Rye’s Jazz and Blues Festival takes to the streets again for the August Bank Holiday weekend – which means road closures on three days (Saturday, Sunday and Monday August 25, 26 and 27) between 12 noon and 4:30 pm each day affecting East Street, Market Street and Lion Street.
Rother District Council looks forward to receiving any comments on the proposed road closures by June 19 at the Town Hall in Bexhill.
The Festival has been controversial in previous years because of a street band bringing traffic to a halt and free concerts attracting crowds (see top photo), but this year the event is seeking formal road closures for limited periods in a small area.
Traffic will still be able to enter and leave the historic citadel area using Pump Street and West Street at either end of Church Square, and last year the organisers had marshals keeping the pavement clear in Market Street and advising drivers about the road closures.
Headline acts between August 24 and September 8 include Dionne Warwick and Joan Armatrading with concerts at both St Mary’s church in Rye and the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill. For full details go to www.ryejazz.com.
The seventh international Jazz and Blues Festival includes world-class jazz, blues, R&B, soul, funk, Cuban, roots and other contemporary music. Other artists performing include Lucky Peterson, Zara McFarlane, Courtney Pine and Corinne Bailey Rae.
Photos: Rye News library
Image Credits: Kenneth Bird .
I look forward to this every year, and truly believe it makes Rye come alive!!!
What amazing people the Rye Jazz Team are, who work so very hard against numerous obstructions to continue to bring a variety of free music events, and amazing artists to this town – how lucky we are.
I would like to thank them all.