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1st April 2009
It’s early days yet and much will depend on funding, but we’ve no shortage of ideas for the 2009 Ashby Arts Festival!
This year the Outdoor Gallery is aiming to be even more prominent in the town. We have been given permission to use some of the walls on Market Street and we plan to have art works above Newlook, Boots, W H Smiths, Cancer Research, The Post Office Sorting Office, The Thai Rainbow and number 98. We also hope to have some of previous years favorite spots again.
All being well, we will be putting another local legend of murder and mayhem under the spotlight. Last year’s festival goers will remember the fantastic evening at the Venture Theatre when we put on a production of the Aristocratic Neck which told the horrific tale of the murder of John Johnson by Earl Ferrers.
Also featuring top folk duo, Tom Kitchen and Gren Bartley, this event was a sell out in 2008 and proved one of the high spots of the festival. I’m glad to say, our new production is shaping up to be every bit as good and as before, will be told through music, drama, storytelling and poetry. This year, though, we’ll be adding some multimedia just to prove, in spite of the subject matter, that we are not trapped in the past!
We will be auditioning for various parts in this production and will be putting out a call once the script has been finalised.
1st August 2008
Open competition Winners Announced
1st prize - £150 BLUE REGIS II by Mark Wilde
2nd prize - £100 GIZZERA by Rose Mafrici
3rd prize - £50 URBAN FIGURE (MALE 2) BY Paul Redford
This year's competition attracted entries from professionals and amateurs showing a wide diversity in style and media. Entries are from Derbyshire, Lichfield, Loughborough and Leicester as well as from more local based artists.
The judges, Carol Thompson, Jenny Cook and Rachael Chambers also 'Highly Commended Alex Newberry for 'Captain Jack', Margaret Barrett for 'Red and Gold Pallazzi, Venice' and Robert Fathers for 'Early Morning, Moira'
26th JulyWe couldn't have asked for better weather, a hot sunny day for the opening day to the Ashby Arts Festival 2008. Local MP, David Taylor, Town Mayor, Councillor Mrs Mary Tuckey, and Ashby Arts Festival Chairman, Richard Field, opened the 2008 Festival with short speeches and were then serenaded by members of the Ashby Songwriters at the busking event in Rushtons Yard. Elsewhere in the town, the Wish Team were granting wishes to everyone who was interested and Volunteers at the NW Leics Rural Trailer on Market Street were selling Passports to the Ashby Arts Festival Exhibitions, Open Studios and Outdoor Trail.
24th July
It is white boards down and paintings up, out with the computer consoles and in with the sculpture plinths as Ascott House is prepared to host a main art exhibition during the Ashby Arts Festival. It is perhaps a taste of what might be possible if the former college premises on South Street, and which still are home to the Ashby Town Council, is purchased for use as an arts/community centre. Fourteen artists, both local and regional will be showing their work. The exhibition includes paintings, ceramics, textiles and sculpture and is the work of professional, amateur and newly graduated artists.
The exhibition opens on Saturday 2nd August and is open daily except Mondays. It is one of several exhibitions in the town including the Open Art Exhibition at nearby Manor School.
23rd July
Judging of Open Art Competition Entries is now taking place. All Judges are highly successful in their field and from Leicestershire. They include Jenny Cook from Leicester - carved and painted wood www.jennycook.net; Rachael Chambers, owner of Ferrers Gallery at Staunton Harold www.ferrersgallery.co.uk; and Carol Thompson, children's book illustrator. Fingers crossed everyone.
18th July 2008
ASHBY SET TO MAKE BEAUTFUL MUSIC
The Ashby Arts festival officially begins on Saturday 26th July, with a busking session being held at Rushtons Courtyard. North West Leicestershire MP, David Taylor will be opening the festival at this event, where Ashby Songwriters will be serenading him with some of his favourite tunes. The event is free and open to both musicians and spectators. Just turn up between 11.30am – 3.30pm to join in the fun. The 2008 festival is being held over 16 days, and a full programme of events can be found on the website www.ashbyartsfestival.co.uk, or alternatively at Ashby’s Tourist Information Centre.
17th July
Ashby Arts Festival is pleased to announce two new sponsors for the 208 Festival. Ceva Logistics and Fishers Solicitors have decided to provide funding towards Ashby Arts Festival 2008.
15th July 2008
Tickets are now on sale at for Ashby Arts Festival 2008 events at Ashby Tourist Information Centre . Or come and buy tickets from us at the Ashby Famers Market on 19th July or at the Trailer in Market Street on 26th July.
9th June 2008
Salsa in the Streets
It’s not every day you get the chance to dance in the streets, with the council stopping all the traffic for such an occasion but that is exactly what is happening for our visual display of art ‘Salsa’ and our dance troupe of 10 people from www.SalsaSpeople.com at midday and 3pm for the Ashby Arts Festival 2nd August 08 in Brook Street, Ashby de la Zouch.
Everyone is welcome to come and watch the show, then join in for a FREE taster class to learn this exciting fun dance Salsa.
Kate Judge, the principle dancer of SalsaSpeople.com said “I can’t wait to show local people what a great experience Salsa can be, it crosses all boundaries, you don't even have to speak the same language! You can express yourself without words, its addictive and loads of fun. When you dance it takes your mind off everything and you communicate in a way that is unique and special. It doesn’t matter if you are aged 11 or 70 years so long as you have the will to mix with others and be part of something social then Salsa is for you. Everyone is invited from people who have never danced a step to those who think they have two left!
4th June 2008
Craft Fair and Outdoor Festival dates announced
Ashby Arts Festival are pleased to announce that there will be a Craft Fair and Outdoor Arts Festival in Brook Street and Ashby Baptist Church, which will be closed to traffic on Saturday 2nd August 10am - 4pm. It promises to be a very lively and enjoyable day. There will be lots to do and see including:
10.30 - 11am Street Theatre
11am - 11.45 Amington Band
12 - 12.40 Salsa Dancing and Taster session
1.15 - 2pm Amington Band
2 - 2.30pm Ashby African Drummers
2.30 - 3pm Street Theatre
Craft Stalls including Willow Making
Make n Take - crafts £1.50
Getting Inspired workshop 2-4pm
Stalls selling fairtrade products
Refreshments
If you're interested in selling your work at this event, please contact Lil Gillman. Brook Street is a fantastic venue, and we're sure to get a lot of foot traffic - we're still accepting requests to sell, so get in touch soon!!!
3rd June 2008
Come and visit us at the July Farmers Market on 19th July - we will be selling tickets and there will be more details about specific workshops
14th May 2008
The Ashby Arts Festival Literature Group's have a few words they'd like to say...
"Our plans for this year's Festival are moving along nicely, but we need your help!"
We're looking for poets to perform at the many events taking place during the festival. We're hoping to include the Crowded House, the Queen's Head, and the Conservatory Cafe in our list of venues in Ashby..., so we'll need a lot of performers!!!
The newly formed "Ancient Rhymers" are going to be organising and participating in these events, but more poets, storytellers, and musicians are needed! If you or anyone that you know are interested...get in touch!
For more information on individual events, visit the "Programme of Events" pages.
Tickets for most events are now available from Ashby Tourist Information Centre - 01530 454601.
14th May 2008
Tom Kitchen, one half of a fab folk duo playing at the Venture Theatre, will be running a folk fiddle workshop in the afternoon of the Venture Folk concert, on Saturday 9th August. Join the fiddling fun between 2 and 4 p.m. - all abilities and all age groups are welcome.
£10 for adults, £5 for children
Call 01530 223467
13th May 2008
The Ashby Songwriters are now inviting entries for the 2008 open song competition. The closing date for entries is set at 20th July 2008. For details, competition rules, and application forms go to www.ashbysongwriters.co.uk, or call 01530 272619. Download the competition poster here.
Do you have the lyrics but no tune to sing them to? Team up with a musician - all collaborations are also welcome!
21st April 2008
Leading street theatre company Dodgy Totty will be performing at Ashby Arts Festival on 26th July. During the following week they'll lead a series of workshops with young people to devise a street theatre performance which will be shown on Staurday 2nd August in Brook Street.
If you're over 13 y.o.a, and are interested in participating, please contact Mantle Arts on 01530 830811, or e-mail matthew@mantlearts.org.uk. Places are free but limited , and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Commitment and enthusiasm are more important than previous experince. Workshops will be held Monday-Thursday mornings, and then all day on Friday.
19th April 2008
Pupils from Ashby School will be painting 10 outdoor boards (4x4ft) to display in Huntingdon Court during the Ashby Arts Festival. These will be complimented by a number of 8x4ft boards displayed elsewhere around the town. We are delighted that Ashby School will be participating in the festival in this way, and we're all really looking forward to seeing their pieces of art.
24th March 2008
Would you like to exhibit a large piece of art outdoors? Last year Ashby Arts Festival displayed 12 different pieces and this year we're hoping to increase that number to 25! We are in the process of approaching new individuals and organisations for permission to use the walls of their buildings to give us more sites in and around Ashby.
We would like to invite artists who might be interested in doing a large piece of work for outdoor display to contact us early so that we can allocate spaces.
f you are interested, then please contact Martin Vaughan on m.vaughan@homecall.co.uk and he can give you further details. Thanks!!!
20th March 2008
The Ashby Art Club have told us that they plan to participate in the Festival this year. They have arranged to combine with the Ashby Camera Club and the Ashby Embroidery Club, and booked the use of the Common Room, and the Stanley Western Room at the Ivanhoe College for our displays. Because of costs, and manning challenges, we shall open the displays to the public only on Saturday 2nd/ Sunday 3rd August, and then again on Saturday 9th/ Sunday 10th August. There is a strong possiblilty that the Ivanhoe School Art Club will also take part with us in the Common Room. Details have yet to be finalised, but we wish everyone to know that we are "in" this year!
Keith Moore (Secretary, Ashby Art Club) event info...
13th March 2008
Listen to Ashby Radio on 12th May at 11 o'clock and you'll be able to hear an interview with one of the people involved with the Ashby Arts Festival. Ashby Radio is hoping to be back on air and transmitting between 19th April and 16th May, hopefully on 97.5FM. In the meantime you can listen online at www.ashbyradio.co.uk.
22 February 2008 - Open Art Competition and Exhibition Announcement
Would you like to exhibit or sell your art? Last year the Open Art Competition and Exhibition received almost 100 entries and provided the festival with a visual feast of watercolours, oils, pastels, sculpture, photograpy and textiles from local artists. The 'Open' provides an opportunity for all artists, amateur and professional, to exhibit and sell their work as well as giving visitors the chance to buy artwork at very reasonable prices. . If you would like to be involved, please download this form. If you would like to help advertise this event please display our poster
First Prize - £150
Second Prize £100
Third Prize - £50
OPEN TO EVERYONE OVER 16 YRS
painting ▪ drawing ▪ textiles ▪ ceramics sculpture ▪ printmaking
20 February 2008 - Come and see us at the April Farmers Market
On 19th April 2008 volunteers from the Ashby Arts Festival will be at the Farmers Market giving out leaflets about this summer's event. come and talk to us about what's going on and to see if you want to take part.
Ashby Arts Festival Dates Announced
Every August Ashby hosts an Arts Festival which features local artists, musicians, song writers, poets, performers and story tellers. The multiple sites around the town host exhibitions, musical performances, workshops and talks, and the town centre is decorated with flags and an outdoor gallery. So there's a lot going on and organisers would like residents to get involved in making it a success. This year the festival has been extended to include many more events and starts on 26th July 2008. The finale is on 10th August 2008.