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An international music and arts festival staged in Kent has already seen great demand for its shows as it steps forward post-pandemic.
Some of The Deal Festival's shows are already sold out ahead of its opening tomorrow (July 1) but the programme remains the same and is a packed one.
Chairman of organising body Deal Music and Arts Christopher Cook said: "We feel we have an obligation to the community who support the festival and to the artists who are part of it and who have had such a bleak time these past months."
In usual form there will be events staged across Deal and Sandwich, inside and outside ranging from concerts, recitals, musical theatre, and outdoor celebrations, walks and a play.
Instead of the usual 380 seats available at the biggest venue St George's Church, just 75 audience members are allowed.
A statement from the arts body said: "That will inevitably cause disappointment but there are still tickets available for some evening and lunchtime concerts, theatre in Walmer Castle Gardens, talks and free entertainment on the Community Stage on Saturdays during the festival."
On Saturday, July 3, there’s a community stage at St George's Church singing a celebratory party of music for all.
This is a free event for all the family and can be heard by passers by in the High Street between 10am and 3pm.
Also on Saturday is a joyful evening of jazz from the NYJO Jazz Exchange (JX), bringing together emerging talent from across the UK, followed by The Printmakers – vocalist Norma Winstone, pianist Nikki Iles and an ensemble from NYJO, (National Youth Jazz Orchestra) in a programme of pieces by artists from Steve Swallow and Ralph Towner to dreamy Joni Mitchell re-imaginings.
On Monday, July 5 BBC broadcaster and music writer Christopher Cook gives the first of his talks. This one, entitled introducing Beethoven Sonatas for Piano and Violin, is at 3pm at the Astor Theatre.
The music detailed in the talk will be performed that night by Michael Foyle and Maksim Štšura at 8pm at St George's Church, and from 7.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday July 7 and 8.
On Tuesday, July 6, Kent-based Changeling Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream as a ‘gothic fantasy meets RuPaul’s Drag Race’ in the sylvan setting of Walmer Castle Gardens.
On Wednesday, July 7 Cook's talks continue with Sister and Brother in Music - Fanny and Felix Mandelssohn on Wednesday, July 7 at 11am in The Astor.
At 1pm, award-winning Lithuanian pianist Rokas Valuntonis performs Schumann Kinderszenen op. 15, Fanny Mendelssohn Melody No 2 Op 4 and Chopin Four Ballades at St George's Church.
On Thursday, July 8 Polaris Due take to the stage at St Clement's Church, Sandwich at 1pm.
Consisting of saxophonist Gillian Blair and harpist Elinor Nicholson they will perform pieces such as CPE Bach Sonata in G minor, Tchaikovsky Lenski’s Aria from Eugene Onegin and Andy Scott Sonata for Saxophone and Harp.
On Friday, July 9, arguably the world’s foremost baroque violinist, Rachel Podger performs at St Mary's Arts Centre in Strand Street, Sandwich from 7.70pm.
The soloist and engaging presenter will perform dazzling and virtuoso works for solo violin. The programme will include works by Bach, Tartini, Biber and Matteis.
On Saturday, July 10, St George's Church in Deal hosts A Tribute to Philip Jones by the Bold As Brass Quintet at 7.30pm.
On Sunday, July 11, author and narrator Jessica Duchen combines with harpsichord player Steven Devine to tell the story of J.S. Bach's wife at St George's Church at 7.30pm.
Entitled Being Mrs Bach, the show tells the story of gifted singer Anna Magdalena Wilcke who, at 20, marries the a composer and takes on the roles of stepmother, mother, copyist, manager and more.
On Monday, July 12, The story of suffragist and composer Dame Ethel Smyth is told in musical theatre by Lucy Stevens and Elizabeth Marcus at St George's Church at 7.30pm.
On Wednesday, July 14 in Deal The History Project leads a leisurely stroll around the town to discuss Deal’s Female Figures. Meet at the entrance to the pier at 10.30am.
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For more entertainments news across Kent click here.
