The annual Ashbourne Festival aims to bring some of the finest classical and contemporary artists to the area
Over the years Ashbourne Festival has attracted some of the best musicians, comedians, artists and writers in the world and 2014 is set to be no exception. The two-day International Streetfest, which opens the festival on 21st and 22nd June, will give visitors the chance to see talented street performers from as far afield as Hawaii, the USA and Australia – including C-12 Dance Theatre and their innovative street ballet with supermarket trolleys.
The main festival line-up features talks from well-known broadcasters such as historian and Georgian town expert Dan Cruickshank, radio presenter Stuart Maconie and Archers actor Tim Bentinck.
Stand-up comedy performances from Jo Caulfield, Matt Richardson and Paul Tonkinson will take place on Comedy Night and for music-lovers, the tribute act ‘Not the Rolling Stones’, Dante Quartet, local choir Cadenza, Ashbourne Town Band and the female barber shop ensemble, The Affinity Show Choir, will offer something to suit all tastes.
The festival’s drama and literary offering remains as varied as ever. International folk artist Lester Simpson will perform his moving piece ‘Standing in Line’ to commemorate the centenary of the start of World War I, and Tayo Aluko will recall the life of singer, actor and activist Paul Robeson in his world-renowned play ‘Call Mr Robeson’. The Scary Little Girls’ production of ‘The Full Bronte’ and the much-loved Poetry in the Garden, held at the picturesque Dove Cottage with Derbyshire Poet Laureate Helen Mort, both present unmissable occasions.
Once again, Ashbourne Town Hall’s elegant ballroom will be the backdrop for the annual Summer Art Exhibition, which showcases work from both professional and amateur artists, and this year’s Festival Fringe will offer a variety of talks, walks and community-based events.
Music
20th June - Not the Rolling Stones 8pm
22nd June - Cadenza choir and Ashbourne Town Band workshop and concert
25th June - Tayo Aluko 7.30pm
27th June - The Dante Quartet 7.30pm
28th June - Affinity Show Choir 7.30pm
2nd July - Standing in Line 7.30pm
6th July - Picnic in the Park 1pm
Talks & Literature
21st June - Tim Bentinck 7.30pm
23rd June - Danny Wells ‘Art of the Garden’ 7pm
24th June - ‘Idleness: Virtue or Vice?’ Discussion 7.30pm
26th June - Creative writing workshop with Cathy Grindrod 2pm
28th June - Poetry workshop with Helen Mort 10am
28th June - Poetry in the Garden at Dove Cottage 2.30pm
29th June - Dan Cruickshank ‘Georgian Towns: Works of Art by Accident’ 7.30pm
1st & 3rd July - Danny Wells History talk and tour
3rd July - CW Sellors Blue John talk and demo 7.30pm
5th July - Stuart Maconie ‘The People’s Songs’ 7.30pm
Drama & Comedy
26th June - Riding Lights Theatre Company ‘Roughshod – Incredible’ 7.30pm
30th June and 1st, 4th and 5th July - Outlaw Shakespeare Company ‘Taming of the Shrew’ 7.30pm
1st July - Scary Little Girls ‘The Full Brontë’ 7.30pm
4th July - Comedy Night with Jo Caulfield, Matt Richardson and Paul Tonkinson 8pm
Other
21st to 28th June - Summer Art Exhibition in Ashbourne Town Hall
27st June and 1st July - ‘Catherine Booth: Born in Ashbourne’ tour with Danny Wells
28th June - Young Musician Competition
Tickets are on sale at the new Visitor Information Centre in Ashbourne Town Hall and online at www.ashbournefestival.org
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