .
CREATE FESTIVAL // 22 JULY www . createfestival . co . uk
It ’ s big and it ’ s free which might be all you need to know about the Ashford based Create Festival . However , what is also important to note is that it is also one of the South East ’ s biggest and most diverse festivals , and it is jam packed full of original acts that encompass , folk , pop , dance and rock . Create 2016 saw the likes of David Live ( an incredible David Bowie tribute act ), Ben Russell & The Charmers , Dorey the Wise and Old Town Souls . 2017 looks set to be bigger and better than ever before .
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