A drop in temperatures, a shower or two of rain, and it's staring to feel like summer is over already (and I still haven't been on holiday). I'm not ready to get out winter woollies and start Christmas shopping yet, though. September and October can have glorious weather, and festival season hasn't quite come to an end yet. With that in mind, I've been looking around, both locally and further afield, at what's happening in the next few months ...
Originally this was going to be one post but I've decided to split it into two - home and away. Firstly because of the number of exciting things I've found going on (far too many for one post), and secondly because 'at home' I don't need to worry about events being dog-friendly (he can stay home alone for a few hours with no worries), whereas for a weekend away I'd rather take him along.
So you'll find dog-friendly festivals here, but lets begin with festivals happening round about Derby ... links will take you off to the individual festivals' sites.
First up is Wirksworth Festival which runs from 7th to 23rd September. It opens with a weekend in which the whole town becomes a festival site. An art and architecture trail leads to displays of art in unconventional settings. There'll be a wide range of art from painting, print-making, and photography to ceramics, jewellery and textiles; you can meet the maker, buy original art, and get a glimpse behind doors which are normally closed to the public.
Meanwhile, on the streets and in the market place there'll be music, food, family activities, and street theatre.
Over the following couple of weeks the festival continues with events taking place in the Town Hall, and, like any self-respecting festival, there's a wide-ranging series of 'fringe' events running alongside. There'll be music ranging from the Climax Blues Band to Verdi's Requiem, puppetry, theatre, and performance poetry from Elvis McGonagall.It's a festival I've always intended visiting but coming just at 'back to school' time, I never have. This year I intend to visit, if only for one day!
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| metal sculpture David Turner |
Unfortunately this clashes with another festival (see how busy the local arts scene is!) - as for two days, 15th and 16th September, the quiet town of Melbourne (Derbyshire, not Australia) becomes host to its own Art and Architecture Trail, with houses, shops, and businesses opening their doors to the public, hosting artists and their works. You'll find paintings, ceramics, jewellery, photography and more. All for sale, and in most cases you can meet the artist, chat or perhaps catch a demonstration. The buildings that are opened are of historical interest in themselves, hence the 'architecture' part of the trail. Buy a badge and a leaflet of the trail and off you go!
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| poppy-making |
Each year the festival has a theme or special project - and this year hand sewn and knitted poppies will be decorating the town commemorating lives lost in WW1.
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| abstract expressionism Heidi Best |
Alongside this there'll be a teddy bears' picnic for younger visitors, live music in three marquees, pop-up cafes, and a classic car rally. Something for everyone!
You can find more on their website here, and I'd highly recommend checking the Gallery page for details of artists exhibiting over the weekend, meanwhile here are a couple of examples from Heidi Best and David Turner.
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| Elvaston Hall photo credit - Derbyshire County Council |
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| photo credit Derbyshire County Council |
As you might guess from the name, it will be focusing on woodland-related activities, with a wide range of crafts on display - wood carving and turning, furniture, bushcraft, willow weaving and sculpture - plus children's activities, wide variety of food stalls, birds of prey and shire horses. Also, there'll be an appearance by the Vikings of Middle England with a living history encampment, and Arbor, the 18ft part-tree, part-man!
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| photo credit, Derbyshire County Council |
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| Photo credit Derbyshire county Council |
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| Circa Tsuica |
For over ten years Derby Feste has been brightening up the city centre in late September with a weekend of entertainment. This year it runs 27th to 29th September and will be celebrating 250 years of circus. From Thursday, Circa Tsuica will be pitched on Bass' Recreation Ground with several performances each day. On Friday evening there'll be 50s style sideshows and a Virtual Reality Playground in the Marketplace.
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| Compagnie Quidams FierS a Cheval |
Saturday starts with a circus procession through town, followed by free events taking place throughout the day, and a parade of super-sized illuminated horses through the city's Cathedral Quarter in the evening, followed by a light show in the Marketplace to celebrate ten years of the Quad film and arts centre.
4-7th October is Folk Festival time for Derby, with musical events taking place at the Guildhall, the Cathedral, and City Marquee. Alongside these there'll be an arts and crafts fair on the Market Place, fringe events at the old Bell Hotel - and a flashmob ceilidh, free for anyone to join in.
Over to Nottingham to round things off, with Hockley Hustle, held on Sunday, 28th October in Nottingham.
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| Nottingham cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason |
It's an arts and community event, working with local promoters and creative groups, and raising money for local charities. There'll be music, art, food, and street performances, with over 300 acts performing at more than 30 venues - the organisers suggest you book the Monday off work! I can't get to Edinburgh Fringe this year, but it looks like someone brought it to me :)
Children aren't forgotten as there are special events and classes for 'Young Hustlers' - ranging from a silent disco to learning how to beatbox or DJ, and even how to improve your graffiti skills!
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| Hackney Colliery Band playing in the Spiegeltent |
It's the furthest off of these events (over two months), and it's a little early for everything to be organised and ready to announce, so I'll be watching their FB page in the coming months for further details.
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| Harleighblu and Liam Bailey with The UFO Orchestra |
If I get to half these events I'll have had the busiest autumn ever! And then it WILL be time for warm sweaters, winter boots and Christmas shopping :)
These are all exceptional festivals which I would love to attend, Mary! Thanks for causing the travel bug to itch me. I'd especially love to witness the Derby Feste.
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