Ashby Arts Festival 2012 - 27th May to 6th June
Now that last year's festival is a fond memory from the distant past, our attention is firmly fixed on how the seventh annual Ashby Arts Festival is going to entertain everyone in 2012 ...
The Festival headlines so far include:
U16's Rockschool
New and exciting this year, release your inner rockstar on this 2 day workshop at Ashby Academy of Rock! Then rock out in your very own concert, to an audience of family and friends, who better to show off your new skills to!
If you'd like to give your child something great to remember, broaden their skill set, inspire confidence and encourage new friendships read on, and have a look at all the other great children's events too!
Lucy Ward and Green Fortune
Following last years sell out performance, Ashby Arts Festival is proud to present winner of the BBC2 Folk Awards, Horizon Award for best newcomer, Lucy Ward and local band Green Fortune for another year and another stellar evening!
But they aren't the only bands we've got lined up for the festival this year! There is going to be music everywhere - from the Galleries, to The Festival Stage on The Bath Grounds, to The White Hart - we mean everywhere! If you don't believe us take a look at the Calendar!
JumpJiveSwing Blitz with The Jiveoholics
Also to return to the festival this year is the JumpJiveSwing Blitz event. Recognising the positive reactions to 2011's swing dance evening we felt it would have been cruel not to bring the event into 2012's festival calendar!
If dance is your thing, we feel obligated to let you know how much fun there is to be had at our other dance events too! Dancing in the Street and Swinging in the Marquee are all set to be so entertaining it's infectious!
Visual Arts
Whatever your skill level, favored medium or subject of choice, we want to see you exercising your artistic abilities! The Open Art Competition is an opportunity to exhibit, sell and even win prizes for your art work. Likewise, The Photography Competition is a chance to exhibit and gain recognition in the form of one our four prizes!
Competition entries are not the only works of art you'll find in our exhibitions, to see incredible pieces from Jane Betteridge, Di Lorriman, Ashby Art Club, Country Colours Club, Cryptic Art, Ashby School and more make sure to attend The Open Art Exhibition!
Not sure if your photographic skills are quite what they could be? Well come along to our Photograph Surgery, where you can seek guidance to hone your technique for more impressive results!
Or perhaps it's your painting technique you would like to work on? Then Isobel Lynam is who you need ... isn't it lucky we just happen to have a full day's painting on the theme of Ashby Castle lead by Isobel!
Outdoor Art Exhibition
And of course we would never forget the very thing that makes our festival so unique, the spectacular Outdoor Art Exhibition (sponsored by Homebrook) that can be found adorning the buildings of Ashby de la Zouch. This year our theme is to 'Celebrate in red, white and blue!', after all there is so many things to celebrate this year, to name but a few we have The Queen's Diamond Jubilee and The Olympics!
Download/Printable Festival What's on Guide and Art About Town guide to come.
There will be much more to look forward to - workshops, dance, drama, writing - keep up to date by subscribing to our blog!
Would you like to volunteer with us? We are especially interested if you are involved with one of our local schools, young people or community projects.
Photographs may be taken at Festival events.