Westbury’s Music and Arts Festival is well underway and with just two weeks left, there’s a wide variety of music and art events coming up for all ages and tastes. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the location of the box office has been changed, but tickets are still available for all the exciting events coming up.
Tickets for all festival events, which are running until 17th October, can now be bought from Town and Country estate agents in the High Street on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, between 10.00am and 2.00pm. Tickets can also be bought via 01373 302956 or alternatively by using the booking form which can also be picked up from the box office, the library, and from various other locations around the town. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.
David Perkins, chair of the festival said, “The main musical events still to come are Finnegan’s Wake Irish Folk Group in the Jubilee Hall at Bratton on Friday 1st Oct; students of the Welsh College of Music & Drama at Matravers on Saturday 2nd; pianist John Paul Ekins at Edington Priory Church on Sunday 3rd; The Live Session at Dilton Marsh on Friday 8th; The Opus One Swing Band at the Paragon Hall on the afternoon of Sunday 10th; The Festival of Choral Music at Matravers on Thursday 14th and the Wiltshire & Swindon Youth Orchestra on Sunday 17th.
“Artists can look forward to an exciting programme of activities, including the ‘Big Draw’ at Matravers on Saturday 2nd Oct, Life Drawing classes and various workshops at Matravers, the Laverton and the library. The Recycling Festival at Matravers on Friday 15th will be followed by the final of ‘You Think You Can Dance’. Please see the www. wmafestival.co.uk for the full programme and book ahead to be sure of a place.”
Organisers have been keen to ensure that the festival has something which appeals to everyone. David added, “The Westbury Music and Arts Festival is a not-for-profit event, initially sponsored by the town’s Rotary and Lions Clubs, aimed at giving local talent the opportunity to be seen and heard, whilst providing the people of Westbury and district with a wide range of quality entertainment at an affordable price.”
The festival was launched at the Laverton Hall on Friday 17th September by Andrew Murrison, MP, and was also attended by the Mayor of Westbury, cllr Christine Mitchell and members of the Lions and Rotary.
David Perkins said, “The Westbury Music and Arts Festival got off to a good start with an interesting exhibition of photographs in the Laverton. That was followed by an excellent Beatles tribute, Sgt Pepper’s Only Dart Board Band, supported by MGM and Us Two, in the Paragon Hall. Attendance was not as good as had been hoped, but the standard of the music was superb. The Dinghani and Merrilyn Richardson concert at Dilton Marsh and the Osborne Ensemble at Edington were both very successful and the various art workshops have been well attended.”
The launch was an ideal opportunity for guests to take in the first week of exhibitions at the Laverton, the ‘Summer in Westbury’ photographic competition, the camera club photography exhibition, and the Gambia photography exhibition. Taking in the theme of the Gambian exhibition, the launch was accompanied by the sounds of African drumming, provided by students from Matravers School.
The festival is running from 17th September to the 17th October, with events happening almost every day. 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. There are also a number of musical events for all to enjoy.
More information can be found on the festival website www.wmafestival.co.uk or from booklets around the town. Tickets for the Live Session on Friday 8th October can also be bought via www.gm3music.co.uk.
