HAILSHAM is gearing up for a varied line-up of talented regional artists and a feast of music, dance, drama, literature and street entertainment as the town hosts the Hailsham Festival of Arts & Culture this month.
The festival, now entering its eighteenth successful year and one of the highlights of the town’s events calendar, attracts a cross-section of artists and performers from the Southeast and further afield and offers a wide variety of exhibitions and performances to suit all tastes.
SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER
Open Morning: Vicarage Field, BN27 1BJ. 10.00-13.30
Come along to Vicarage Fields in the centre of town and visit the weekly Saturday market.
The morning will include a presentation by Rising Stars Children’s Choir from Seaford, Face Painting with Lilipops and children’s crafts with Crafty Annie. The East Sussex School of Circus Arts be demonstrating their various skils and Hailsham FM will entertain us with music in between other activities.
Children’s Art Exhibition: Hailsham Library, BN27 3DN. 10.00-17.00
A free exhibition of art created by Hailsham school children. Winners of this year’s children’s art competition will also be announced on Sat 7th at 3.30pm.
Mayor’s Concert: Hailsham Parish Church, BN27 1BJ. 14.00-15.15
Join us for this free concert at Hailsham Parish Church where we will welcome the town’s Mayor, Hailsham Voices and guest soprano, Rosie Ann Page and trumpter, Andrew Baxter.
The Music of George Harrison LIVE!: Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE. 19.30
It is now more than half a century since the release of George Harrison’s magnum opus, the triple album All Things Must Pass. To celebrate this enduring treasure of 20th century music, frontman Alex Eberhard and guitarist Bernd Rest of the now legendary All Things Must Pass Orchestra (who have been playing annual sell-out shows at Henley’s Kenton Theatre) are touring a programme with a special focus on this era-defining album. The show consists of a fascinating selection of songs mainly drawn from All Things Must Pass (such as If Not For You, Isn’t It A Pity, and the anthemic My Sweet Lord), but will also feature other material from Harrison’s incredibly diverse musical output, such as the celebrated masterpieces Something, Here Comes The Sun and All Those Years Ago.
Art Trail – Sat 7th to Sun 22nd Sept Various venues.
The Art and Discovery Trail has always been a major part of the Hailsham Festival. This year the Hailsham Artists Network and friends invite you to come out and visit artists and makers once again at various different venues in Hailsham and surrounding areas.
SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
Singalong – Grease!: Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE. 14.00
Join Hailsham FM for this year’s sing-a-long – The classic film with on-screen lyrics so everyone can join in. It’s the one that you want!
MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER
Downland Poets: Hailsham Parish Church (lounge). 14.30-16.30
A free informal hour or so of shared poetry, both profound and amusing, After a break, an “open mic” chance to share or listen. Light refreshments.
TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER
Animazing in Lights: St Mary’s Walk. 19.00-20.30
Join musical duo Milton Hide for an evening of original song with help from children of Grovelands School. Exhibition of local history and a chance to share your own stories.
WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
Your Stories In Song: Grovelands School, BN27 3UW. 18.00-20.00
THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
An Evening of Burlesque: White Hart, Horsebridge, BN27 4DJ. 19.30
Get ready for a night filled with tease and tassels as the BodiBlossom Bella’s bring you Burlesque Revolution! There will be giveaways, glitz and glamour! So grab your friends, put on your best outfit, and join us for a night of fun and laughter. Be ready to expect the unexpected!
FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
Quiz: White Hart, Horsebridge, BN27 4DJ. 19.30
A traditional quiz arranged by the Hailsham Community Land Trust with quiz-master, Neil Povey.
Carnaval: Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE. 19.30
This recital focuses on Schumann’s riotously imaginative Carnaval, illustrated on the big screen. Other piano favourites include Beethoven’s famous Moonlight Sonata and Bach’s Italian Concerto.
SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
Open Morning: Vicarage Field, BN27 1BJ. 10.00-13.30
Come along to Vicarage Fields in the centre of town and visit the weekly Saturday market. There will be entertainment including a dance presentation with Steps Dance, a return visit of Long Man Morris children’s crafts and children’s face painting with Lillipops.
Animazing in Lights: St Mary’s Walk. 19.00-20.30
St. Mary’s Walk, in the centre of Hailsham, will be lit up by over 2,000 computer-controlled lights for a free music and light show.
Picasso – his life and loves: Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE. 19.30
Picasso, his life and loves, a Flamenco biography, created by Helena “La Leyenda” (Sadlers Wells, BBC TV, Ch 4 ) and features an international company.
TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER
Banoffi Pie and Other Adventures: The Laurel, BN27 1AD. 15.00
How Banoffi Pie came from a small restaurant in Sussex to become world famous. Ian is a local chef and restaurateur who has lived and worked in East Sussex for most of his life. He is well known for his part in the creation of the dessert, Banoffi Pie
Festival Film – blur:to the end: Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE. 19.30-21.30
A new feature-length documentary depicting the extraordinary and emotional return of blur, captured during the year in which they made a surprise return with their first record in 8 years, the critically acclaimed No.1 album ‘The Ballad of Darren’.
WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER
Creative Writing awards: Callenders, BN27 1AU. 15.00
The winners of this years Creative Writing Awards will be announced at Callenders Restaurant at 3.00pm, on Wednesday 18th September. Monetary prizes will be given and the overall winner will receive the Pam Turner Cup, previously awarded by Wealden Writers.
Oh! We do like to be beside the seaside: Charles Hunt Centre, BN27 1BG. 19.30
A light-hearted look at seaside entertainment over the years including our East Sussex coast. From bathing machines to end of pier shows, ‘What the Butler Saw’ and other traditions.
THURSDAY 19 SEPTEMBER
Animazing in Lights: St Mary’s Walk. 19.00-20.30
St. Mary’s Walk, in the centre of Hailsham, will be lit up by over 2,000 computer-controlled lights for a free music and light show.
Hailsham Theatres – Party Piece: Summerheath Hall, BN27 3DR. 19.30
A fast-paced and very funny play set in the back gardens of feuding neighbours. It is the night of Michael’s and Roma’s fancy dress house-warming party.
Murder Mystery Supper: King’s Head, Horsebridge, BN27 4DL. 19.30
Carry On Meets Christie as there’s been a murder in the sleepy little Cornish village of Morlington Hill during the 1930’s and the police have drawn a blank on apprehending the villain!
FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER
Festival Film – LEE: Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE. 19.30
A special screening of the movie ‘LEE’. Her son and biographer Antony Penrose will both introduce the film and answer questions afterwards.
Hailsham Theatres – Party Piece: Summerheath Hall, BN27 3DR. 19.30
A fast-paced and very funny play set in the back gardens of feuding neighbours. It is the night of Michael’s and Roma’s fancy dress house-warming party.
SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER
Nostalgia Fair: Cattle Market Site, BN27 2AQ. 11.00-16.00
The Nostalgia Fair returns. 11.00am – 4.00pm on the Hailsham Cattle Market site. Free entry
Animazing in Lights: St Mary’s Walk. 19.00-20.30
St. Mary’s Walk, in the centre of Hailsham, will be lit up by over 2,000 computer-controlled lights for a free music and light show.
Hailsham Theatres – Party Piece: Summerheath Hall, BN27 3DR. 14.30 & 19.30
A fast-paced and very funny play set in the back gardens of feuding neighbours. It is the night of Michael’s and Roma’s fancy dress house-warming party.
The Madness of George lll: Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE. 19.30
Alan Bennett’s award-winning play, known to many as the 1994 film starring Nigel Hawthorne.
SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER
The Madness of George lll: Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE. 14.30
Alan Bennett’s award-winning play, known to many as the 1994 film starring Nigel Hawthorne.
Art Trail – Sat 7th to Sun 22nd Sept Various venues.
Visit the festival website to see all of the other festival events at hailshamfestival.co.uk
