THE ASIA HOUSE FESTIVAL OF ASIAN LITERATURE May 2010 (tbc)
The only Festival in the UK dedicated to writing about Asia, The Asia House Festival of Asian Literature celebrates the newest and best of writing across a broad spectrum of Asian countries in a series of talks, debates and discussions. With over 25 authors covering ten Asian countries, The 2010 Asia House Festival of Asian Literature provides a unique, accessible way to interact with and understand these diverse cultures. The festival is sponsored by The Standard Chartered Private Bank and supported by The National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Contact: Asia House 63 New Cavendish Street London W1G 7LP Tel: +44 (0)20 7307 5454 E-mail: enquiries@asiahouse.co.uk Web links: www.asiahouse.org; http://www.asiahouse.org/net/SpecialEvents.aspx
BRIGHTON FESTIVAL 1 - 23 May 2010
Brighton Festival is a contemporary celebration of British and international performing arts, bringing and commissioning events to and for Brighton, many that cannot be seen elsewhere in the UK and reflecting the thriving creativity of its own artistic community.
Contact: Jane McMorrow (Festival Manager) Festival Administration Office 12a Pavilion Buildings Castle Square Brighton BN1 1EE Tel: +44 (0)1273 260805/700747/+44 (0)1273 709709 (Box office) Fax: +44 (0)1273 707505/+44 (0)1273 261543 (Box office) E-Mail: info@brighton-festival.org.uk, tickets@brightondome.org Web links: http://www.brightonfestival.org/
BURY ST. EDMUNDS FESTIVAL May 2010 (tbc)
A general arts festival with a strong musical element and some literary events.
Contact: Nick Wells (Festival Manager) Borough Offices Angel Hill Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 1XB Tel: +44 (0)1284 757630/+44 (0)1284 757099 (festival hotline) Fax: +44 (0)1284 757631 E-Mail: info@buryfestival.co.uk, nick.wells@stedsbc.gov.uk Web links: http://www2.buryfreepress.co.uk/festival/index.asp
CAMBRIDGE STORYTELLING FESTIVAL: THE BRIDGE OF TALES May 2010 (tbc)
Following the success of our first festival, Cambridge Storytellers are once again inviting story lovers to dodge the trolls as they cross the Cam for another spellbinding event in May. We showcase the best in the oral tradition, with a major new piece from world-class storyteller Ben Haggarty, 'Mr Sandmann - Bringer of Dreams and Nightmares', a focus on new tellers including Dominic Kelly and contenders for the Young Storyteller of the Year award, and many workshops, open tellings and networking events. Expect to be challenged, enchanted, and inspired!
St Andrew's Hall Chesterton Cambridge CB4 1DH Email: cambridgestorytellers@gmail.com Web links: www.cambridgestorytellers.com
CHALFONT ST GILES AND JORDANS LITERARY FESTIVAL (BIENNIAL) May 2010 (tbc)
The festival is back for the third year with new speakers and another writing competition.
Contact: Kathleen Martin The Festival Box Office The Finches Mill Lane Chalfont St Giles HP8 4NX Tel: +44 (0)1494 873966 (between 11am and 8pm) E-Mail: csg.boxoffice@ntlworld.com Web links: http://www.chalfontstgilesliteraryfestival.org.uk
CHARLESTON FESTIVAL May 2010 (tbc)
Set in the tranquil country home of the Bloomsbury artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell, this annual festival never fails to bring international writers and thinkers to the Sussex countryside. Appearing in 2007 were William Dalrymple, Alain de Botton, Kiran Desai, Michael Frayn, Clive James, Andrew Motion, Claire Tomalin, Edward St Aubyn and Graham Swift. Poets Auden & MacNiece are discussed by Tom Paulin and John Fuller; Mark Haworth-Booth discusses Lee Miller; and Daphne du Maurier’s haunting novels will be scrutinised by Justine Picardie, Nicholas Roeg and Nell Leyshon.
Contact: Darren Clarke (Visitor & Festival Manager) Charleston Trust Charleston Firle Lewes BN8 6LL Tel: 01323 811265 E-mail: d.clarke@charleston.org.uk Web links: www.charleston.org.uk
COUNTRYBOOKSHOP PEAK FESTIVAL Various 14 May 2010
Previous festivals included talks by John Major, Marina Lewycka, Ramachandra Guha, Rageh Omah, Lionel Shriver, and Louis de Bernières.
Contact: Sridhar Gowda (Director) Countrybookshop Hassop Station Bakewell Derbyshire DE45 1NW UK Tel: +44 (0)1629 816701 E-Mail: Sridhar Gowda Web links: http://www.countrybookshop.co.uk/peakfestival/
DAPHNE DU MAURIER FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND LITERATURE 13 - 22 May 2010 Fowey Cornwall
A festival to celebrate the life and works of Daphne du Maurier featuring writers, entertainers and celebrities of national and international renown.
Contact: Jonathan Aberdeen (Festival Co-ordinator) Restormel Borough Council Penwinnick Road St Austell Cornwall PL25 5DR Tel: +44 (0)1726 223535/+44 (0)1726 77477 Fax: +44 (0)1276 223301 E-Mail: jaberdeen@restormel.gov.uk Web links: http://www.dumaurierfestival.co.uk/
DORCHESTER FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AND ARTS (BIENNIAL) May 2010 (tbc)
Includes a small literature programme.
Contact: Sharon Hayden (Festival Organiser) Dorchester Arts Centre School Lane The Grove Dorchester DT1 1XR Tel: +44 (0)1305 266926 Fax: +44 (0)1305 266143 E-Mail: enquiries@dorchesterarts.org.uk Web links: http://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk
DULWICH FESTIVAL May 2010 (tbc)
A community arts festival that features literary talks and readings, poetry, historical/architectural/wildlife walks, theatre, music, art and family entertainment.
Contact: Susie (Festival Director) Tel: +44 (0)20 8299 1011 E-Mail: enquiries@dulwichfestival.co.uk Web links: http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk
DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY ARTS FESTIVAL 21 - 29 May 2010
A regional general arts festival involving music, visual arts, drama, film, dance, children's events and literature.
Contact: Lynn Otty (Literature Convener) Gracefield Arts Centre 28 Edinburgh Road Dumfries DG1 1JQ Tel: +44 (0)1387 260447 Fax: +44 (0)1387 260447 E-Mail: info@dgartsfestival.org.uk Web links: http://www.dgartsfestival.org.uk
THE HASLEMERE TENNYSON WEEKEND 22 - 24 May 2009 Aldworth House, Haslemere
Haslemere is delighted to be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, with a weekend of themed events. You can attend individual events or the whole weekend at a special rate including accommodation. Tennyson lived and worked at Aldworth House, Haslemere, for much of his later life dying there in 1892. The weekend’s events include a gala dinner, specialist lectures, an evening concert, choral matins and a peal of bells. In addition, the Haslemere Educational Museum are displaying two exhibitions during May to complement the weekend. We are also running a People's Poetry competition with the winners being announced by Michael Rosen on Friday 22nd May. This weekend forms part of the 2009 Haslemere Festival and is supported by Haslemere Town Council, the Haslemere Initiative and Waverley Borough Council.
Contact: The Haslemere Tennyson Weekend c/o 1a Causewayside High Street Haslemere Surrey GU27 2JZ Tel: +44 (0)1428 645 967 E-Mail: tennyson@haslemere.com Web links: http://www.haslemere.com/tennyson/
LINCOLN BOOK FESTIVAL 13 - 17 May 2009
The Lincoln Book Festival aims to celebrate books but also includes some other art forms that books initiate and inspire - comedy, film, performance and conversation. The festival aims to celebrate local, national and international writers and artists, historical and contemporary works of art as well as offering the public a chance to see both emerging and well-known writers and artists.
Contact: Sara Bullimore (Arts and Cultural Sector Officer) City of Lincoln Council Department of Development and Environmental Services City Hall Beaumont Fee Lincoln LN1 1DF Tel: +44 (0) 1522 873844 Fax: +44 (0)1522 873553 E-Mail: Sara.Bullimore@lincoln.gov.uk Web links: http://www.lincolnbookfestival.co.uk
PERTH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 21 – 31 May 2009
Mainly a music festival with a small literary content.
Contact: Sandra Ralston 3-5 High Street Perth PH1 5JS Tel: +44 (0)1738 475295 Fax: +44 (0)1738 475295 E-Mail: info@perthfestival.co.uk Web links: http://www.perthfestival.co.uk/
POETRY-NEXT-THE-SEA 8 - 10 May 2009
The festival is held on the quay at Wells-on-the-Sea, Norfolk. Among those offering readings, discussions and workshops in the past have been Blake Morrison, Matthew Hollis and more.
Contact: Susan Marshall Festival Office Whitestones The Buttlands Wells-next-the-Sea Norfolk NR23 1EZ Tel: +44 (0)1328 711813 Fax: +44 (0)1328 710915 E-Mail: enquiries@poetrynextthesea.com, suzy948@btinternet.com. Web links: http://www.poetry-next-the-sea.com/
SWALEDALE FESTIVAL Various offerings in Swaledale and the surrounding Dales 23 May - 6 June 2009
A general arts festival with some literature events such as literary workshops including the opportunity to write and perform Renga poetry.
Contact: Katharine Oldershaw (Festival Administrator) Hudson House High Row Reeth Richmond North Yorkshire DL11 6TB Tel: +44 (0)1748 880019 Fax: +44 (0)1748 880028 E-Mail: info@swaledale-festival.org.uk Web links: http://www.swaledale-festival.org.uk
SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE 4 - 16 May 2009
Comprises talks, readings, and question and answer sessions with authors, performers, and poets; plus writing workshops, discussions, storytelling, and a 'Performance Poetry Slam Competition'. Authors attending include the famous, the infamous, and the unknown.
Contact: Matt Holland (Festival Director) Lower Shaw Farm Shaw Swindon Wiltshire SN5 5PJ Tel: +44 (0)1793 771080 Fax: +44 (0)1793 771080 E-Mail: swindonlitfest@lowershawfarm.co.uk Web links: http://www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk
THE GUARDIAN HAY FESTIVAL 21 - 31 May 2009
One of the largest literary festivals in the UK. Past programme events and performances crossed literature with cabaret, cinema, circus, comedy, environment, film, music, politics, science, screenwriting and visual arts. Children's Festival Hay Fever runs alongside the Guardian Hay Festival every year.
Contact: Lyndy Cooke (General Manager) The Drill Hall 25 Lion Street Hay-on-Wye HR3 5AD Tel: +44 (0)1497 821 217 (admin)/+44 (0)1497 821 299 (Box Office) Fax: +44 (0)1497 821 066 E-Mail: admin@hayfestival.co.uk Web links: http://www.hayfestival.com
WORD - UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN WRITERS FESTIVAL King's College, University of Aberdeen and various other venues across Aberdeen 13 - 17 May 2009
Word attracts over 50 authors for a weekend of readings, lectures, debates, music, art exhibitions and film screenings. New festival developments include an extended Schools' and Children’s programme, and a Festival of Gaelic!
Contact: Fiona Reid (Festival Co-ordinator) University of Aberdeen Office of External Affairs University of Aberdeen King's College Aberdeen AB24 3FX Tel: +44 (0)1224 273726 Fax: +44 (0)1224 274433 E-Mail: Fiona Reid Web links: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/word
WORDFRINGE 1 - 31 May 2009 Various venues across Aberdeenshire
Wordfringe grew up around the University of Aberdeen’s 'Word' festival to provide a platform for more innovative events, as well as exposure for new and emerging local talent, but it is an independent festival in its own right, run by a partnership of writers, publishers, agencies, performing groups and writers’ groups in North-East Scotland.
Contact: Haworth Hodgkinson Festival Director: wordfringe Web links: http://www.wordfringe.co.uk/
WOMEN'S ARTS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL (Biennial) May 2010
The first ever Women's Arts International Festival will feature artists such as Marianne Faithfull, Patti Smith, Bettye Lavette, Sandie Shaw, Malika Booker, Jo Brand, Jackie Kay, Ali Smith, Lionel Shriver, Lucy Siegle, Joan As Police Woman, Marissa Nadler, Tina Keane, Stella Vine, Jasmin Vardimon and many, many more.
Tel: +44 (0)1539 725133 E-mail: stayintouch@breweryarts.co.uk Web links: www.womensartsinternational.co.uk
YOUNG READERS BIRMINGHAM All Birmingham Libraries, The Library Theatre and various art sites across the city May 2010 (tbc)
Young Readers Birmingham is an annual festival for children, young people and their families offering over 150 events, including a two- day 'Book Bash' at Aston Hall.
Contact: Gena Gaynor (Festival Organiser) Birmingham Central Library Children's Office Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3HQ Tel: +44 (0)121 303 3368 Fax: +44 (0)121 464 1004 E-Mail: Gena_Gaynor@birmingham.gov.uk Web links: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/youngreaders
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