Coming up at week two of Canterbury Festival 2021
Circus, family events, music, gaming and more!
With Canterbury Festival 2021 well under way, it’s time to take a look at what week two of the Festival has in store. From a pair of time travelling musicians to a conversation with The Dogfather, you don’t want to miss out!
The weekend begins with the Beautiful Noise Community Celebration on Saturday 23 October – a day packed full of live music from East Kent choirs, schools and musicians. From 11am – 5pm performances will take place at Dane John Gardens, Longmarket Shopping Centre, Whitefriars Shopping Centre, St Peter’s Methodist Church and Hall and Westgate Hall. All events are free and no booking is required. Groups include Rock Choir, The Lemon Zingers, the Kent College Choristers, Canterbury Academy, Snowdown Male Voice Choir and many more. Visit canterburyfestival.co.uk to download the full programme.
Canterbury Festival kicks of half-term with a week of family filled fun at The Westgate Hall from Monday 25 – Friday 29 October. Join Mr Pineapple Head, a delightful and funny clown show that combines a good old fashioned children’s entertainer with modern visual comedy. If stand-up comedy excites you (without the rude bits!), why not bring the family along to Comedy Club 4 Kids. Javier Jarquin returns for a flurry of high-flying card stunts. And, to end the week of family fun Matt Barnard’s Instant Circus gives a show to inspire any future ringmasters. Taking place in the afternoon there’s plenty of reason to have a family day out at Canterbury Festival 2021.
Following up an excellent week of theatre performances, week two of the Festival does not disappoint. Kent’s community performing arts company the Really Promising Company present The Parting Glass (24 Oct), celebrating the life and musical talent of Mark Dougherty. If history is your forte, you won’t want to miss Liz Grand’s performance of Mrs. Churchill – My Life with Winston (26 Oct). Join Fast rising UK based contemporary circus company Lost in Translation for The Hogwallops (26,27 Oct) at The Malthouse. This colourful, loud and funny show comes to Canterbury Festival for two nights and is perfect for all the family. Laughs await at the Festival’s annual Comedy Club (27 Oct). Enjoy a night of stand-up comedy, performed by some of the best comedians on the UK circuit. Playdate/Westgate (24 Oct) invites all gamers to the Festival’s first ever gaming show. Featuring a talk by gaming lecturer, Dr. Alan Meades as well as a performance of your favourite gaming soundtracks and some awesome games, this is sure to be a blast. If you love a raucous show packed full of comedy, theatre and more then don’t miss, Marlene’s Cabaret Cocktail (28,29 Oct) guaranteeing a night of thrills, spills and belly laughs.
It wouldn’t be Canterbury Festival without a range of informative and exciting talks. Dog lovers can join Graeme Hall (25 Oct), AKA The Dogfather. While foodies can listen in as Grace Dent (27 Oct), reflects on a life in the food world. The incredible Lucy Lewis (26 Oct) reveals the hidden world of bomb disposal training and how she came to be the UK's first female bomb disposal expert. Antiques Roadshow legend Lennox Cato (28 Oct) shares stories from his life and work. Alternatively join Timothy Brittain-Catlin (29 Oct) who explores the unusual way in which Edwardian architects looked at and worked with historical buildings.
There’s lots of music to enjoy – from experimental audio-visual projects to choral extravaganzas. Featuring music by Richard Navarro, Dreamsailors (24 Oct) invites you to their spellbinding show, Tingbao. A true champion of English Music, songwriter, composer, raconteur, thinker, musician, and outstanding singer Chris Wood (25Oct) performs at this year’s Festival. If the twang of a ukulele mixed with opera peaks your interest, you’ll want to grab a seat for OperaMANIA (26 Oct). The best big band singer in the UK, Matt Ford will be captivating audiences as the week progresses wit support from the Chris Ingham Trio. As the festival comes to and end Hamish Stuart and Friends (30 Oct) give an unforgettable performance. While Canterbury Choral Society perform Mozart Mass in C minor, K.427 (30 Oct).
With such a wide catalogue to choose from, this year’s Canterbury Festival aims to blow audiences away – don’t miss it! For more information and booking visit canterburyfestival.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01227 457568.
Saturday 16 October – Saturday 30 October
