Each September some of the biggest names in the world of arts come Rye to talk, sing, play, and generally entertain us in what is East Sussex’s biggest and best multi-arts festival.
This year is no different, despite the cancellation of some events due to the sad death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
An important theme running through part of the festival this year is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in its many facets. And on Friday, September 23 we have two events at the Brewery Yard Club, a new venue for the festival this year which have been put together by the publishers Inkandescent. At 3pm we have “Writing Ourselves In”.
The festival also celebrates hidden queer histories with award-winning poet Joelle Taylor, winner of the 2022 T S Eliot Prize, and award-winning writers Neill Bartlett and Sam Kenyon, chaired by Nathan Evans, who is editor of Inkandescent, which has been shortlisted for Small Press of 2022 in the British Book Awards. Joelle and Neill have also just been shortlisted for the 2022 Polari Awards.
And then at 7:30pm in the same venue Joelle will host an inspiring Bold Queer Poetry Soiree, which will also provide second-helpings of the 2022 TS Eliott Prize winner Joelle Taylor plus the UK Poetry Slam winner Keith Jarrett, in an evening of spoken word with ‘a side of music’!
2022 sees the centenary of the publication of Miss Mapp, the second book in the popular Mapp & Lucia series which introduces the social tyrant from the coastal town of Tilling (thinly disguised Rye).
Come along on Saturday, September 17 for an EF Benson morning to find out more about the man behind these novels. Celebrate the life and works of Fred Benson, who wasn’t the only member of his family or his literary circle or, indeed, the town of Rye!
And why not join Rye’s resident bearded drag lady Timberlina for his Salacious Tour of Rye on Saturday, September 24 – a discreet, louche stroll around some of the town’s historic and contentious landmarks of gossip and intrigue? High collars, sunglasses and head scarves strongly recommended, as are sensible shoes. Timberlina has delivered sell-out exhibition and street tours for the National Portrait and Tate Galleries, so be prepared to be Rye royally entertained!
For more information on these and other events look out for the Rye Arts Festival brochures, which will be distributed around the town and surrounding area. Otherwise go to www.ryeartsfestival.org.uk. Tickets can be bought online or via the phone – 01797 462168.
Image Credits: RAF .