Category Archives: Festivals

Bath Fringe Festival 2011

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Bath Fringe Festival

When thinking of the Spa city of Bath, we normally think of Bath for its Roman historical heritage and its Roman Baths, also its period Georgian & Regency architecture. In current times Bath is fast becoming noticed and frequented for its many festivals and fairs throughout the yearly arts calendar.

The Bath Fringe Festival in now becoming one of the pinnacles of the many artistic offerings available to visitors and local bath residents alike. The fringe festival attracts more and more spectators, audiences and visitors every year, as well as many different acts and artists from both around the and overseas, as well as the various home grown Bath talent.

This year the event is no exception there is a plethora of talent on offer, with many acts both small and large, some street artist who perform in the fresh air, others the acts are based in conventional theatre’s and smaller more intimate venues for smaller audiences. Most shows are normally free to the public or low cost, thus making the arts and performers much more accessible to the everyday person who might want to visit and experience the Bath Fringe Festival and all it has to offer.

Acts and performances you can expect to see immerse yourself in whilst visiting Bath during the fringe festival are; stand-up comedy, cabaret, street & physical theatre, folk & world music, jazz, Latin dance, various pop, rock and black music, circus arts, as well as spoken word, including poetry, plus modern digital arts and media. So the Fringe Festival during this coming month has something for everyone, make sure you book your accommodation soon, plus stay a few days to enjoy all that the city of Bath and the fringe festival has to offer.

Bath International Music Festival

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If you are a music lover and enjoy a wide variety of musical talent, enjoy visiting a historical city location then this years Bath International Music Festival is for you. The Music Festival is located at many different venues in and around the city of Bath and is now a major feature in the performing arts calendar in the city of Bath.

The Bath International Music Festival is aimed at anyone who wants to see live performances from many different artists from most areas of the musical spectrum, ranging from classical to gospel, jazz to Celtic music, blues to world music, country to rock, as well as Latin American and contemporary music. I think its fair to say there will be something at the International Music Festival for everyone to enjoy.

As in previous years the opening-night concert is followed by a very lively “Céilidh” for you to participate in or watch from the sidelines. Tap your feet to the sound of traditional Celtic tunes for your dancing and musical pleasure, this year the event takes place at the Guildhall, so get your ticket and get dancing!

The festival runs from late May into the early part of June, so there is still plenty of time to schedule a well earned break or mini-holiday to enjoy this musical extravaganza, with many of the hotels and Luxury Bath Bed and Breakfast establishments offering special offers and deals throughout festival season. You could even combine the festival with the many spa breaks that are offered through the city.

So, if you are heading off to the Bath International Music Festival you are in for a musical treat, as well as exposure to some great international and UK performing artists you are sure to have music to your ears.

Weymouth Beach Kite Festival 2011

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Weymouth Kite Festival

If you want to experience a traditional English seaside holiday then Weymouth and Dorset are a perfect place to be. The Jurassic Coast is perfect for a family looking to enjoy a great holiday while not leaving the country. A great idea for a family holiday is to rent a holiday cottage. A holiday cottage in Dorset can act as a great relaxed family environment to base your holiday around. Many Dorset holiday cottages are in a good location for you to explore the region and its many attractions.

The Weymouth area has a wealth of events and attractions to enjoy for all of the family, whether it is a relaxing day on a sandy beach you want, sun bathing while the children play in the sand or riding the steam trains around the area or exploring the many attractions such as museums including a dinosaur museum and a tank museum. There are many coastal walks to enjoy along the Jurassic coast that are enjoyable, you could even take the children fossil hunting. During the 2011 Mayday Bank holiday weekend Weymouth will be home to the Weymouth Beach International Kite festival. The festival takes place on 30th April to 2nd May. The annual event often sees in excess of 40,000 visitors making the festival a great tourist attraction. The kite festival will feature a wide range of attractions as well as the many kites that will be flying including a fairground, live music, kite workshops, trade stands, kite flying arenas and a firework display. The 2011 Weymouth Kite Festival theme is going to be “Creatures of the sea and shore”. There will be kite flyers from all over the world including individuals and clubs such from as far as Holland. So for a UK holiday filled with fun head to Dorset!

Bath Festivals guide 2011

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Bath is renowned for hosting some of the country’s most wonderful festivals and exhibitions throughout the year. Many people each year choose to take a short Break Bath and take advantage of all of the wonderful entertainment whilst staying in one of its fabulous Bath Hotels. Here is just a glimpse of some of the events that will be taking place in and around Bath in 2011.

January

The pantomime at the Theatre Royal Bath, the latest production is Aladdin and has been performed since December and will continue until the end of January. Starring Ricky Groves from Eastenders this production is bound to be a source of great entertainment for all of the family.

February

This astounding literature festival takes place in Bath each February and is becoming one of the most popular literature festivals in the country and has featured many of the worlds greatest authors such as Terry Pratchett, Sue Townsend and Iain Banks to name but a few.

April

The Bath comedy festival commences on April fools day each year, this very successful festival features the cream of national and international comedy talent and is hosted throughout many different venues in the city.

August

Despite the Bath Folk Festival being a relatively new festival it has been immensely popular and has brought the wonderful sounds of folk and traditional music to the city.

December

The Bath Christmas market is a wonderful chance for people to find the best possible Christmas presents in a festive and interesting atmosphere. This attraction is located close to the Abbey in the heart of the city and hosts 120 traditional wooden chalets that supply everything from hand fashioned goods to local produce.

Watch next years films this year in Bath

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The city of Bath will be hosting its successful annual film festival again this November; the popular event will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The festival will be showcasing almost 50 films for the public to view and this year as an added bonus the film festival has obtained the rights to show some of the most eagerly awaited films of next year ahead of time. Some of the highlights that movie goers can see will be the new film recounting George VI’s rise to the throne ‘The King’s Speech’ and ‘The American’ a new thriller that starring George Clooney.

Remember to book your Bath Accommodation as soon as possible as places can be overbooked due to people already taking a midweek break in Bath.

The Battle of the young Bath musicians

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This year the Bath pump rooms will host the annual Bath young musician of the year contest. The competition is run almost identical to the BBC’s young musician of the year contest but on a smaller scale with its main theme being to judge on musical expertise and excellence.

The first stage of the contest was held during the Mid Somerset music festival and from the many musicians that entered and performed for judges only 5 got through to the finals. The only requirements that the competition asks for is that entrants to be under the age of 21 and either study or live within a 15 mile radius of Bath. The judging is carried out and adjudicated by three very experienced and accomplished musicians.

The contest has been active for twenty three years now and continues to grow from strength to strength each year. The final contestants this year are:-

Ruth Knight on Flute

Ruth Lamerton on Clarinet

Natasha Michael on Viola

Finn Shields on Piano

Oliver Sourbut on Tenor Horn

As per usual the winner from last year will be performing at the event to show the standard of musicianship required to win the contest. Admission is free to the contest and tickets can be obtained from many different venues around the city. There is an abundance of wonderful Bath Bed and Breakfast establishments within the area that will make your stay very enjoyable. Be aware that should you be seeking Bath Accommodation for the event it is best to book well in advance especially for this busy weekend.

Star Gazey Pie

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If you’re looking for a great place to enjoy your Christmas holiday then why not try some Mousehole cottages? You’ll be treated to some spectacular lights and some genuinely merry and enjoyable evenings in the local pubs, especially if you’re there for Tom Bawcock’s Eve, a night celebrated with song, drinking, festivities, and of course the delicious Star Gazey Pie, featured in this video:

That’s a fish pie with the fish in whole and the heads still sticking out. Looks like a delicious winter warmer, eh?

The return to Bath of The Duenna, the most popular English opera

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Over 230 years ago two composers from Bath and popular playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan worked together on an idea of creating an English opera.  The composers Thomas Linley Snr and Thomas Linley Jnr were unaware that this piece would become the countries most popular and famous opera to date.

Owing to the discovery of some original manuscripts a new performance of this great opera will be shown in its original setting some 230 years since its creation. Audience members will be able to enjoy almost a third of the opera that has not been seen since its first performance.

Preformed by the English Touring Company this performance of The Duenna at the Royal Theatre will be a great addition to an already wonderful Bath short break at one of the cities Bath hotels.

Baths Art Affair

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A new and exciting festival of the arts will be taking place in the wonderfully cultural city of Bath in Somerset this year. The festival is organised by a committee from many of the cities top galleries, museums, hotels and other Luxury Accommodation in Bath.

The festival will feature everything from high profile art exhibitions to live music and wine tasting. During the festival exhibitions can be seen from such cutting edge and important artists such as Damien Hirst and Banksy right through to the antique masterpieces of Henry Moore.

One of the main points of the group is to capitalise on the geographical location of Bath and its position between the countries art centres of St. Ives and London. The idea is to unite as many of Bath’s art galleries as possible and turn the city into a major marketplace for art collectors to visit in the country.

So far, thirty galleries and numerous other related businesses and venues are involved with the festival and are helping to make sure its first outing is very successful in showing that London is not the only place in England to visit should you be interested in investing in art. The city has always had links with the art world with residents ranging from Gainsborough to Blake and is renowned for its decorative architecture.

You can expect the city to become very busy during the nine days of exhibitions and talks, so people are advised to arrange their Bath Accommodation as soon as possible to ensure somewhere is available.

Things to do on the Isle of Wight in July

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If you are like many in Britain, you’ll be taking your holiday on the Isle of Wight this year, and why not? Beautiful countryside, spectacular coasts and great little towns and villages to stroll around, the Isle of Wight keeps even the most restless busy on their Isle of Wight Short Breaks. If, however you are twiddling your thumbs at any point in July then here are just a few things that are taking place on the island that could keep you amused.

  1. Ryde Arts Parade. From the 2nd – 11th July. This flamboyant parade is a must see. Colourful and full of panache this parade kicks starts the Arts festival that takes place in various places in Ryde. The festival and parade also coincides with the Ryde Regatta which is an annual three day event packed full of fun and festivities for all the family.
  1. Rhythm Tree Festival from 16th to 18th July. This festival is firmly rooted on the Isle of Wight and this year it promises to be even bigger and better, showcasing the best of world music from Zimbabwean reggae to French fiddlers and African drummers. Specialising in offering the best didgeridoo playing in the UK from top performers as well as up and coming talent, the festival really is a must see.
  1. Day out with Thomas from 23rd July to 27th July. A great opportunity for all the family, a ‘Day out with Thomas’ at the IW steam railway promises kids a fun filled day, meeting Thomas and his friends, getting an opportunity to ride on a steam train as well as going on a bouncy castle, watching Punch and Judy and even going for a ride on a very bumpy bus.

Here are just three events out of a whole host of activities to choose from whilst you are on your Isle of Wight breaks in July. Whilst on the island there really is no excuse to get bored. Check out some other ideas here.