Now in its 16th year, Ashbourne Festival once again promises an eclectic mix of music, talks, poetry and theatre in a diverse range of locations throughout the town
Now in its 16th year, Ashbourne Festival once again promises an eclectic mix of music, talks, poetry and theatre in a diverse range of locations throughout the town.
The ever-popular Streetfest kicks off proceedings with an action-packed weekend of world-class street entertainment on 18th, featuring performers from as far afield as Cuba, Australia and Canada. This year’s event also features a new artisan market and a ceilidh at the Empire Ballroom.
The main festival line-up includes talks by Professor Lord Winston – a leading expert in human fertility and one of the county’s foremost thinkers on genetics – and the Reverend Richard Coles; poetry and music from Roger McGough and LiTTLe MACHiNe; theatre performances from Pip Utton and Ruth Madoc; chamber music from Divertimenti Quintet; a choral workshop from Jonathan Willcocks; dance music from the Jive Aces; and a Comedy Night with Zoe Lyons and Tom Stage, supported by Eshaan Akbar and Garrett Millerick.
Verse-lovers will make a beeline for Poetry in the Garden at Offcote Grange with Roy Marshall, whilst the art exhibition in Ashbourne Town Hall will again showcase work from professional artists and local amateurs.
Full details and ticket information can be found at www.ashbournefestival.org and in the festival brochure, available locally.
Music
17th June Who’s Next tribute band 8pm
18th June Pandemonium Ceilidh 8pm
24th June Divertimenti Quintet 7.30pm
25th June Choral Workshop led by Jonathan Willcocks 10am
25th June The Jive Aces 8pm
2nd Jul Poetry and music with Roger McGough and LiTTLe MACHiNe 7.30pm
3rd July Picnic in the Park with Hot House Jazz 1pm
Talks & literature
21th June Rev. Richard Coles 7.30pm
22th June ‘The Ileachs’ by Clive Booth 7.30pm
25th June Poetry Workshop with Roy Marshall 10am
25th June Poetry in the Garden with Roy Marshall at Offcote Grange 2.30pm
30th June Professor Robert Winston: ‘Modifying Humans: Where does genetics stop?’ 7pm
Drama & Comedy
26th June ‘The Trouble with Women is Men’, Ruth Madoc with Leo Aylen 7.30pm
28th June Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, radio-style production by Peakland Players 7.30pm
29th June ‘Playing Maggie’ with Pip Utton 7.30pm
1st July Comedy Night with Zoe Lyons, Tom Stade, Eshaan Akbar and Gareth Millerick, hosted by David Ward 8pm
Other Events
18,19th June Streetfest
18-25th June Summer Art Exhibition 11-5.30pm
18th June Young Musician Competition 2pm
23th June Islay Whisky Tasting Evening 7.30pm
27th June Temari Ball Workshop 10am-4pm
