MUSIC, art, drama and dance will transform Westbury into a town of vibrant colour, sound and excitement as the month-long Westbury Music and Arts Festival is launched on Friday.
Over the next month, the town will buzz with entertainment and activities which will appeal to all ages and tastes. The festival is running from 17th September to 17th October, with events happening almost every day.
The festival’s jam packed programme can be found in this issue’s special pull-out feature, starting on page 11. It includes an extensive programme of arts events, sponsored by Matravers School, and features exhibitions at the Laverton, many varied craft workshops, poetry reading, life drawing, drama, sculpture and dancing.
Musical events include Sgt Peppers Only Dart Board Band (a Beatles tribute band), the Lee Ingram jazz quintet, Bratton Silver Band, The Great Western Chorus, an Irish folk group, and the Opus One Band. There is also a recital by the concert pianist, John Paul Ekins, and a classical guitar recital by John Mills and Cobie. In addition, Westbury library is running a series of events, including author talks, sessions for children, IT help, and sessions with the library’s book doctor.
Something for everyone
Organisers have been keen to ensure that the festival has something which appeals to everyone. David Perkins, chairman of the festival committee said, “The aim of the 2010 Music and Arts Festival is to bring culture and entertainment to the town, both to give local artists an opportunity to display their talents and to help put Westbury on the map.
“It follows on from the two-day, 2009 Music Festival, instigated and sponsored by the Rotary and Lions Clubs of Westbury, but benefits from the considerable enthusiasm and resources of the Matravers School arts department, the valued involvement of local musicians and the support of the town council.
“The wide variety of events should give something for every age group and many of the artists and performers have offered their services at minimal rates to enable the ticket prices to be kept as low as possible. Whilst the festival is non-profit making, it is hoped that there will be a surplus to carry over to next year.
“The committee hope that everyone in the locality will be able to find something to suit their tastes and that you all thoroughly enjoy the 2010 Westbury Music and Arts Festival.”
Westbury Lions president, Yvonne Hitchinson, said she wished the festival every success in its second year. “We congratulate the committee on their endeavours in extending the events into a full and varied programme covering four weeks,” she added.
Very exciting
Westbury mayor, cllr Christine Mitchell added her enthusiasm. “I think the Westbury Music and Arts Festival is going to be very exciting and very successful,” she said. “I understand that musicians are coming from other parts of the country and Europe to join with the very talented people we have in the local area. The festival is providing something to suit all tastes and I hope everyone will enjoy it.”
The festival wil kick off with the opening event and African drumming at the Laverton on September 17th at 6.00pm. The finale on October 17th will be a concert by the Wiltshire and Swindon Youth Orchestra, who will be performing a programme of British orchestral music before their upcoming tour of China.
Tickets can be bought from the box office at the Blueberry Cafe (formerly the Wessex Bookshop) in the Market Place, which is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10.00am to 2.00pm. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased using the booking form which can also be picked up from the box office, the library, and from various other locations around the town. More information can be found on the festival website www.wmafestival.co.uk.
