The 51st annual Rye Arts Festival kicks off next week. Running from September 9-25, the 2022 edition promises to be not just the biggest but also the best programme! Over 70 ticketed events will fill a packed fortnight with high quality performances.
The organisers have sought to offer something for everyone with a diverse selection of events including world famous speakers, world class artistes, and performers from around the globe.
Lord David Owen will talk about his book, Riddle, Mystery and Enigma, exploring the history of the political relationship between Russia and England over the last 200 years, which was published before the invasion of Ukraine. This event provides a chance to hear the former foreign secretary’s views on the Russian aggression.
And the Reverend Richard Coles has turned to crime! Having made his mark in music and then in the church. His debut crime novel Murder Before Evensong is already a best seller, and tickets for his talk will fly out of the door.
For the classical music programme, the festival has the exciting prospect of hearing young talented musicians from City Music Foundation as they begin climb the ladder of success. The foundation’s mission is to turn exceptional musical talent into professional success by equipping outstanding musicians with tools, skills, experience, and networks to help them make a living from making music.
There will be evening and lunchtime concerts in the atmospheric St Mary’s church and the programme is varied. The first concert is performed by percussionist James Larter, who will be presenting an eclectic array of music for marimba, percussion and electronics.
There will be a wonderful opera evening – Seasons of Love packed full of delicious, spine-tingling arias.
And the festival will end with at the musical pilgrimage by the Victoria Consort. The singers will start the pilgrimage at Winchelsea where they will sing religious songs from the Spanish Court at St Thomas’ Church. The singers and audience will then walk to Rye, via Camber Castle, for the second half of the concert at St Mary’s Church.
As well as classical music there will also be traditional and contemporary music gigs – check out The Mountain Firework Company for an amalgam of blues, rock and country. The Fay Hield Trio will play top quality English folk, while Kate Garner and her band will serve up music from the 1920s – get ready to Charleston your night away (with help from professional dancers!) And Kadialy Kouyate will offer some of the very best African music you will hear as he is a griot from Senegal, coming from generations of singers / musicians.
There is much, much more to enjoy, including historic walks (many of which have sold out already) in Rye and the area. Drama that will keep you entertained and classic movies, including the original Cabaret starring Liz Minelli and the Harder They Come, are on the cards.
For more information on these and all the other events at the 2022 Rye Arts Festival go to www.ryeartsfestival.org.uk or ring 01797 462168. Tickets can also be purchased at the Rye Information Point in Rye Town Hall.
Image Credits: RAF .