Rye Arts Festival brings the very best of the global artistic talent to the town with over 60 events lined up between September 15 – 30 this year! The majority of the performers will be making their first appearances in Rye, but the organisers make no apologies for bringing back a handful of proven crowd pleasers across the whole spectrum of the arts.
On Wednesday September 26, Rye Community Centre is going to pulse to the driving rhythms and infectiously happy sounds of Mose Fan Fan – a Congolese maestro who will be accompanied by his band Somo Somo. A few years ago, the Centre was transformed to become a Night in Kinshasa by Mr Fan Fan, his band and a dancer on stage, and this year it will once again become the hottest gig in East Sussex on the night!
Craig Sams is not going to sing or throw some exotic shapes, but when it comes to heat he is worried about climate change and will be talking on Saturday September 22. The founder of the Green & Black’s chocolate firm, Craig has launched Carbon Gold biochar, and he is actively engaged in climate change policy and a campaigner for one carbon price for all carbon mitigation activity.
He will discuss how changing the way we manage farms and forests can stop the increase in greenhouse gas levels, bring us back to pre-industrial levels and deliver extensive environmental benefits.
The actor Martin Wimbush has delighted Rye audiences in the past with his one-man show about the Duke of Wellington. This year, on Sunday September 23, Martin will take the audience on a personal journey, where he rediscovers the parts in Shakespeare that he’s played and explores the ones he hasn’t, with plenty of funny anecdotes, quotes and jokes. The show is called Shakespeare and Me.
Martin is collaborating with Rye resident, composer and musician Michel Duvoisin. Michel was half of one of the finest undiscovered 1980s’ bands The Footsore Pilgrims, but now writes movie soundtracks and gigs as part of As Is in the evenings. He has written and will perform an original score to accompany Martin.
The Festival also welcomes back other artistes on a regular basis. These include the fabulous Euphonia Studio which has produced seven operas over recent years. And this year they are performing les Mamelles de Tiresias by Francis Poulenc on Saturday September 22 and Saturday September 29. There will be more about this in next week’s Rye News.
And on the evening of Friday September 29 the hugely talented young pupils of Rye Dance Centre will once again give an unmissable show that will captivate and thrill the audience.
Under the choreography of the Centre’s principal Joanne Fletcher, there will be a collection of dances, both old and new, in a variety of styles and types of dancing that will showcase these fabulous young performers from the town of Rye and the local area.
You can take your pick from contemporary and classical music, literary events, talks, walks, films and much more! For the full list of events, and to book tickets, go to www.ryeartsfestival.org.uk . Otherwise ring the Box Office on 01797 224442 or pop into Phillips & Stubbs in the mornings Monday to Friday. Brochures are available from the box office plus dozens of shops, hotels, hostelries and so on in and around Rye.
Rye News will be previewing the opera next week.
Photos: Rye Arts Festival
Image Credits: Rye Arts Festival .