The 55th annual Rye Arts Festival kicks off with a free curtain-raiser concert by the Marsh Choir on Thursday 10 September at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church. The roof of the church will be lifted by the wonderful, massed choir, and the nave will be packed with standing room only!
And on Saturday 12 September there will be a number of free events taking place in the centre of Rye from 11.30am to 4.30pm with something for everyone to enjoy. The town crier will launch the proceedings with a special cry outside the town hall. Then the Ryebellion Drummers will get things started in the way they do best – loud, rhythmic drumming! Elsewhere in town the Rye Bay Herrings, led by Martin Bruce on squeeze box, will sing shanties for all to enjoy and join in.
At 2pm Anne Rebecca Hoylund will sing operatic arias from the balcony of the George Hotel – last year her amazing performance drove the rain away from Rye High Street, and this year is bound to bring out smiles from the audience. She might pop up in other high places. There will also be street theatre.
Stephanie will do fortune-telling from her mobile stand, so catch her and find out what’s in store for you. And don’t miss Hunter and the Gazelle – part theatre, part dance and part giant puppetry – which is sure to enchant everyone who tracks down a performance.
Isabel Ryan will be in the St Mary’s Centre from 12 noon till 2pm running her Pugwash Workshop, which is great fun for younger children and also their parents.
Then why not check out some of the 70 ticketed events that feature in a packed fortnight through to Sunday 26 September? Top quality drama, speakers, authors, music from reggae to classical guitar, films and walks all feature in the south east’s best multi-arts festival this year. There’s even an historic pub crawl led by the town crier!
For more information and to book tickets go to ryeartsfestival.org.uk
Image Credits: Rye Arts Festival , Jeff Grice .