Festival line-up of big promise after 2020 was a wipeout
With Ashbourne Festival given a provisional green light to go ahead this summer, committee member TIM CHALLANS returns with a weekly run-down of what to expect in 2021 - and how it will be a little different as we slowly emerge from the pandemic.
THE Ashbourne Festival 2021 is going ahead but in a different format. Instead of concentrating on two weeks in June the organisers are spreading the event across the summer and autumn to coincide with the relaxation of the Covid-19 regulations and to reduce the risk of audiences being reluctant to come to performances.
A programme of activities is being planned between June and December; from the Summer Art exhibition to the Christmas lantern parade.
The newest innovation this year is the Festival’s occupation of an empty shop in St John Street. ‘17’ will be a pop-up gallery, event and workshop space bang in the centre of town which will be open to local community and art groups to use.
The Festival has also applied to the Arts Council for funding for an artist in residence who will generate community projects from ‘17.’
The pop-up will help improve this part of the town, which has a number of empty shops. It will also be the hub of an Art Trail around shops following up last year’s very successful event after the first lockdown.
The first events will be in the open air and in large spaces.
The Summer Exhibition will take place in the Town Hall between June 21 and July 3 and local artists are encouraged to submit work on May 29 at the Town Hall. Full details are on the Festival website.
On June 24 there is a fascinating talk about wartime codebreaking with an original Enigma machine. On June 24 Illyria are performing Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ in the open air at Offcote Grange.
Illyria have a national reputation for outdoor Shakespeare productions and it will give you the opportunity to bring a picnic and see great theatre in safe surroundings.
On June 26, the young international wind quintet, Cavendish Winds, will be performing a programme of classical music in the large space of St Oswald’s Church and on 27 June the annual poetry in the Garden will also be held at Offcote Grange.
The ever-popular Streetfest will take place in the streets on July 3 and in the park, alongside Picnic in the Park, on July 4. A typical array of whacky acts has been booked and you will not be disappointed.
Later in the year, Comedy Night, headlined by Marcus Brigstocke, will be on September 24 and the 80s sensations, The Christians, will be performing on September 20.
More events will be added to the programme as the year progresses and you should keep an eye on the Festival website www.ashbournefestival.org for details, bookings and any changes.
Many events are on sale already so do not miss the opportunity to book now.
Changes may occur if national or local Covid restrictions change.