The month of the summer festival is officially here! Although we might not be able to rely on sunny days we can be sure that August is jam packed with arts fests and activities to suit the oddest of tastes, the question is how to fit them all in? Do not fear Arts Hub have got it covered in this hand picked line up of Britain’s best fests.
One for the Literature lovers
Edinburgh International Book Festival
9 – 25 August
The Edinburgh International Book Festival (www.edbookfest.co.uk) proves it’s not only theatre and comedy worth celebrating in Edinburgh this summer. In it’s 25th anniversary year, with a record 800 authors participating, the festival boasts an even bigger line up of events including Hanif Kureshi, Steven Berkoff, Blur’s Alex James, Tariq Ali, Tony Parsons, Anne Enright, James Kelman, Raja Shehadeh, Will Self and Alexander Mcall Smith to name but a few. There are also special topics featured throughout the festival such as Focus on China, East and West and also a War and Terror series. Who needs the sun, sea and sand to enjoy a relaxing summer read when you can be inspired by all your favourite authors at the world’s largest public celebration of literature.
One for the Drama Queens
Lift Festival 2008
16 – 23 August
Lift Festival 2008 is a true celebration of the performing arts, featuring drama, dance through to circus acts and spoken word. Visit the Lift – the festival’s eco friendly, mobile venue – as it continually changes its look to house everything from large-scale performances to intimate screenings. You can also air you’re thoughts during their programme of talks, screenings and participatory events exploring issues such as climate change, migration, individual and collective freedoms regeneration and communities. Highlights include French contemporary circus K’boum, Ragroof Theatre and spoken-word by Apples and Snakes.
Lift Festival 2008 (www.liftfest.org.uk) will be landing in Shoreditch Park, London. Various events will be taking place in venues around the UK.
One for festival aficionados
Greenbelt Festival
22-25 August
This Cheltenham based festival looks set to be one for those – “who’ve been there done that” –as the Greenbelt Festival ( www.greenbelt.org.uk ) goes back to the basics (tents and lots of green grass) but offers a completely new experience. It is a music, part theatre, part discussion, part visual arts and film extravaganza. For all other events that cannot be as easily defined they are celebrated as unpigeonholeable, which includes a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with meerkats, pythons, tarantulas, lizards, parrots – even a skunk. Maybe not easy to define but it is outlook is all about celebrating love, creativity and justice in the arts and contemporary culture in the light of the Christian gospel. The line up includes Beth Rowley, The Matthew Herbert Big Band, Howe Gelb and Giant Sand, Daby Touré and Shlomo and also best-selling author Salley Vickers. It promises to be a fun loving experience.
One for the Fanatics
International Beatles Week Festival
20 – 26 August
The International Beatles Week Festival (www.liverpool08.com ) is the biggest Beatles celebration in the world, taking place in none other than, the birthplace of the band, need I say more. Beatles fans and music lovers can enjoy live entertainment together with a convention, art exhibitions, concerts, flea markets, guest appearances, interviews, autograph sessions, tours, gigs, and auction. Forget the tent and wellies, all you need is love!
One for Movie Buffs
Portobello Film Festival 2008
28 August to 14 September
Central to the festivities are -you guessed it- great films. This is an exclusive chance to see the cutting edge, exciting, cinematic gems of tomorrow, right now. Taking place within west London’s artistic community, Portobello Film Festival will premiere over 700 new films, features, shorts, documentaries, music films and animation from all over the world. A must see for all film fans.
Portobello Film Festival 2008 (www.portobellofilmfestival.com ) is showing at the Westbourne Studios, The Tabernacle and the Inn On The Green.
One for the Pic ‘n’ Mixers
Kilkenny Arts Festival 2008
8 -17 August
Celebrating 35 years, and attracting over 80,000 visitors every year the festival offers 10 days of artistic delights to suit everyone’s tastes. Bigger and better, this year sees an eclectic mix of theatre, music, literature, visual arts, children’s events and street performances featuring international, Irish and local artists. Reason’s to get into the festival feeling this summer include late night jazz and world music from around the globe, film presentations and live art installations.
Kilkenny Arts Festival (Link www.kilkennyarts.ie) takes place in venues all over Kilkenny City and County.
One for the party lovers
Notting Hill Carnival
23-25 August
Ok, it’s not strictly a festival by name but the Notting Hill Carnival
(www.nottinghillcarnival.biz ) displays city festivities at its best. Whilst celebrating its Caribbean roots the carnival features a diverse choice of music from calypso and steelbands, soca, reggae and jazz to dub african and house… basically anything with a party vibe. Dance the day away or just be mesmorized by the colours, costumes and cooking. It is, simply, one big street party for the people, Europe’s largest to be exact.
And last but not least, a few for the bargain hunters because there’s no such thing as too many FREE events!
Bournemouth Air Festival 2008
28 – 31 August
By the sea and completely free four day extravaganza. Bournemouth Air Festival 2008 (www.bournemouth.co.uk ) features Air and sea displays, fireworks, family attractions and live entertainment.
Trafalgar Square Festival 2008
7 – 23 August
Annual programme of street arts and performance, set in the very heart of the capital. This year the Trafalgar Square Festival ( www.london.gov.uk ) offers three weekends of Olympic themed fun in celebration of the up coming Olympic ‘handover’ on the 24th August.
Free Edinburgh Fringe Festival
31 July – 25 August
It’s all in the name. 2008’s Free Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Link www.laughinghorsecomedy.co.uk ) features a massive 157 free Comedy, Theatre, Music, Childrens and Art shows across eight Edinburgh venues.
Herne Bay Festival 2008
16 – 24 August
Herne Bay Festival (Link www.hernebayfestival.co.uk/ ) is a multi-arts community festival packed with family-friendly activities and entertainment. One to enjoy with the whole family, listen to live music and get involved in street performance, creative commissions, competitions, cultural treats and seaside frolics.
Watch This Space
4 July – 28 September
Arts festival displaying the playful side of London’s National Theatre. Watch This Space ( www.nationaltheatre.org.uk ) sees Southbank’s Theatre Square transformed into an outdoor stage for all that is utterly weird and wonderful. Includes a mix of theatre, music, cabaret, dance, film, circus and installations.
Creativity, good times and memorable moments are what the summers all about so enjoy some British festival fun this August. Enjoy!
