Get out and about in Kent this month with our county-wide listings guide
Diary of events in Kent – September
Out and about
Medieval Life
4 to 5 Sept
Tickets: �3.30 to �17.00
Tel: 01580 830196
Bodiam Castle
Ever wanted to meet a person from English history? Now you can at this special event. Make the acquaintance of Mad Jack Fuller and other rum characters as the Bodiam Players offer visitors to this event some snapshots of what life was like back in the day. The highlight being the appearance of Mad Jack himself, the eccentric Georgian squire who saved Bodiam from demolition in 1828.
Seed Gathering Sunday
26 Sept
Tickets: �6
Tel: 01580 879842
Bedgebury Pinetum, Goudhurst
Take part in a guided walk around the pinetum and look at the variety of trees, their seeds and methods of seed dispersal. Following the walk, there will be a practical session where you can 'pot up' a variety of seeds collected from the grounds of the pinetum. Not only will this be informative and interesting, but you will be making a valuable contribution to helping sustain the area's natural resources.
Funraisers' Infinity Dragon Boat Festival
11 to 12 Sept
Tickets: Contact Funraisers
Tel: 07092 222 066
Bewl Water, Lamberhurst
It's that time of year to get wet, wild, and wacky once again. The Funraisers' immensely entertaining Dragon Boat Festival will be setting sail at Bewl Water this month. Either taking part in the festival by building and running a boat, or just turning up to cheer on the plucky water-bound competitors. As well as the race, there will be a vast array of extra activities, including childrens' play areas, face painting and a rowing competition. Get involved, have a lot of fun and help out some worthy causes.
MCS Beachwatch Big Weekend
18 to 19 Sept
Tel: 01989 567807
Beaches on the Kent Coast
Volunteers are needed to help make sure that the UK’s, and importantly, Kent’s beaches stay clean and tidy for all to enjoy for many years to come. MCS, the organisers behind the campaign are hoping that this year’s event is bigger, bolder and better than ever, and that volunteers will step forward and do their bit to keep the Kent coast pristine.
Broadstairs Food Festival
28 Sept to 3 Oct
Tel: 07984 177 577
In and around Broadstairs
A week-long culinary fest celebrating the best of Kent’s food and drink is back for a second outing in Broadstairs, spotlighting quality Garden of England produce from local traders, suppliers and producers with special promotions, festival menus, demonstrations and tastings in restaurants, caf�s and bars across the town.
Arts and Crafts
Woodland Craft Day
12 Sept
Tickets: �2 to �19.50
Tel: 01892 870347
Chiddingstone Castle, Edenbridge
A day out suitable for all ages where you can try your hand at a variety of countryside crafts, including wood turning and wattle and daub. There will be countryside experts on hand to explain why the woods of the Weald are so important to people and wildlife, both past and present. And you can always have a stroll around the castle's grounds and see the wonderful antique collections on show within its walls.
Patchwork & quilting exhibition
3 to 5 Sept
Tickets: �6.50 to �33.00
Tel: 01732 865224
Hever Castle, nr Edenbridge
Hever Castle and The Quilters’ Guild are hosting their annual Patchwork and quilting exhibition in the castle grounds when members of the guild from across Kent and other regions will be showcasing their talents with a display of more than 200 patchwork quilts and will hangings.
Music
Opera workshops
20 to 22 September
Tel: 01732 450175
The Stag, Sevenoaks
Bookings are now being taken for these workshops, which are open to all school pupils who will be in Year 4 and upwards in September. Participants will write an original piece and learn the music and songs (even play their own instruments), and perform their very own mini-opera at The Stag. Musical theatre professionals will work with those in attendance to achieve their first steps towards musical or opera fame and fortune.
Folkestone Skabour Festival
3 to 5 Sept
Tickets:Varies
Email: info@folkestoneskabourfestival.co.uk
Folkestone
Ska heroes will be skanking their way to Folkestone to bring you a festival ska music, which will feature bands, DJs and a whole lot more besides. Fans old and new are guaranteed to enjoy themselves, and abandon all their inhibitions and hit the dancefloor for a bit of a bop. John Sims, the graphic designer behind the black and white imagery that represented 2-Tone and bands such as The Specials, The beat and Madness is the driving force behind the event.
A tribute to Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt
17 Sept
Tickets: �10 (from Frant Country Stores or by calling number)
Tel: 01892 750845
Church of St Alban, Frant, nr Tunbridge Wells
Internationally renowned violinist Mike Piggott presents a concert dedicated to the life of Stephane Grappelli. Performers on the night include Nils Solberg, Andy Lawrence and Rod Brown, who have played with people such as Bryan Ferry, Phill Collins, Nigel Kennedy and Jo Cocker, to name but a few. The concert is in aid of the Stables community hall, Frant.
Jazz on the Pantiles
Until 9 Sept
Tickets: Free
The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells
Popular Tunbridge Wells band Over The Edge, which was formed around 17 years ago will be making an appearance (2 Sept). The outfit offer a wide variety of songs that are always guaranteed to get feet tapping and audiences dancing. The Festival will be brought to a close by The Kit Packham Quartet (9 Sept)
Special events
Grandparents’ Days
Tickets: Varies depending on the show, contact venue
Tel: 01892 530613
The Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells
Rock Around the Clock (10-12 Sept)
Boasting a cast of singers and dancers and musicians who will deliver some of the rock'n'roll greats, including songs from Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley, give your grandparents the opportunity to relive their youth and walk down memory lane when they were young and fancy free.
The Gruffalo Live on Stage! (13-14 Sept)
Spending time with the grandchildren is a pleasure for all grandparents, so what better way to do this than go and see one of the most enchanting books brought to life at the Assembly Hall? Not just a show for kids, there are songs, laughter and scary fun that will appeal to all ages.
The Voice of Roy Orbison (23 Sept)
Grandma and Grandpa prize the time they spend together, but every once in a while they may like to do their own thing, which is why this show, the Voice of Roy Orbison, offers a great opportunity for Grandpa to do just that, and listen to some of the most appealing songs ever written. A feelgood show that would be the perfect night out
Tango Passion (25 Sept)
It wouldn't be right to offer Grandpa a night out, without thinking of Grandma. Tango Passion could be the answer here. A toe-tapping show that will allow audience-goers to relive some of the memories of those dancing days, when they were a little lighter on their feet in the ballrooms of the county.
Cirque de Glace: Evolution
7 to 11 Sept
Tickets: Contact venue
Tel: 0844 871 7620
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
Quite literally, one of the coolest shows in Kent this year. A combination of ice dancing from the renowned Russian Ice Stars and the world of cirque, this is a fabulous opportunity to experience music, colour, spectacle and some jaw-dropping acrobatics on the ice.
Lavender Lawn Party
12 to 13 Sept
Tickets: contact organisers
Tel: 01580 211055
Finders International
There will be live music, stalls, mouth-watering food, mini spa treatments, a spa art gallery, hame-made lavender cakes and a whole load more on offer at the Lavender Lawn Party, which is being held at Finders HQ right in the heart of the Kentish countryside. The first day is open to the public, while the second day will be a trade event for Finders International (the organisation behind the party) to speak to potential clients.
Theatre
Shakespeare – The Man From Stratford
28 Sept to 2 Oct
Tickets: Contact venue
Tel: 0844 871 7620
The Churchill Theatre, Bromley
Most, if not all, know Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, but how many of us know about the man? The answer is probably not many. Simon Callow has joined forces with Jonathan Bate, a leading Shakespeare biographer to bring to life one of England's greatest playwrights. This monologue breathes new life into his characters and the creative genius behind those characters. Don't miss your chance to see one the UK's leading actors treading the Kentish boards.
Lysistrata
17 Sept
Tickets: �10, �12
Tel: 01892 678678
Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells
The Actors of Dionysus return to the Trinity stage with their unique take on Greek drama in what is their first full-length, no-holds-barred comedy. Lysistrata and the women of Greece are denying their menfolk sex in a bid to stop a bloody war. Frustrations, of course, bubble to the surface and things eventually reach bursting point and erupt. An absurd, but highly entertaining, take on Aristophanes' work.
National Trust events
Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary Concert
4 Sept
Tickets: �32
Tel: 01959 572277
Chartwell, Westerham
A spectacular and moving evening is planned with the central band of the RAF. Joining forces with the Biggin Hill Airshow, this promises to be a concert to remember. Chartwell has many connections with Biggin Hill, including its close proximity to the airfield, and the fact that Winston Churchill visited the airfield's memorial chapel after the Second World War, which garnered a great deal of media converage. Booking essential.
Entertainment
Paul Zerdin
22 Sept
Tickets: �9 to �12
Tel: 01227 769075
Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury
Ventriloquist and stand-up comedian Paul Zerdin starred in last year's Royal Variety Performance and has made an appearance on ITV1's Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford. Funny and versatile, he is certainly one not to be missed. Book your tickets now.
Childrens' events
Day out with Thomas
18, 19, 25, 26 Sept
Tickets: �12.50
Tel: 01580 765155
Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden
Come along and meet Thomas the Tank Engine and some of his friends from the famous railway stories. There will be plenty of chances to climb aboard the carriages Annie and Clarabel, which will be pulled by Thomas, and go off on an adventure with them. In attendance will also be a number of other characters including the 'Fat Controller', Sir Topham Hatt and Charlie the Clown. Every child that comes along will also be given a special sticker and an A5-sized Junior Engineer's certificate to commemorate their special day.
Christmas
Lapland UK
4 to 24 Dec
Tickets: �44.50 to �62.50
Tel: 0871 620 7063
Bewl Water, nr Tunbridge Wells
With the summer hols barely over, it's time to start thinking about Christmas. LaplandUK will be making a return to Kent, in the wonderful setting of Bewl Water. With lower prices announced, LaplandUK promises to deliver a magical Christmas that the family (young or old) will never forget. Decorate gingerbread, meet Father Christmas, see the reindeer, and meet Father Christmas's husky dogs and so much more. Start planning and get your tickets now for a magical adventure you won't forget.
Cancellation
Flower Festival
St Mary's Church, Westerham
The flower festival that was due to take place 24 to 26 September has, unfortunately, been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
London Life
Gauguin: Maker of Myth
30 Sept to 16 Jan 2011
Tickets: �10, �13.50
Tel: 020 7887 8888
Tate Modern
Bringing together more than 100 works from Gauguin, visitors to this exhibition will get an insight into Gauguin as a storyteller. The event will feature many of the artist's greatest and most well-known works, including Vision of the Sermon and Teha'amana has Many Parents, and a room packed with self-portraits. Another facet to this exhibition is the idea that the artist could turn his attentions to a variety of different media, including paintings, ceramics, carvings and decorated objects. Learn about Gauguin the man, the artist and storyteller.
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Until 2 Oct
Tickets: Contact venue
Tel: 020 7401 9919
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
This year sees a revival of the 2008 hit, The Merry Wives of Windsor, which is often credited as the play that introduced and cemented the farcical traditions that still hold true today. This is a classic situation comedy that will entertain and amuse audience goers, wherever they are sitting or standing. The venue is perfect for such a performance, and, although it isn't subtle at all, a good time will be had by all.
Last Night of the Proms 2010
11 Sept
Tickets: Contact venue
Tel: 0845 401 5045
Royal Albert Hall
Bringing the summer season of The Proms to a fitting and splendid climax, The Last Night of the Proms will be packed with all the pomp and circumstance that has become synonymous with such an event. Featuring popular classics and more than a hint of patriotism, the whole evening has an end-of-term- winding down feel about it, but that isn't to say any of the performances will be toned down or lacking in effort. Audiences can also get in on the act, and frequently do.
Love Cooking Festival
2 Sept
Tickets: From �20.00
Tel: 0871 230 7143
Royal Festival of Hall, South Bank Centre
The first ever Festival of Cooking'kicks off at the Royal Festival Hall this year, and boasts some of the biggest Kings of the Kitchen, including Gary Rhodes, Gino D'Acampo, Ainsley Harriott, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Rick Stein. The chefs will be appearing in one-hour slots, imparting their culinary know-how and knowledge, as well as wowing the crowds with some of their skills. They will also be taking questions from the audience. We're just hungry thinking about it.
