Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
How much could you see in just a day?
With more than 200 events spanning across three weeks, it can be hard to make a selection from all the incredible acts to see at Canterbury Festival this year, so we have put together a snapshot to highlight all the things you could do in just one day
Each day, the festival is offering a series of guided walks. There are walks both in the city centre and further out into the lush countryside and seaside locations that surround Canterbury.
One morning, why not take a leisurely walk through the Stour Valley via the lovely old Chilham Watermill, or if you are interested in witnessing some wildlife, tag along to the birdwatching walk that will help you to identify many of the beautiful and sometimes uncommon birds that frequent Canterbury.
If you are visiting the city for the first time, get to know your surroundings and learn a little more about this fantastic historical location.
If you are already a resident of Canterbury, use these walks to find out something new about your home! Grab a coffee or a bite to eat before heading into the Spiegeltent at lunchtime to enjoy a series of free and ticketed musical events from talented musicians.
Relax and listen to a varied musical repertoire from classical to rock.
Young musicians will be taking part from local schools and colleges including Canterbury College, Simon Langton Grammar School, Canterbury Academy, St Edmunds School and Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School.
The festival’s partner, Canterbury Christ Church University, will also be showcasing some of its best young talent from across the board at St Gregory’s Centre for Music. Performers include the Student Union Music Society, Top Voices, The Broadway Choir and Dance and Music Students.
Don’t forget to head to the Cathedral Precincts for a midafternoon to visit one of the visual arts exhibitions! At 5.30pm each day the Cathedral Lodge plays host to talks from some of the country’s best and brightest speakers sponsored by the Canterbury Auction Galleries.
Covering a multitude of topics from the banking crisis to the 1920s flapper, this is a series not to be missed.
Britain’s most popular wine writer Oz Clarke will be in discussing all things vino with Charles Simpson on Tuesday, October 25.
On November 2 historian and broadcaster Kate Williams will be taking us back in time to the roaring 1920s. Kate will be asking just how roaring the 1920s actually were in this entertaining talk which brings the era to Canterbury Festival in all its wild, vivid glory. The prime-time slots of the festival are filled with a smorgasbord of entertainment in a variety of incredible venues.
Get a chance to visit the incredible Cathedral Crypt for a special and intimate performance by Will Todd with St Martin’s Voices, guest vocalist Tina May and Canterbury Christ Church University Chamber Choir.
As well as performing Will Todd’s iconic Mass in Blue, the performance will include a debut of Todd’s new work, Fire of Love.
If the Marlowe is your venue of choice, don’t miss Frankie Gavin and De Dannan on Thursday, October 20.
Globally renowned Irish band De Dannan join Frankie on stage for an evening of furious jigs and reels influenced by gypsy jazz and contemporary pop.
Over at Shirley Hall, witness
Miloš, ‘the hottest guitarist in the world’ (Sunday Times) perform Bach to Beatles alongside the English Chamber Orchestra Ensemble on Friday, October 28.
Experience an evening of music from classical music and the likes of Bach, Vivaldi and De Falla all the way through to some of the best Beatles hits. To finish the night off in style, head over to the Spiegeltent for one of the late-night shows.
If you have a bit of nostalgia for those Soul Train days, then Club Click is the event for you on Saturday, October 22.
Get down in a boogie wonderland of disco divas and groovin’ tunes. Dig out your highest platforms and all the glitter you can find because there will be prizes for the best dressed and best dancers.
For some rollicking late night fun, succumb to mistress of ceremonies Lili La Scala and her most beloved cabaret reprobates on Wednesday, November 2 and Thursday, November 3, in The Gilded Lili Revue.
Treat yourself to the best international cabaret, burlesque and comedy acts on the circuit and leave your inhibitions at the door.
To see the festival off in style, come to the Spiegeltent on closing night Saturday, November 5, and join Geno Washington and the Yoyos delivering a blistering set of soul, blues and R&B classics which will have you on your feet from start to finish.