Culture

Soulful sounds and a relaxed atmosphere put locals in the mood for the coming jazz and blues festival at the end of this month

In anticipation of September's arts festival Alexander Stiller staged a question and answer session with Alisdair Kitchen, conductor and director of Euphonia Opera, who presents La Traviata at this year’s festival

Not everyone who watched the BBC filming Mapp and Lucia in Rye recently will be acquainted with the books by E. F. Benson. Here an expert explains the background and why the author brought his formidable heroines to the town

Beautiful choral music filled the air in St Mary’s Church as The Ryesingers rendered superb baroque and classical masterpieces

The first of many pop-up galleries - which has added colourful abstract works to a treasure trove of an interiors store in Rye - is currently packing in the visitors. Catch it before it closes on July 28

Celebrating the life of EF Benson is a rewarding experience. There are healthy walks about Rye, food, and even more food. Plus a good read. And nibbles

Two local acting groups join forces to commemorate the beginning of the First World War - and to celebrate its end - with a rousing chorus of musical hits from stars of the period. The final two shows are on Saturday July 19

With an atmosphere and a line-up to challenge any New York nightclub - featuring jazz, blues, soul, funk, swing, Latin - the third Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival is coming back to town for four days and five nights in August

This year’s Rye Arts Festival’s full programme of over 60 events is being announced on July 13. And the free and paid-for events will feature classical and contemporary music, literary talks, theatre, comedy, dance, walks, exhibitions, and events for the kids and much more!

The award-winning Aurora Orchestra performed in St Marys, Rye as the grand showpiece of the Peasmarsh Chamber Music Festival

Rye's Citadel is having more than its 15-minutes of fame. BBC cameras, the luvvies and the extras are milling round. They've taken over the top of the town. For some, the temptation is to spend the day watching - from a bedroom vantage point- as in the case of our Editor. See his feature As scene from my window. Another of our writers Andrew Bamji has been spying on Mapp on the Culture page while Tim Redfern has been talking to the producers.

A repeat performance: Taek Gi Lee, victor at the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition, will give the winner's recital at Fairlight Hall this weekend