First week

If the drone of vuvuzelas or the din of roadworks are getting too much for you, sweeter sounds are available in the first week of Hebden Bridge Arts Festival.

Sponsors Kala Gallery are bringing the energetic rock-bhangra group Kissmet to dance the night away at the Trades Club on Saturday 26 June, and for those who prefer something less high-energy, the Bibby Piano Duo and award-winning actress Carole Boyd (whose voice will be familiar to many as Lynda Snell in The Archers), will present Infinite Riches, a performance of words and music at Heptonstall Church on Sunday 27 June.  

The week kicks off with a humourous look at ‘Milltown’ by John Morrison at aj’s Restaurant on Monday 28 June, followed by acoustic vocalist Michael Bassett appearing at the Hole in t’Wall as part of the Festival’s ‘Stay Up Later With…’series.

The Erringden Ensemble will appear at Heptonstall Church, playing chamber music by Haydn, Prokoviev and Borodin on Thursday 1 July and for jazz fans, the Roger Higgins Band will take to the stage with their southern swamp blues on Friday 2 July, in a show that also features jazz guitarist Gary Boyle.

Hebden Bridge Picture House events next week include Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Tom Wrigglesworth on Sunday 27 June and photographer Martin Parr on Tuesday 29 June.  There are still tickets available for both events.

For literature lovers who need an escape from the world of football, Louis de Bernières and Mavis Cheek will present an evening of warm, funny, intelligent words when they read, talk about their work and answer questions from the audience at St Michael’s Hall, Mytholmroyd on Wednesday 30 June.  And if the sight of so many England flags is becoming overwhelming, visit the Festival’s Artist in Residence Lucy May Schofield aboard the Festival Bus at Hole in t’Wall and take advantage of her Bibliotherapy Artist’s Book Library: a dose of art, literature and listening to soothe your woes!

Contact hbfestival@gmail.com for more information.

The Festival runs from June 26 to July 11 and is supported by Arts Council England, Yorkshire, Hebden Royd Town Council, Sweet & Maxwell and Kala Gallery.  The box office in Albert Street is now open and postal and online booking are also available. Visit www.hbaf.co.uk for the latest information. 

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