Alrewas Arts Festival
A biennial community event
Find out how you can be involved or just come to say hi! Here are a few images for inspiration.
The mirror dress hat and clock have been created recently by Lou Hunwick who will be along on Sat 22nd. The scrap metal sculptures by Len Dumolo 40+ years ago.
The card and used tea lights....I'm sure we can reuse those...ideas??
Don't forget to bring a spare spoon to the Hall on 22nd - and maybe some uses tea light holders?
ITEMS TO SAVE.
Before you dispose of things think could they be used in some other way
Tin cans and lids, aluminium cans tabs, wire cutlery, lengths of pipe, nails, screws, bolts, washers, springs, cogs, hinges, old garage tools, old garden tools, kitchen equipment, pans, utensils, graters, colanders, coat hangers, corks, bottle tops, plastic bottle tops, metal and plastic bottles, milk cartons, curtain rings, wooden pegs, old jewellery, clock and watch bits, keys
Sewing items, cotton reels, bobbins old scissors, tweezers thimbles, tape measures
Small games pieces, puzzle pieces, keyboard letters
CDs, old paint brushes, shoe brushes, scrubbing brushes, ceramic bowls, small ornaments, stamps, tennis balls
Games equipment, bats, balls, racquets, bicycles parts, chains, car bits, tyres, cable drums, pallets
Containers for planting, teapots, shoes, boots, seeds, start propagating plants
Textiles, wool, buttons, ribbon, zips, socks, denim, wool blankets, clothing items to refashion, old pillows/stuffing
FEBRUARY 2023
We are sad and delighted....! Sad to hear that the Live and Local team have hung up their organiser badges and delighted to be one of 3 village groups to receive a donation from the closing balance of the funds. The group go back a long way! Way back before the Festival the team were choosing bands and entertainment from the Live and Local lists. A HUGE thanks to all of the organisers for bringing musical and performance joy to the village.
A word from the L and L team:
The Alrewas Live and Local team would like to thank villagers for their support at our events. We have heard some wonderful musicians over the years with a varied mix of jazz, world music, folk and many other genres. Unfortunately, we will not be holding any further performances and have disbanded our team. The closest village holding L&L shows is Yoxall. Details of L&L performances can be found at: https://www.liveandlocal.org.uk
JANUARY 2023
The beautiful glowing Festival tree in the churchyard will be taken down in early Feb - last chance to see it is last week in January - visit in the dark - its glorious!
Burns Night - done and was fabluous!
DECEMBER 2022
Pop along to the Churchyard from 5th December to check out our Festival Tree. The Theme is ....recycling!
FESTIVAL 2024
Would you like to be involved? There are lots of ways to do this. Many of you already help to make our Festivals exciting and vibrant. We’ll continue aiming to explore all aspects of Art; be that in the form of painting, crafts, sculpture, words, performances, exhibitions and music. I was stunned by the spread of expertise this year and the willingness of you to share knowledge, time, venues and humour. Long may it continue!
How to get involved:
Keep an eye open for my emails, sign up for them!
Volunteer to be part of a team working on specific areas of the Festival.
The Festival is run by volunteers on an organising committee and we welcome and value additional help at various stages of the Festival cycle. You don’t need to be on the committee itself to be involved.
We are certainly looking for people who are willing to help with logistics (that’s basically moving stuff, putting stuff up, taking it down etc!)
We’d love some more young folks to be involved too.
Do get in touch if you fancy helping and let me know what you might be able to offer.
Commitment varies, depending on the time within the Festival cycle.
FESTIVAL 22 WEEK
THURSDAY 25th
Some very lovely, talks and concerts and truly inspiring workshops this week. Your feedback is great! Thank you!
Here's the plan for Saturday evening on the Island
SATURDAY 27th AUGUST 6 till 11ish
Invitation to the good folk of Alrewas
WHAT It’s a free gentle evening of folk and acoustic joyful music to celebrate the close of the 2022 Festival for all the family. The music starts at 6 pm. A lovely line-up starting with Alrewas Choir and culminating with the Imposters and a DJ set for you to dance your wellies off! The Scouts will be cooking burgers and buns. Bring your garden games if you like. We’ll have some light sticks for you to pop on or in your beautiful willow lanterns. At dusk, we’ll process around the field.
WHERE Alrewas Island. I’ll post a map but I’m sure you know it.
WHO We’d especially love anyone and everyone who has attended, delivered workshops, events, talks and concerts, the organisers and valued volunteers.
HOW You can drop off your bits from 4 till 5 if you like. Just like last time on Walkfield, we’ll be setting up in the morning so it’s less safe to come then.
The important bits
o Dogs. No dogs on the Island at any time aside from guide dogs
o Area of the Island will be roped off. Stay within the open field area. No going into the Wild Wood!
o Come in sturdy shoes and a torch to help you navigate Statfold Lane when dark.
o First Aider Matt will be with us and and we also welcome our PCSO Tracey Horton.
o Parking. Just disabled parking and band folk with equipment.
o Look after your children, there’s water and things to trip over and the ground may be slippy
o No fires/sparking things/BBQ’s
WHAT WE ARE NOT
o Glastonbury or Glyndebourne
o A Fireworks and bonfire night - that’s November.
o A rave, nor do we have a bar
BRING Your tables, chairs, picnic grub, gazebos, picnic blankets. The scouts are providing their usual fabulous burgers and hot dogs too of course.
LINE UP
Pop up Jubilee Choir
Ukulele Massive
P(squared)
Simon
Lucy
Bryony
Lantern procession
The Imposters
DJ Pilgrim Jim
MONDAY 22nd
Blimey! What a stunning day. An incredibly pertinent talk from Phil offering evidence for speed limit dropping and the its positive impact. Kings Bromley choir were sublime! Evening in the Church? Over a hundred people came to Chris and Caits very lovely evening. With Bryony Thomas and Ian and Adrian of Ukulele Massive, the held us all spellbound! The workshops? Just great!
SUNDAY 21st!
All looking and feeling great!
What a fabulous day yesterday was. Thanks so much for joining us. The market was fab, and post office road was buzzing. Wow, Noreen worked wonders with catering ass did our splendid cafe. Relaxed and gentle, whole day.Lots of people catching up and beautiful music and dancing from Rykneld Rabble, Casual Clarinets and Ukulele Massive. We had the Walk with Lynn, the Talk with Dave, then the fun Ceilidh! Thank you so much to the volunteers and everyone who helped to make it a special day :-)
LEARN TO SING? This fabulous workshop is on Monday 10-12. Everyone can sing! It's fun and will get you started.
Check your programme and the Box Office for what else is available.
THURSDAY 18th
2 days to go!
As I type, the Festival Box Office and the Exhibitions are being set up. All looking grand!
Noreen from the Crown pub will be ready with bacon butties cakes, tea and coffee early on Saturday morning; then burgers and more later!
FOCUS ON POETRY
'You too can write a poem' (Sunday 7-9pm) Will focus on the thought processes behind writing a poem, exploring what you personally might want to write about, writing in the way you want to write it. Who knows, you might just enjoy it and feel liberated by it.
'A Life in Poetry' (Monday 2-4pm) Is an informal chat; a relaxed look at a few poems that capture situations and moments from all our lives, from childhood to old age. Poems in which you will probably recognise yourselves and your own experience. Lovely!
Copies of Berts 'JUST ASKING' will be available to buy in the Box Office. A lovely bit of relatable poetry.
FOCUS ON CHILDREN
Children's Adventure Trail (5 to 10 year olds)
Pick up your Trail leaflet from the Box Office, come back for your Festival Badge.
Ninos (0 to 4 year olds)
Ellie will be bringing her songs music rhymes stories and clowning to the Methodist Church on Thursday at 11am. A few places left. Contact the Box Office.
FOCUS ON TALKS
Check out the talks in your programme.Still some places. From fabulous advice for budding writers with Hector, considering our Carbon footprint with Dario, to speed limits and traffic planning with Phil. Don't forget, Dave Crumps talk is now on Saturday afternoon.
FESTIVAL SAUSAGE!
Yes, it has landed and it super tasty! Stilton and Asparagus. Head over to Coates to try it.
WEDNESDAY 17th Aug Updates:
Alrewas village goes Blue and White! Take a walk around the village and check out the installation. They'll make you smile!
Pick up the childrens trail quiz from the Box Office when it opens on saturday!
* Go Ukulele crazy Concert on Friday 26th is at 12 as noted in the programme. Some tickets may say a different time.
* The Family Film Fun Quiz on Monday 22nd is cancelled
TUESDAY 16th AUGUST
TIME CLARIFICATION. The POP-Up CHOIR workshop on Thursday 25th Starts at 10:30 , not 10 and marked on the Tickets
THURSDAY 25th
7.30 Round table debate Village Hall
Join us for a relaxed round table debate about the great arts and culture issues of our time. Freedom of speech! Wokism! Cancel culture! It’s a war out there and it’s time to pick a side. Here's a fab opportunity to discuss and debate with refreshments of your choice!
SATURDAY 27th
6 - late. FESTIVAL FINALE. NO TICKETS NEEDED! Alrewas Island
Music, Dance, Lanterns and Light Sticks, Fun and Food - bring your picnic! Full details later
Line up:
Choir -The Pop-up Choir
Ukulele Massive
Stanley and Bateman duo
Simon
Roy Cropper Surf Band
Bryony
LANTERN Possession at dusk
Lucy
Kelsie and her band
The Imposters
Pilgrim Jim DJ
SATURDAY 13th AUGUST
Banners are up! Break out your bunting to add to the fun.
Opening Day. Saturday 20th. Opening ceremony by Alrewas Ambassadors at 11am Crown Car Park.
40+ Craft Stalls. Buskers: Rykneld Rabble, Casual Clarinets, Ukulele Massive, from 11:15 until 4pm
FRIDAY 5th AUGUST *** NEW DROP-IN and NEW CONCERT! ***
DROP-IN Wednesday 24th August. 10-12
Come along to the Arts Cafe and meet Dr Susheela Burford, one of the local Finds Liaison Officers, who can help identify any small archaeological finds you may have uncovered. You can also have the opportunity to handle some real archaeological discoveries.
CONCERT Sunday 21st August. 4pm.
Rupert Feld will be offering a piano recital in the Methodist Church. A fabulous opportunity to hear Rupert's own compositions. Tickets are available now.
AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS
Go Ukulele Concert is Friday August 26th at 12noon NOT 1.30pm as stated on the ticket.
Improve Your Photography is Sunday 2pm to 3pm - incorrect time printed on ticket
Kings Bromley Choir is Monday 22nd 12.30pm to 1.30pm - incorrect information printed on ticket
Dave Crumps talk is now on Saturday 20th at 5pm
Scrabble and Sangria is a Workshop NOT a drop in, so you will need to book this.
Additional workshop. 'Flower Arranging' with Marlene Hibbert - Thursday August 25th - Alrewas Village Hall. Box office will advise what to bring
Wednesday Cupcakes for Kids – Cupcakes WILL be provided
Marzipan Fruits on Thursday . This workshop is CANCELLED
Vintage Pens, Wednesday 26th is CANCELLED
MONDAY 1st AUGUST
The Box Office Phone Line is now open from 10am to 1pm each day. 01283 684062. Phone only until Festival week
The Arts Cafe will be situated in Alrewas Methodist Church Hall during Festival Week
Opening Street Fayre in Post Office Road on 20th August
Finale Concert on Alrewas Island - NO BOOKING NECESSARY - Hosted by David Smeeton and headlining DJ Pilgrim Jim. Bring your willow lanterns, torches for the twilight procession; your dancing wellies, your gazebo's picnic tables and blankets!
THE FESTIVAL READ is: Wind in the Willows. Get reading! Write your comments on the Willow Branch in the Box Office
HUGE THANKS TO ALL OF OUR VENUES
All Festival events and activities are free and rely exclusively on the generous donation of premises, goods, expertise and importantly, time.
Each of your fabulous Festivals costs around £20,000 to stage - I know… that sounds a lot. It is! However, if you were to factor in time used pre and during Festival week, if we had to pay performers, venues, workshop leader, that figure would soar to eye watering proportions - which is why being ‘free’ is vital. Recognising the great worth of Arts Crafts Culture and Community that all of our village organisations provide is valuable and vital, and is what drives us all forward.
People donate what they can afford. Again, thank you.
During pre-Festival events and Festival week we take donations of cash in our lovely Festival Buckets - you’ll recognise them - Blue and White themed this year of course!
In our increasingly cashless world we know that peoples pockets and purses are now more likely to contain cards rather than coins or ‘folding money’. Umm, so how do we make this work in 2022? Good question!We will have some card readers in venues.
We encourage you to have some old fashioned cash to hand for the buckets.
You can donate anonymously or in glorious Technicolor via the website from May, or contact me or our treasurer Gerald Harrison (geraldeh2007@yahoo.co.uk)
Some people like to sponsor an event, workshop or performance. We love this! We pop your name in the programme unless you prefer not. Contact me or Gerald if this appeals.