THIS YEAR’S Bromsgrove Festival gets under way next Friday, June 19, with almost 70 events across the district in just over four weeks.
Among them will be live music, plays, dance performances, art exhibitions, talks, the chance to have a go at a variety of activities and more
Friday, June 19
The first event at 6.30pm will be Zimbe! at Routh Hall, Bromsgrove School. Barnt Green Choral will be joined by two school choirs – 130 singers in total. The performance of Zimbe! bv Alexander L’Estrange will give attendees the chance to ‘sing the song of Africa’. Tickets, available from bromsgrove-school.co.uk/boxoffice or by calling 01527 579679 ext 616 for tickets, are £12.50. Visit: barntgeenchoral.org for more.
At 8pm, You Should Be Dancing – The Bee Gees Songbook will take centre stage at Bromsgrove’s Artrix. The show will take viewers through the band’s impressive back catalogue. Tickets, at £22.50 plus booking fee, are available at artrixbromsgrove.co.uk or by calling the box office on 01527 361324.
Saturday, June 20
The official Bromsgrove Festival Launch on Bromsgrove High Street from 12.30pm to 4.30pm offers a free fun-filled afternoon of entertainment and creativity for everyone to enjoy. Included will be singers, dancers and musicians performing near the Housman Statue, along with ‘Fancy a Tinkle’. There, people can have a go on the electric keyboard in the High Street (outside Verraco Lounge) to entertain shoppers. Visit the Bromsgrove Festival website for more.
Also on Saturday is the annual Bromsgrove Court Leet Fair Day and Street Market. The colourful traditional procession will journey to the Housman Statue where, at 11am, Bailiff Robert Spittle will proclaim the charter. It marks the day in 1199 when King John granted Bromsgrove permission to hold a fair and market. As well as the assizes, local crafters, schools and charities will have market stalls whilst dressed in traditional costume. The event is free. Visit: bromsgrovecourtleet.co.uk or facebook.com/CourtLeetBromsgrove for more.
A Summer Family Fun Day takes place from 1pm to 4pm at Bromsgrove Youth and Community Hub, Market Street, featuring fun activities including music, games, food, arts and crafts, face painting and more. Tickets are £3 per person, available from thehubbromsgrove.org or via Eventbrite. Alternatively, email: [email protected] for more.
The annual Guild of Silk Painters’ display gets under way at Rubery Library on Saturday and runs until July 18. The collection of work undertaken by members of the local branch of the guild is free to view from 8am to 8pm everyday (excluding Sundays). Email: Kay Morris at: [email protected] for more.
An Art Show and Exhibition runs at the Avoncroft Arts Centre, Redditch Road, from 10am to 4pm, showcasing arts, crafts and ceramics. All the work has been created by Avoncroft Arts Society artists. There will be free workshops on offer and the enamelling studio will be open for visitors to see the variety of techniques and styles Christine uses to make jewellery. Visit: avoncroftarts.org.uk for more on the event and: enamelledjewellery.co.uk for further details on the enamelling studio.
St Chad’s Craft Fair takes place from 10am to 2pm at St Chad’s Church in Rubery, boasting stalls full of handmade items made by local crafters and home-made cakes. The event is free. Visit: stchadsrubery.org for more.
An free Open Day Party takes place at Aston Fields Social Club, Stoke Road, from 2pm to 8pm. There will be six hours of live music with Skabucks headlining, plenty of dancing and a bouncy castle. Visit: astonfieldssc.co.uk for more.
A charity concert performed by the Beauchamp Chamber Orchestra will be held from 7pm to 8.30pm at Avoncroft Museum. The programme of the much-loved Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis and works by Vaughan Williams, Ireland Britten and others will be on the programme. Go to: avoncroft.org.uk for further details and tickets which are £25 (£15 for under 18s).
Sunday, June 21
Stourport Brass Band will take centre stage at the Sanders Park Jubilee Bandstand. It is part of Bromsgrove District Council’s free ‘Bands in the Park’ series at 2.30pm every Sunday until September.
Visit bromsgrovefestival.co.uk for more on these and forthcoming events.
