By Ayesha Gilani
The countdown is on as we work towards the 10th anniversary of Lindfield Arts Festival! In just under eight weeks the village will be transformed into a creative hub, with a week-long programme of arts and entertainment for all. Look out for our festival programme, making its way to your front door later this month. In the meantime you can peruse the fantastic line-up of events on our website at www.lindfieldartsfestival.com. Tickets can be bought online or through our village box office at Kell & Collins on Denmans Lane. There are many free workshops and events to enjoy too! Join us from Monday 16th to Sunday 22nd September – it’s all waiting for you!
Award-winning Children’s Authors at LAF
Enjoy an incredible day of readings and workshops from award-winning, bestselling children’s authors at The Tiger Rooms, Lindfield High Street on Saturday 21st September. Meet the writers, listen to their stories and pick up signed copies of their beautiful books. Giles Paley-Phillips ‘Superchimp’ at 10am; Will Mabbit ‘I can only draw worms’ at 11am; M.G. Leonard ‘Beetle Boy’ series at 12pm; Creative Writing workshop for 11+ with Ruby Cooper at 1pm and Lizzy Stewart ‘There’s a Tiger in the Garden’ at 2pm.
BABY OPERA
O Mio Bambino Caro! Bring your little people to All Saints Church for an interactive musical adventure that offers a playful and creative first opera experience for 0-2 year-olds. Listen, sing and play with music by Debussy, Delibes and Monteverdi as well as familiar nursery rhymes and specially written songs. After the show there is a play session for everyone to enjoy. Baby opera takes place on Friday 20th September at 11am- 12.30pm and 2-3.30pm. Tickets cost £9 (one adult and one child).
The Music of Trees
Musician Geoff Robb was the winner of the 2018 Brighton Fringe Live Music Award for his solo show. His beautiful meditative compositions, inspired by the trees of Sussex, blend his training in jazz and classical guitar with his love of Spanish and Celtic music. He has performed all over the UK and Europe at venues including Buckingham Palace and Glastonbury Festival. If you love nature and enjoy beautiful guitar music then don’t miss this award-winning show on Wednesday 18th September. Tickets cost £7.50. Venue: All Saints Church.
Mind full or Mindful?
Discover the art of living well at this free one hour introduction to mindfulness. Ed Halliwell is one of the UK’s leading mindfulness instructors and writers. His workshop will give you a taste of some key practices by looking at what mindfulness is and how it can be beneficial. This free session takes place at The Bent Arms on Sunday 22nd September, 10.30-11.30am. Places are limited. Reserve your space via our website: www.lindfieldartsfestival.com
Festival Hog Roast & Live Music Finale
The Witch Inn plays host to an end of festival celebration on Sunday 22nd September. The festivities kick-off at 5.30pm with a hog roast and fresh salads @£7.50 per head. There will be live music in the bar, courtesy of local band The Vinyl Capris. Roisin Finlay, event organiser at The Witch, said: “Our chefs and front of house team are excited to be hosting the closing of the festival with great food and local tipples. Lindfield Arts Festival is a fantastic community event and we’re proud to be supporting it.” Please note this is a non-ticketed event with limited capacity. It’ll be first come, first served.
Studio Open House and Funky Frame Art Trail for LAF
Lindfield Art Studio will be opening its doors to Festivalgoers on Sunday 22nd September.
Visitors can enjoy an Art Café and DJ Set between 11am and 3pm. Home-made cakes and refreshments will be served in the Studio Garden and art will be on sale all day.
Exhibiting artists will be on hand to chat, and soft funk music will keep the atmosphere relaxed and chilled. The Open House will be running a raffle for an art gift from one of the artists at the studio and a free prosecco hour for adults to enjoy between 1pm and 2pm. Free workshops at 11.30am and 1.30pm too.
Leesa is also teaming up with other artists and Lindfield Life to create the Funky Frame Kids Art Trail on Saturday 21st September.
“Each frame will give participants a clue – collect all 14 clues, sort the puzzle and you could win an amazing art bundle of goodies to take away,” Leesa explained. There’s also an opportunity to send in selfie snaps to the magazine for an extra prize. Pick up your free pencil and map on the day from the studio.