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New Chairman appointed at King's Lynn Festival

Meet Leon McCarron

Our offices are moving

A poem for the Festival

Audience Feedback 2023

2023 Festival about to begin...

Half price tickets for under 25's

Tickets on sale to the public from Monday 8 May

Full programme for 2023 Festival announced

A tribute to Mary Roche

2023 Festival highlights announced

Cellist, Maxim Calver visits Eastgate Academy Primary School

Spring series of Coffee Concerts

Audience Feedback 2022

Festival events on Tuesday 19 July - venue change

Due to the extreme heat forecast on Tuesday 19 July, all festival events that day will now take place at King's Lynn Corn Exchange, which benefits from air con.

Book Giveaway: Latitude

Win a signed copy of Nick Crane's Lattitude: The Astonishing Adventure that Saved the World

Time Machine King's Lynn release film about the Festival

2022 Festival highlights and priority booking information announced

Update on Covid safety measures

Film: A Glorious Festival Town now available on YouTube

Trustees Needed

Latest Update on 2021 Festival events

Audience Feedback

Update on 2021 Festival events

Festival Service: Cancelled

Summer series of online cocktail concerts announced

King’s Lynn Festival awarded grant from Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

Kickstart Scheme: Communications and Events Intern vacancy

A message about the 2021 King’s Lynn Festival from chairman, Alison Croose

The King’s Lynn Festival team has been busy planning and programming the 2021 Festival to ensure we can go ahead this year, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.  This will mean that the Festival, which will take place from July 18-31, will not feature as many performances as usual, but one thing is certain – the quality of the events will be the usual very high standard  

Most concerts will be staged in three Lynn churches – the Minster, St Nicholas’ Chapel and All Saints – which are spacious and airy and lend themselves well to social-distancing and have provided the setting for festival concerts throughout the event’s 70-year history. The Corn Exchange currently has a key role as a vaccination centre this summer but St George’s Guildhall, the building at the heart of the festival, will be available for performances. 

One key feature of what would have been the 70th Festival last year – the 70th Festival exhibition – will be shown at the Fermoy Gallery and the Red Barn in the Courtyard of St George’s Guildhall. It is expected to be open to visitors for at least three weeks in July and August. The retrospective will reflect on the many outstanding exhibitions staged over the Festival’s seven decades.

One fascinating highlight of the exhibition will be a display of photographs of many of the famous personalities who featured in early festivals. The photos hung on the staircase in the Guildhall for many years but have recently been restored and reframed. 

As planning for the festival has been delayed by the pandemic, the brochure with details of the programme of events will appear later than usual.

The festival board is very appreciative of its many sponsors, patrons and friends whose support enables the festival to maintain its tradition of excellence. 

Alison Croose

You may like to learn more about the wide range of activity King’s Lynn Festival has been involved in during the past year, in the attached report 
King’s Lynn Festival Annual Review Aug 2019 to Aug 2020

Popular Pianist returns for next online concert

Pianist Dominic Degavino will feature in the next King’s Lynn Festival’s streamed Cocktail Concerts which will be released on Thursday (Jan 28) at 6pm.

The rising star won many admirers when he presented the first concert of the series last autumn.  Degavino’s latest programme, Preludes and Interludes, was filmed at Lynn Town Hall. It includes music by Brahms and Debussy.

Dominic Degavino has performed at the Wigmore Hall, and Lichfield and Edinburgh Festivals and enjoyed considerable competition success.

He won many admirers when he performed the first of the festival’s free streamed Cocktail Concerts in November, which has clocked up more than 750 views on YouTube so far.

The concert can be enjoyed on the festival website – www.kingslynnfestival.org.uk where the previous Cocktail Concerts are still available, and on the Festival's YouTube channel.

Online Concert Series Announced

We cannot stage our popular coffee concerts in the current circumstances, but we hope you can still enjoy top-class performances which are the hallmark of Lynn Festival with our 6pm Cocktail Concerts. The series of concerts filmed in three of Lynn’s beautiful historic buildings will be streamed online through the winter months via our website, for free, and there is no need to book or register, just press play and enjoy:

6pm Thursday 19 November 2020:
Dominic Degavino “Marvellous Miniatures”
In this short concert, one of Scarlatti’s brilliantly original sonatas is contrasted with the first of Beethoven’s Op.33 Bagatelles and Gershwin’s rarely heard Preludes.

6pm Thursday 10 December 2020:
Alison Crum and Roy Marks “A Spagna in the Works”
Celebrated viol virtuoso, Alison Crum and lutenist, Roy Marks perform a programme based around the famous 15^th century bassadanza “La Spagna” which was a popular cantus firmus during the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

6pm Thursday 7 January 2021:
Kate Semmens and Steven Devine “To The Moon”
Three of Schubert’s evocative songs linking the natural world, young love and moonlit mysteries.

6pm Thursday 28 January 2021:
Dominic Degavino “Preludes and Interludes”
With Bach transcribed by Siloti, Brahms at his most lyrical and Debussy describing a submerged cathedral, this is just the best of romantic piano music.

6pm Thursday 18 February 2021:
Alison Crum and Roy Marks “A Ground in the Air”
Fascinating variations and dances on popular ground basses from sixteenth century Spain and Italy for different viols and the lute.

6pm Thursday 11 March 2021:
Devine Music Piano Trio “Gypsy Rondo”
Steven Devine’s Piano Trio and Haydn in Hungarian mode bring, with much humour, this series of online concerts to a conclusion.

We hope you will enjoy listening and watching and will see us at the King’s Lynn Festival in these venues again soon.

Festival plans virtual concerts

King’s Lynn Festival will not be able to stage any concerts this autumn, as had been hoped, because of social distancing regulations.

The Festival board has instead arranged for some recitals to be staged and recorded without audiences in three established festival venues in Lynn – The Minster, All Saints Church and the Town Hall – during October. They will be streamed later this year and early next year.

Plans to stage the 70th King’s Lynn Festival Exhibition next month have also been postponed in favour of it being held at the Fermoy Gallery and Red Barn at King Street next spring.

The Festival's ongoing success has helped establish King's Lynn as a Festival Town, and is especially known for bringing new compositions to audiences as part of its broad programme of music and arts.

Celebrate VJ Day 75 - Commemorate at Home

We are joining lots of local organisations to mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of Victory over Japan Day, on Saturday 15 August 2020, safely at home in west Norfolk.

Stories of Lynn and the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, have been working with local organisations including King’s Lynn Festival, Norfolk Museums Service and King’s Lynn & District RAFA, to put together a range of activities that enable people to commemorate this historic occasion, within the constraints of the current social distancing guidelines.

Cllr Elizabeth Nockolds, Deputy Leader of the borough council and Cabinet Member for Culture Heritage and Health, said: “Our virtual VE Day proved popular back in May, nearly 3000 residents interacted with us through social media channels on the day and many more accessed our range of tools and activities through the Stories of Lynn website.

“I urge residents to mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of VJ Day, the end of World War II, by logging on again. There’s lots for all ages to try.”

A keepsake booklet included in Your Local Paper and the Lynn News contains details about VJ Day and a space on the back for people to write their reflections and remembrance about VJ Day and recent events. Origami peace cranes and Burma Stars will also be included in a special supplement for those who do not have internet access or printers.

The web pages provide more about the history of the day, as well as recommended music from King’s Lynn Festival, downloadable games from the era for the family to play, and a special 1940s performance from Norfolk artist Sarah Mai.

Maj (Ret’d) Gary Walker MBE TD VR, Secretary of King's Lynn District RAFA, said: "As Secretary of the local Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association, I was keen that we commemorate the 75th anniversary of VJ Day. As we, disappointingly, can’t hold public events due to social distancing rules, this is the next best thing.

“I hope people will tune in to the wreath laying and 2-minute silence that will be broadcast on the borough council YouTube channel on the day and encourage participation in our virtual VJ Day commemorations. The website gives you the chance to learn about the importance of this day and to discover and remember our heroes of yesteryear."

Rachael Williams, Learning and Engagement Officer at Stories of Lynn, added: “There’s a range of activities to try online. I’m looking forward to receiving lots of origami cranes including wishes for peace that can be displayed in our “swoop of cranes” inside Stories of Lynn. They will then be sent on to our colleagues at Ancient House Museum in Thetford to be part of their VJ Day installation of, hopefully, 1000 cranes. I also look forward to receiving Burma Stars for us to display as part of a wishes installation in Stories of Lynn”

The Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Cllr Geoff Hipperson, has included a video message on the website, he said: “VJ Day, the victory by the army that is sometimes known as The Forgotten Army. I trust that the members of that army will never be forgotten, particularly in East Anglia with the involvement of the Royal Norfolk Regiment.

“By the time these veterans were reunited with their families, celebrations marking the end of WWII had passed and communities were looking to rebuild their future.

“We must honour and respect the memory of The Forgotten Army and, in doing so, hopefully learn from the past.”

The VJ Day website will go live on Wednesday 12 August 2020 at storiesoflynn.co.uk/vjday, further activity will be included on the borough council and Stories of Lynn social media channels. The VJ Day service, including 2 minute silence at 11am, will be broadcast live on the borough council YouTube channel on VJ Day.

Celebrating our 70th Anniversary...

For the first time since 1951, we were heart-broken at having to cancel the 2020 Festival due to Covid-19, after so many months of planning.  Whilst we were unable to hold live performances for our 70^th Festival, we were determined not to allow this momentous anniversary to go unmarked.  Many past Festival’s performers including Craig Ogden, Tasmin Little, Emma Johnson and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra joined in a virtual celebration which is available to view online at   https://70.kingslynnfestival.org.uk/ .  The 30-minute film features personal messages and exclusive performances from some of the country’s finest performers.

Lady Dannatt, Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk described King’s Lynn Festival as “a greatly cherished and successful organisation” and sent good wishes to the “incredible  volunteers who strive to make the festival the wonderful success it is.  I loved the stunning celebratory link – an inspired idea, beautifully orchestrated.”

The film has been viewed by people across the globe and Lady Dannatt was not alone in her praise of the film.  The following messages were among those sent by festival supporters, from all over Norfolk and beyond, immediately after the 70th festival film went live.

“Thank you for a very enjoyable and festival affirming programme. Good to see the heart-warming messages and how much our performers enjoy visiting King’s Lynn and our superb festival”.

“Thank you for putting the celebration together. It certainly made me realise how lucky we are to have such a wonderful festival in King’s Lynn and how sad we can’t celebrate this year.”

“What a well put-together and lovely celebration, with some super bits of music and heart-felt best wishes”

“It brought a real smile of pleasure to remind us of what we all love.”

“Thank you for the 70^th celebration. We enjoyed it. It made us so sorry to be missing it this year but sure it will bounce back next year.”

“Congratulations. It was very good and deserves wide circulation. We need to be reminded of what we are missing and hopefully it will be a spur to people to be extra-supportive next year.”

“What a delightful 70^th birthday tribute for the festival. Well done to everyone involved”.

Please feel free to share the link https://70.kingslynnfestival.org.uk/ with friends and on social media to help spread the world about our world-class Festival based in the heart of West Norfolk.

Celebrate Virtual VE Day 75 safely at home

We are delighted to be involved in a new initiative by the Borough Council of West Norfolk to help us all celebrate VE Day. Whilst all the national VE Day celebrations are delayed until VJ Day in August, plans are underway in West Norfolk to enable people to celebrate the anniversary of Victory in Europe safely in their own homes on 8 May 2020. 

A programme of activities has been put together, adjusting those that would have taken place in the Town Hall and around the town centre, so that people can still enjoy them, without leaving their homes.

Stories of Lynn and the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, working with local organisations including True's Yard, Festival Too, King's Lynn Festival, Norfolk Museums Service, the Noise and Chance School of Dance, Major Swing and King's Lynn & District RAFA, have come up with a range of activities that enable people to commemorate and celebrate this historic occasion, within the constraints of the current social distancing guidelines.

Activities online include making table decorations from recycled materials, making paper hats, bunting and flags, baking a 1940’s recipe, plane spotting with an ARP Warden’s chart, taking a 1940’s dance class, and of course having a party in your house or garden.  The country will raise a teacup or glass at 3pm to toast the heroes – both then and now during this current crisis.  

True’s Yard have produced a gallery of archive images from the time, and people can tune into Zoom for a talk about Norfolk airfields.

There will be a video of food historian Kathy Hipperson, cooking the winning 1940's recipe so people can cook along, or pick another recipe to produce for their party.

The Festival will be sharing online a film clip of Dame Myra Hess who gave many free lunchtime concerts in London’s National Gallery during the war to keep up morale. One of the most popular pieces she performed was her own transcription of Bach’s Jesu Joy of man's desiring.

At 7.30pm the Festival Too Chairman Mark Stanford will be hosting a 2-hour disco so that people can keep the party going, leading up to the national singing of "We’ll Meet Again", following on from an address by HM The Queen at 9pm.

Throughout the day, the Mayor will be making virtual visits to people’s homes and there will be a prize for the best-decorated house or garden.  The Mayor will invite the winning family for a special tea in the town hall when it is safe to do so.

Cllr Elizabeth Nockolds, Deputy Leader of the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk and Cabinet Member for Culture Heritage and Health, said: "As we are thanking our key workers at this present difficult period, it is important for us to remember also our heroes from the past who gave their lives for our country.

"Although we must stay at home and stay safe we can still celebrate this momentous anniversary by taking part in the suggested activities which will help to make it a special day to remember.

"I am delighted that so many community groups and individuals have offered their help with this project, and that the local media KLFM, Lynn News and Your Local Paper and BBC Radio Norfolk have really got behind the project too.  The photographs that people share with us will become the archives of the future and it is important, that while we go through these challenging times, we show how we can all still come together."

Ahead of the celebrations, Cllr Geoff Hipperson, the Mayor of the Borough of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, is asking people to invite him to their party. Fill in the online form to request a visit, and he will join you virtually via Facetime or Whatsapp Video. He is hoping to fit in around 20 visits, time allowing, including visiting staff and patients at the QE Hospital at 3pm on Friday, 8 May, when the whole country will be toasting our heroes past and present.

The idea for this event has come from Rachael Williams the Learning and Engagement Officer at Stories of Lynn and Maj (Ret’d) Gary Walker, Secretary of the King's Lynn & District RAFA, in association with the Mayor's office, the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, True's Yard and Norfolk Museums Service.

Maj (Ret’d) Gary Walker MBE TD VR, Secretary of King's Lynn District RAFA, said: "As Secretary of the local Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association, I was keen that we both commemorate and celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day and so spoke to the borough’s Civics Officer last year to discuss and prepare a plan for the borough for VE Day, which would allow everyone to participate. With the help of Rachael Williams, Learning and Engagement Officer at Stories of Lynn, we produced a comprehensive day of events, all of which have now sadly had to be shelved. However, the people in 1945 had faced far greater challenges and came through them. We were not going to be dismayed by the current lock-down and have produced a package of ‘virtual’ VE Day events for all to take part in. I hope everyone will take the time to learn more about the importance of this day and to enjoy the opportunity to both remember and celebrate our heroes of yesteryear."

To book the Mayor for your party, simply go to west-norfolk.gov.uk, search 'Invite the Mayor', then complete the online form, with details of your party, your contact phone number and whether you have Whatsapp or Facetime. You can also suggest your preferred time, although timings cannot be guaranteed.

Links to videos, galleries, talks, the disco and activities are all available by visiting storiesoflynn.co.uk/VEDay75   and the Stories of Lynn social media channels @storiesoflynn on Twitter and Facebook.  Some links will be added on the day.

Coronavirus forces cancellation of 70th Festival - new dates from October

The 70th King’s Lynn Festival, due to have been staged on July 19-August 1, has been cancelled due to coronavirus – but a smaller-scale festival is planned, starting in October.

Festival chairman Alison Croose said: “We are putting together a curtailed programme which we hope will feature some of the big names who were due to appear in Lynn in July. But, clearly, we are having to work on an “all being well basis assuming there are no major setbacks in the coronavirus crisis.

“It is obviously very disappointing that the 70th festival, which we have been planning since May 2019, will not now happen. But it is only one of many, many significant events which are victims of this national crisis,” she said.

Events are being planned around the weekend of October 10-11 and on other dates during the following weeks creating a “festival season”.

“We are talking to pianist and festival vice-president Freddy Kempf, the European Union Chamber Orchestra, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Brighouse and Rastrick brass band, art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon and harpist to the Prince of Wales Alis Huws. The Scottish fiddle group Blazin’ Fiddles are due to appear at St George’s Guildhall on November 20. They are all keen to come to Lynn for this postponed event,” Mrs Croose said.

“We have spoken to our sponsors and much appreciate their on-going support for our plans and that they are happy to continue to back us financially,” she said.

“While our sponsors are prepared to support our plans the loss of box office income from a packed programme of events at a two-week July festival will have a financial impact on the organisation,” said Mrs Croose.

Other musicians and artists due to have been part of the 70th Festival will be invited to take part in the festival in July 2021.

The programme will be announced later in the summer. Festival staff are currently working remotely but any administrative inquiries can be made to ema@kingslynnfestival.org.uk. Press inquiries to donna@kingslynnfestival.org.uk.

Postponement of Festival events to the end of May

The King's Lynn Festival's year-round events, which were programmed to the end of May, will not take place as a result of the current Coronavirus situation.

We are doing our best to reschedule them for much later in the year, and tickets will remain valid for the rearranged events. If you would prefer a refund at this point, please call the Box Office on 01553 764864.

The events no longer taking place are: The Lucky Dog Picturehouse with the film Piccadilly on March 27; The Coffee Concert with Benson Wilson and Lucy Colquhoun on April 3; the Marsyas Trio Coffee Concert on April 24; The Globe On Screen Twelfth Night on April 24 and the talk by Simon Thurley, also on April 24.

We have rescheduled The English National Opera Film, Mikado, (originally on March 27) to October 15 in St George's Guildhall at 1pm and tickets bought for the March date will remain valid.

We apologise for any inconvenience, but given the current guidelines the Festival has little choice but to take this action and we hope to see you all again when this situation has passed.

Our office is temporarily closed so please email us: ema@kingslynnfestival.org.uk or donna@kingslynnfestival.org.uk or louise@kingslynnfestival.org.uk

Top names for our 70th Festival - launch details

The 70th King’s Lynn Festival will maintain our tradition of excellence in a packed programme with broad appeal.

We stand by the mantra of the Festival’s founder, Ruth, Lady Fermoy: Nothing but the best for King’s Lynn.

Our 36 events feature a host of famous names and truly offers something for everyone. The festival attracts people from far and wide and does much to put Lynn on the national map, as well as enriching the lives of local people.

One major attraction will be a painting of national significance by J M W Turner. His early masterpiece, Walton Bridges, was acquired by Norfolk Museums Service last year and Lynn will be its first stop on a tour of East Anglia.

It is currently on display at Norwich Castle Museum, but in July it will be moved to Lynn Museum to be part of Lynn Festival.

The programme reflects festivals past while also featuring rising stars of the future. We will welcome the return of some festival favourites including the Academy of Ancient Music, festival vice-president pianist Freddy Kempf, singer Clare Teal with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Brighouse and Rastrick brass band and Scottish folk group Blazin’ Fiddles.

One of the festival’s aims is to enable audiences to enjoy Lynn’s wonderful buildings. The European Union Chamber Orchestra (EUCO) and King’s Lynn Festival Chorus will open the festival at St Nicholas’ Chapel when the programme will include Haydn’s Nelson Mass. The building, which has a renowned acoustic, will also be the setting for an organ recital by Ben Horden.

EUCO will give a second concert at the town's impressive Minster where Freddy Kempf will give a recital. Alis Huws, the current harpist to the Prince of Wales, will present her programme in All Saints Church.

As always, St George’s Guildhall is a key venue where the renowned Skampa Quartet will present the Lady Fermoy Memorial Concert, and art expert Andrew Graham-Dixon will give two illustrated talks. It will also be the setting for a celebration of Kathleen Ferrier, the renowned singer who featured prominently in early Lynn festivals.

Another famous name – conductor and musician Sir John Barbirolli - who took part in many early Lynn Festivals - will be remembered in a talk by Barbirolli expert David Greening.

We are delighted to have been invited to stage a concert in the magnificent setting of Houghton Hall - where the musicians will be Roberto Ruisi and Sten Heinoja.

Popular guitarist Craig Ogden will return to Lynn, this time with his latest - and very successful - musical venture with classical accordionist, Milos Milivojevic. Another guitarist, John Etheridge, who won many fans last year, will also be back – this time with singer Vimala Rowe.

One of the most popular features of the festival – the series of five, morning coffee concerts in Lynn Town Hall, will again feature rising stars of the classical music world. West Acre Theatre will host a Sunday afternoon concertwith the Marmen Quartet, followed by tea.

A popular feature of earlier festivals is to be revived this year with an afternoon coach tour of three magnificent Fenland churches. Their history will be explained by a priest, aesthetic features will be highlighted by an artist, and an organist will fill the spaces with music.

Other attractions include contemporary music, a festival walk and films.

A peal of bells to mark the start of the festival on July 19 will be rung at St Nicholas’ Chapel while on the nearby Tuesday Market Place there will be a full programme of free outdoor entertainment.

The Festival has a new look this year. Design Bridge, a leading international brand design agency has created an appropriate brand they consider reflects the quality of the festival’s programmes and the character of its venues.

This year’s festival exhibition in the Fermoy Gallery will be a retrospective featuring some of the artists and artefacts of past exhibitions. The centrepiece will be a newly-restored portrait of festival founder Ruth, Lady Fermoy. The painting, by British artist Thomas Anthony Devas, has for many years hung in the auditorium of St George’s Guildhall .

Tickets go on general sale on May 4, earlier for our Friends and Patrons.

Don't miss our fantastic films

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February 2020 Newsletter

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Coffee concert launches 2020 season

Our 2020 programme will start very soon with a wonderful coffee concert, which always prove to be popular.  Take a closer look at what is coming up and book your tickets soon.

January 2020 Newsletter

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December Newsletter

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Felicity Aston MBE: Polar Exposure talk

The Women's Euro-Arabian North Pole Expedition talk at St George's Guildhall on Friday, March 13 at 7.30pm. Tickets £12 or £10 for RGS-IBG members as the event is presented by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

Facing extreme temperatures, shifting landscapes and the threat of polar bears, polar scientist turned explorer Felicity Aston and a team of ten novices from across Europe and the Middle East ski across the frozen Arctic Ocean to the North Pole.

The core purpose was to foster greater dialogue and understanding between women from Western and Arabian cultures. It also inspired many women to reach beyond the expectations of others and to fulfill their own life ambitions.

Booking open now on 01553 764864.

The White Crow (12A)

Director Ralph Fiennes captures the brilliance of Rudolph Nureyev whose escape to the West stunned the world at the height of the Cold War.

Written by David Hare, The White Crow stars Oleg Ivenko and tells the story of the Russian ballet legend.

The film, on Friday March 13, at 2.30pm lasts 127 minutes and is shown in partnership at St George's Guildhall in partnership with King's Lynn Cinema Club. Tickets are £5.

November Newsletter

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Painting the Personal opening November 2

Painting the Personal is at the Fermoy Gallery from Saturday 2^nd November to Saturday 23^rd November

Open every day from 11am-4pm Tuesday to Sunday, free admission.

Painting the Personal features artists such as Gwen John, Aliza Nisenbaum and Jacqueline Morreau and is the third in a series of exhibitions exploring the notion of place. Special tour with Dr Rosy Gray, curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Norwich Castle, on Wednesday 6^th November. Advance bookings only on 01553 767557. Tickets for the 30-minute informal talk are £5.

Port-2-Port Exhibition opening October 12th

Port-2-Port is at The Fermoy Gallery Saturday 12^th October to Sunday 27^th October

Open every day except Mondays, from 11.00 to 4.00pm free admission.

Port-2-Port is a brace of art exhibitions curated by Norfolk Contemporary Art Society. In medieval times the two ports of Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn were major players in English sea-born trade, the former broadly facing the Low Countries and also focused on fishing, the latter facing the Hanseatic League ports in the Baltic and with onward trade routes inland. Sadly both towns have steadily declined as ports for both trade and fishing, so we are drawing attention to these two beautiful and historic towns by focusing on their cultural strengths, exchanging artworks from one port with artworks from the other, exhibiting them in galleries in each other’s port and connecting them visually, despite the surprising distance that separates them.

The Great Yarmouth artists showing in Port-2-Port are John Kiki, Emrys Parry, Brüer Tidman, Katarzyna Coleman and Bridget Heriz. Self-styled the Yarmouth Five, they all have studios in Yarmoth and exhibit widely both here and abroad. All five work from a strong figurative tradition. The reciprocal return exhibition, of West Norfolk artists, will be shown in The Fisher Patterson Gallery, The Library, Gt. Yarmouth from Thursday 7^th November to Thursday 21^st November. Norfolk is a very large county!

EXTRA FESTIVAL OCTOBER 25 - 27

King’s Lynn Festival’s Extra weekend on October 25-27 features a rich variety of musical entertainment including Ronnie Scott’s 60th Anniversary Tour and a new one-woman show featuring Anna Mudeka.

On October 25 Anna Mudeka will lead a family-friendly workshop of music-making, singing and dancing as part of her Kure Kure/Faraway tour at 2pm before her new show at St George’s Guildhall at 7.30pm.

Musicians from Ronnie Scott’s legendary jazz venue will stage a visual and musical celebration of club at the Guildhall on October 26 at 8pm.

The packed weekend programme also includes a classical music coffee concert featuring violinist Rose Hsien and pianist Andrew Hsu at Lynn Town Hall on October 26 at 11am.

Later that day at All Saints Church in Lynn there will be a clavichord recital, entitled On the Cusp of the Classical, by Julian Perkins at 6pm. Music linked to the Le Strange family at Hunstanton will be introduced by historian Alison Gifford and performed by the Chelys Consort at All Saints on Sunday October 27 at 3pm.

Fanfare for the Future will be a celebratory programme of brass classics old and new performed by leading lights in brass chamber music - the Onyx Brass Quintet - at St George’s Guildhall on Sunday October 27 at 7.30pm.

The weekend programme will also include a showing of the film version of Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre production of Hamlet with Maxine Peak (Friday October 25 at 11.30am at St George’s Guildhall). The next day at 12.30pm a film of the National Gallery’s major exhibition,  Vermeer and Music, telling Johannes Vermeer’s his life story, will be shown at the Guildhall.

The mini festival coincides with Port-2-Port, exhibitions curated by Norfolk Contemporary Art Society linking the major medieval ports of King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth at the Fermoy Gallery, Lynn, on October 12-27.  

It will be followed by an exhibition of modern and contemporary art from Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery entitled Painting the Personal. The exhibition – which runs from November 2-23 - draws on the rich variety of figurative work in the collection, exploring how the human figure is integral to an understanding of place. There will be an informal tour of the exhibition with the curator Rosy Gray on November 6 at 11am.

Call the box office at the Corn Exchange on 01553-764864 or visit www.kingslynnfestival.org.uk

Great reviews and feedback for this summer's festival

We have been handing out short questionnaires to our audiences and so far have had overwhelmingly positive feedback.  Here are just some of the comments so far, compiled by Kate:

"Early Music Night was brilliant this year! Outstanding." - We couldn't agree more - we too loved the London Handel Players and the newly-formed New Oxford Consort.

"Always look forward to the festival - such a varied programme." - We try, but like many music and arts festivals we are still not attracting enough young people...

"I love the coffee concerts" - Its been great to see so many familiar faces and some new ones at these events.  Our coffee concerts are nearly always sold out, and attract a large number of people attending on their own, which is really positive for our older community.

Yesterday, our Coffee Concert violinist Maria Gîlicel was touched to receive some flowers and an appreciative handwritten note from fellow Romanians in the audience who have been following her career.

Some great reviews have also appeared in the local press:

Endellion Quartet review in Lynn News

Ruisi Quartet review in Lynn News

Lesley Garrett and Emma Johnson review in Lynn News

We always welcome your feedback, comments and suggestions - you can email them to us any time!

New Season Programme

The next EXTRA Festival weekend will be held 25-27 October.  We have an exciting mix of classical, jazz, theatre, exhibitions, workshops and films.  Ronnie Scott's All Stars will be making a welcome return to King's Lynn for their 60th anniversary tour and we will be screening Manchester Royal Exchange's critically-acclaimed production of Hamlet featuring Maxine Peake.  Check back in August for the full programme and booking details, or join our mailing list to receive a copy of our new season brochure.

Ten Primary Schools visit Gustav Metzger Exhibition

The Festival has been welcoming groups of pupils from 10 local schools to special workshops, ahead of the daily public opening of the exhibition from Saturday 13 to Saturday 3 August, 11am to 4pm.

The thought-provoking artwork and participatory work are well worth a visit - especially as some of the pieces in the Fermoy Gallery have never been shown before.

Visitors to the Mass Media (Today and Yesterday) 2011/2019 exhibition are invited to select articles to display as part of an evolving conversation around the themes of Extinction, How We Live Now and the Credit Crunch.

Full details of the exhibition are available here

Out of this world festival!

This summer's 50th anniversary of the moon landings has inspired our events programme.  We have joined up with the King's Lynn & District Astronomy Society to show off some of their lovely images of the moon and space, and are delighted they will join us at evening events on Tuesday 16 July at All Saints Church and Saturday 20 July at St Nicholas' Chapel.  This will give concert-goers the chance to use some of the group's telescopes, so fingers-crossed for clear skies!

On Tuesday 16 July the concert at All Saints is packed full of music from the Middle Ages to the present day inspired by space.  The concert by Sirinu, a group who sing and perform on period instruments, will appropriately mark the 50th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11.

Saturday 20 July, the moon landing anniversary, will have three celebratory events.  In the afternoon, Dr Matthew Bothwell, Cambridge University Institute of Astronomy's outreach astronomer, will be in conversation with composer Tim Watts, before narrating Tim's composition to be performed by the Berkeley Ensemble in a world premiere.

The early evening concert at St Nicholas' Chapel will feature the London Handel Players performing 18th century astronomer and composer William Herschel's Symphony for Strings, along with some of Bach's best-known works.  The late evening concert features the newly-formed choral group, New Oxford Consort, with early music inspired by the heavens and the stars.

So join us and be uplifted this July!

We need your old newspapers!

Visitors to this summer’s ground-breaking King’s Lynn Festival exhibition featuring the work of Gustav Metzger will be able to help create an art installation reflecting current cares and concerns.

Metzger was one of the most challenging and inspiring artists of recent times who lived and worked in Lynn in the 1950s when he produced some of his most significant work.

We need thousands of newspapers from which visitors will select articles and images relating to their views of the world today.  The project will take place in the Red Barn at St George’s Courtyard at King Street where newspapers – both national and local - can be delivered between 10am and 3pm on Tuesdays in June.

Metzger lived in Queen Street where he had a studio and ran a junk shop between 1953 and 1960. During that period he became very involved in political campaigns and set up the Lynn branch of CND and was very involved in the North End Protest. He also co-founded with Bertrand Russell and others the Committee of 100, an anti-war group.

The exhibition will be staged in the Fermoy Gallery at St George’s Courtyard from 29 June.

Even You Song - a new work for choirs

On July 15^th Kings Lynn Minster will host the performance of Even You Song, a new work for choirs devised by artist Bettina Furnée, poet Lucy Sheerman and composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad based on Choral Evensong. We talk to Lucy and Bettina about what we should expect and their inspiration for the project….

Explore King's Lynn with Dr Paul Richards

The growing interest in the close links between King’s Lynn and the Hanseatic League will be highlighted during a guided walk led by historian Dr Paul Richards on June 14.

“Lynn has many Hanseatic associations, both past and present, with Europe’s oldest trading group,” Dr Richards said.

He will explain the significance of the League and how it continues to highlight the importance of Lynn on the European map. The hour-long walk will culminate with drinks at the Grade One listed Hanse House opposite Lynn Minster.

Tickets available from the Festival Office 01553 767557 or online.

Bess of Hardwick comes to King's Lynn!

This weekend, St Nicholas' Chapel will provide the backdrop for a new play by Kevin Fegan. The show has played to sell-out performances at Buxton Pavillion Arts Theatre, Lakeside Arts Nottingham. Drill Hall Lincoln, Old Library Theatre Mansfield and The Lowry. 

A unique insight into the political intrigues of Elizabethan England, as witnessed first-hand by "Bess of Hardwick". Bess was the closest female friend of Queen Elizabeth I and, at the same time, confidante to Mary Queen of Scots, whom Bess and her 4th husband (the Earl of Shrewsbury) kept under "house-arrest" for over 15 years until Mary's execution.

Tickets are on sale now and will be available at the door.  Performance starts at 7.30pm on Sunday 28 April.

King’s Lynn Festival’s second EXTRA mini festival weekend of music, talks, drama and exhibitions April 26-28

To complement the town’s first Shakespeare Festival, the King’s Lynn Festival have programmed a series of events in Lynn’s historic buildings to celebrate music and people of the Elizabethan era.  EXTRA begins on Friday 26^th with a 11am coffee concert,   Inspired by Shakespeare, at the Town Hall where pianist Patrick Hemmerle will perform works music by Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy and Prokoviev which are associated with Shakespeare’s plays. 

Later that day Fontanella, a quintet of recorder players, will present a varied programme entitled The Woods So Wild at All Saints Church at 5.30pm.  Since the 1500s, the distinctive sound of the recorder has been used to imitate birdsong, inspiring generations of musicians and composers. This beautiful hour-long programme presents a feast of music of ancient woods with pieces by William Byrd, Henry VIII, Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Purcell and Marenzio, as well as some jazz arrangements and new sounds. 

They will also perform a special interactive hour long concert for primary schools at 1.30pm in the same venue.

The Festival will return to All Saints on April 27 at 5.30pm when one of Britain’s foremost harpsichordists, Jane Chapman, will perform From Byrd to Bird.  "Britain's most progressive harpsichordist" -  Jane Chapman is at the forefront of creating and inspiring new music for harpsichord. She has premiered over 200 solo, chamber and electroacoustic works for the instrument worldwide. Equally passionate about baroque and contemporary music, she has collaborated with ground-breaking composers, artists and dancers, working with musicians from the worlds of Indian music, jazz, and the avant-garde. One of Britain’s foremost harpsichordists Jane Chapman brings to life music from the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book and the Oriental Miscellany in this hour-long programme. 

Wall Street Journal "Jane Chapman is one of Britain's most distinguished classical harpsichordists, with a repertoire that stretches from early music to contemporary avant-garde. Her work is rapidly bringing the harpsichord into the 21st century and establishing her reputation as a rule-breaker."

At 3.30pm on April 27 historian Dr Paul Richards will lead a guided walk exploring Shakespeare’s Lynn.

Author Kate Hubbard will tell the remarkable story of Bess of Hardwick and her ascent through Elizabethan Society. Bess was a businesswoman, money-lender, husband manipulator and property tycoon and this illustrated discussion will show her ascent through Elizabethan society and the houses she built that shaped British architectural history.   Kate will be in conversation with Bess the Commoner Director and writer, Kevin Fegan at the Duke’s Head Hotel Ballroom on April 28 at 5pm.  The ticket price includes tea/coffee which will be available from 4.30pm.

Our weekend culminates in a first for the Festival, a drama performance in a church - St Nicholas’ Chapel at 7.30pm we present a one woman play -  Bess the Commoner Queen featuring Michelle Todd in a show combining powerful live performance and film shot on location at Hardwick Hall.  This multi-media theatrical performance is a story of survival and astonishing business success in the brutal world of Elizabethan politics, as witnessed first-hand by Bess of Hardwick. Born a farmer's daughter, Bess rose to become the richest woman in Elizabethan England, creating the Cavendish dynasty, building Chatsworth House and Hardwick Hall and becoming a “maker of queens”. An ambitious show presented as a seamless mix of powerful live performance and luscious film, shot on location at Hardwick Hall.

"A tour de force, striking outstanding production, a triumph for actress Michelle Todd and playwright Kevin Fegan" - British Theatre Guide

Our EXTRA weekend is accommpanied by a contrasting programme of the visual arts.  An exhibition of modern and contemporary art – Landscape in Abstraction - from Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery will be on show at the Fermoy Gallery at the Guildhall Complex, off King Street, from April 13 to May 4.  The exhibition programme will be supported by a series of workshops for children, family and adults run in partnership with Stories of Lynn.  The BCKLWN have also kindly agreed to open their archive from 10 – 2pm on 27^th April so people can enjoy slideshows, artifacts and maps from Lynn’s historical past (see our website/PDF for details).

Call the box office at the Corn Exchange (01553 764864) or visit www.kingslynnfestival.org.uk

Summer Festival Programme Launched

The 50th anniversary of the first moon landings is the inspiration for our 2019 Festival theme of Science and Arts.  Professor Robert Winston will lecture on Manipulating Humans, while Dr Matthew Bothwell of the Cambridge Institute of Astronomy will narrate a new composition by Tim Watts depicting the creation of the universe.  The London Handel Players will perform a piece by the famous 18th century Astronomer Royal, William Herschel.

Our star-studded Festival also welcomes back Lesley Garrett teaming up with clarinettist Emma Johnson, violinist Tasmin Little sharing the stage with pianist Piers Lane and the world-famous Endellion String Quartet will present the Ruth Fermoy Memorial Concert. The popular coffee concerts will feature musical stars of the future, and to round off a programme with something for everyone, we again welcome the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with Beethoven’s rarely-performed Triple Concerto.

Brochures will be available at the end of March.  Booking opens Tuesday 23 April.

Rare John Piper prints for sale

There are just 6 prints left for sale of John Piper's specially-commissioned work for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother depicting Sandringham House.  The prints bear a striking resemblance to the lively drawing in pencil, pen and ink, wax resist, indian ink, bodycolour and coloured chalks that the artist presented to Queen Elizabeth in 1970, and which remains in the Royal Collection (Ref RCIN 453454).

The prints were used as the cover for commemorative concert programmes for a birthday concert in 1970 at Sandringham House, featuring Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears, in honour of the Festival's Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Each of the mounted prints comes with an original concert programme, and can be purchased for £95 including P&P to a UK address. 

Prints are not numbered, but as far as we know, unless anyone has kept their concert programme in pristine condition for the last 48 years, we have the only stock available!  A real piece of musical and royal history.

Please call the Festival Office on 01553 767557 for further details.

What a year!

As we end our 2018 programme, we can look back on more than 70 events that we've hosted in King's Lynn and West Norfolk this year - substantially more than in previous years, thanks in part to our new funding from the New Anglia LEP to hold extra festival weekends in the "shoulder" months of the traditional tourist season.  The first of these was in October, and the next one will be 26-28 April - the same weekend as a brand new festival in town - the Shakespeare Festival.  Our programme will be announced in January, ahead of our main summer festival launch in February - so 2019 is set to be even busier!

Extra Festival weekend 12-14 October highlights

King’s Lynn Festival Extra, the three-day festival being staged on October 12-14, offers something for everyone with a world-famous brass band, classical music and a variety of events for children.

Highlighting two of the town's wonderful church organs, on October 12 at 5.30pm there will be a talk and recital, A Beginners Guide to the Pipe Organ, by organ expert Peter Godden who will play the recently-renovated Henry Willis organ at St Nicholas’ Chapel at 5.30pm.  Then on October 13 at 2.30pm organ fantasias will be played on the Minster’s fine Snetzler organ by Martin Schmeding and Henry Fairs.

At the Minster on October 12 at 8.30pm the silent film Phantom of the Opera will be shown with live music from Minima who were a hit at last year’s festival. The ancient church will provide an atmospheric setting for the performance.

For many the highlight of the weekend will be the first visit to Lynn of the world-class Cory Band who will perform a varied and exciting programme in St Nicholas’ Chapel at 6.30pm.

The weekend will conclude with four East Anglian Film Archive films relating to West Norfolk, and an early music concert by the Brook Street Band at 7.30pm, both events in St George’s Guildhall.

Children's half-term art activities

We have teamed up with artist Rachael Williams to run a great fun art activity inspired by our new exhibition.   We've called the activity "Matchstick Men and Matchstick Cats and Dogs" (our update on the famous 1977 song title!) as we will be using the L S Lowry painting in the PLACE exhibition as inspiration for creating King's Lynn street scenes in the Shakespeare Barn on Friday 19 October.  Book your place here. 

New Season brochure out now

Hot on the heels of a very successful King’s Lynn Festival the box office opens is now open for Festival Extra, three days of music, exhibitions, talks and films on October 12-14.

The new Festival is part of an ambitious New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Cultural Board initiative to develop cultural tourism across Norfolk and Suffolk.  Funding has been secured from Arts Council England and a range of other sources to develop collaborative working across the culture and tourism sectors to develop the cultural economy and to build audiences and income for the cultural sector.

“The Festival board was delighted to be invited to take part in a new cultural tourism initiative to attract visitors outside the traditional tourism season.” said Festival chairman Alison Croose.

A high profile feature of the event will be an exhibition of modern and contemporary works from Norwich Castle collection including L S Lowry, John Piper and Frances Kearney. It will be staged in the Fermoy Gallery from October 12 until November 3.

The programme is closely linked with Lynn’s outstanding cultural heritage and will begin with a coffee concert at Lynn Town Hall given by Kathleen Ferrier award winners, baritone James Newby and pianist Joseph Middleton. In the evening, at King’s Lynn Minster, a silent film of Phantom of the Opera will be accompanied by live music from Minima.

On October 13 a morning concert in Lynn’s oldest church, All Saints, will feature harpist Oliver Wass and later in the day world-class brass ensemble the Cory Band will visit Lynn for the first time to give a concert in the famed acoustic of St Nicholas’ Chapel.

On October 14 films from the East Anglian Film Archive relating to West Norfolk will be shown at St George’s Guildhall followed by an early music recital by Brook Street Band.

On Friday and Saturday afternoons events will focus on the newly-restored organ at St Nicholas’ Chapel, and Lynn Minster’s Snetzler organ on which a recital will be given by expert organists Henry Fairs and Martin Schmeding.

Call the box office at the Corn Exchange on 01553-764864 or visit www.kingslynnfestival.org.uk

School Workshops, contact us now

Schools Wind Pipe Organ Project - Pump It Up:  Sarah Kenchington (artist, maker, musician and performer) is bringing her wonderful and whimsical Wind Pipe Organ to King's Lynn for a week of school workshops and music making. Participating schools will create their own musical composition on this colourful instrument and then go on to explore how sound is generated through organ pipes by making their own instrument to take away
Running from the 8-12th October

We are also looking for young musicians, aged 16-18, to take part in a series of workshops leading to a performance, on this unique instrument, of Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Part; at a performance in St Nicholas' Chapel on Friday 12 October. 

If you are interested in booking a workshop for your school or you are a young musician who would like to take part in the performance on 12 October please contact Louise at King's Lynn Festival on 01553 767557 

Free Music on the Market Place

Following hot on the heels of Festival Too (our noisy little sister!) we have a full day of free entertainment on Sunday 15 July, starting from 11am at the Tuesday Market Place in King's Lynn.

The talented local performers will be: The Visibles, Anna Mudeka and her drummers, The King's Morris, Ukulele Orchestra of Spalding, King's Lynn Festival Chorus and Springwood Jazz.  There will also be various art activities and refreshments, and we promise to finish in time for the football!

Festival Artist In Residence: Marcin Zdunik

One of today’s leading cellists, Polish-born Marcin Zdunik, will be artist-in-residence this year's festival,where he will play in four concerts including the final night with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

Marcin, who was artist-in-residence with Warsaw Philharmonic last year, will first appear at St Nicholas’ Chapel on July 21 when he will demonstrate his technical mastery playing two Bach suites for cello.

On July 23 he will launch the popular series of morning coffee concerts at Lynn Town Hall when he will join the Aurea Quartet for a performance of what is considered Schubert’s finest chamber work – his Quintet in C.

On July 26 Marcin will return to the Town Hall to join Jâms Coleman (piano) to present the fourth coffee concert including works by Brahms, Debussy and Chopin.

There will be a chance to meet Marcin when he appears in a more relaxed setting in the Shakespeare Barn for an introduction to the cello, especially suited to anyone learning or thinking of learning the cello.

West Norfolk Wins

The first draw for West Norfolk's brand new lottery takes place on Saturday 26 May.   West Norfolk Wins, run by the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for good causes in West Norfolk. 

The King's Lynn Festival is a registered charity and a major provider of arts and culture in West Norfolk. Each year we bring world class performers to West Norfolk, investing as much as we can in performances of classical music, jazz, folk, talks, exhibitions and films. We couldn't do this without the generous donations of individuals and corporate sponsors, and West Norfolk Wins is an ideal way to support us so we can continue to stage top quality performances while keeping ticket prices as low as possible at our fantastic local arts venues.

For further information and to sign up, visit www.westnorfolkwins.co.uk

Thanks and good luck!

Early Music at the Hanse Festival

Musicians from Hanse countries will launch the Hanse Festival at King’s Lynn with a concert at All Saints Church on Friday May 18 at 7pm.

The Hanse Band - a flute, oboe, cello and harpsichord quartet - will perform early music on period instruments to launch the Hanse Festival in advance of a busy day of events and attractions in the town centre on Sunday May 20.

King’s Lynn Festival has organised the concert and tickets (£15 and under 18s £7.50) are available from the Corn Exchange on 01553-764864 or on our website event page.

Musical Instruments Amnesty

The Garage and King’s Lynn Festival are holding a musical instruments amnesty on Thursday 15 & Friday 16 February. Any instruments donated will be used at new music workshops for young people in King’s Lynn which will run from Friday 23 February. Any musical instruments which are no longer needed and could be in need of a small amount of TLC can be brough to the Festival offices at the Fermoy Gallery in King Street, King's Lynn PE30 1HA. The instruments donated need to be relatively easily transportable so grand pianos will be tuned down with much regret!

If you have any questions about the instruments you have to donate get in touch with Fiona Muller on 01603 283386 or fiona.muller@thegarage.org.uk or call the Festival office on 01553 767557.

Charity Fundraising Opportunity

The King’s Lynn Festival hosts a bucket collection at one of its key evening performances at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange each July.

Applications are invited from any registered charity working in the West Norfolk area who would like to organise their own bucket collection at an evening event in July 20178  Applicants from charities benefitting local people are preferred.  In previous years, charities such as the Norfolk Hospice, Homestart and King's Lynn Minster have collected around £300 in one evening from festival patrons.

Any interested charities should email   kate@kingslynnfestival.org.uk by Wednesday 31 January. Applications will be considered by the Festival’s Board of Trustees in February.

Strictly's Giovanni Pernice and the Halle Orchestra revealed for 2018 Festival

We are delighted to announce two of the events planned for the 2018 King's Lynn Festival.

On 18 July, Strictly Come Dancing finalist Giovanni Pernice will be performing his new show, and for our opening concert on 15 July we will be hosting the world-famous Hallé Orchestra.

Read more...

New date for Benedict Allen talk

We are pleased to announce that Benedict's talk has been rescheduled to Friday 26 January 2018 when he will have fully recovered from his recent momentous and much-publicised trip to Papua New Guinea.  Tickets are on sale now - £14 (RGS-IBG members and under 18s £10) - early booking is recommended. 

Benedict Allen talk postponed

Adventurer Benedict Allen’s visit to King’s Lynn tonight has been postponed to give him time to recoved from his latest trip to Papua New Guinea. The explorer was reported missing when he failed to catch his scheduled flight home last week and it is understood he is recovering from malaria.

Benedict's illustrated talk at St George’s Guildhall was to be a highlight of the festival’s year-round programme, and will be rescheduled within the next few weeks.

Ticket-buyers for Tuesday’s event have been contacted and can claim refunds from the Corn Exchange box office (01553 764864).

New Year Round Programme October 2017 - May 2018

Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, European Union Chamber Orchestra and author Charles Spencer feature in King’s Lynn Festival’s winter and spring programme which begins next week.

King's Lynn Festival move offices...

King’s Lynn Festival has moved its office back to the range of historic buildings where the festival began in 1951.

The internationally-renowned annual feast of music and the arts – staged for two weeks every July – is now based in offices at the Fermoy Gallery adjacent to St George’s Guildhall in King Street.

Festival Sell-outs

Two sell-out events on one evening enabled King’s Lynn Festival-goers to enjoy the best of Scottish fiddle music and a celebration of the 250th anniversary of Telemann.

Blazin’ Fiddles returned to St George’s Guildhall on Friday to entertain a packed audience who revelled in the traditional tunes played by six musicians from the highlands and islands who gave a sparkling performance packed with energy and variety.

Another full house at All Saints’ Church featured the Passacaglia Duo – Annabel Knight playing recorders and baroque flute with Robin Bigwood, a top name among harpsichord players.

They, too, delighted their audience with a programme entitled Travels with Telemann to celebrate his life’s working making music “for the pleasure of the people”.

The programme celebrated the vibrant music scene of his day and his friendships with the Handel and Bach families and the rich cultural mix of the music they shared.

Also, the hugely popular BBC Concert Orchestra's Friday Night iSi Music Night recording was sold out - but you can hear it on Radio 2 on Friday 4th August.

Return of Radio 2 favourite Clare Teal

It was one of the hottest tickets for King’s Lynn Festival – and the welcome return of Radio 2 favourite Clare Teal did not disappoint.

A packed Corn Exchange audience was thrilled by the singer’s engaging tributes to The First Ladies of Swing including Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee. As ever Clare Teal’s warm, engaging style and story-telling added to the entertainment.

Another significant feature on this visit was the support of Clare Teal’s superb 17-piece Hollywood Orchestra led by Guy Barker whose trumpet playing and stunning arrangements the audience was also able to appreciate and enjoy. The contributions of the band’s stalwart talented soloists added to the pleasure.

Barker also contributed reminiscences from his early days as a professional musician of encounters with big names in the business.

Two hours of music ranging from swing to sublime ballads evoked superlatives which fulfilled the festival’s quest for top quality events. 

Introducing Classical Guitarist Estevão Devides

Join us on Sunday 16 July for free classical and jazz performances on Tuesday Market Place from 11am to 3.30pm. 

One of the performers we have selected is King's Lynn-based classical guitarist Estevão Devides.

Born in Brazil, Estevão began studying the guitar at the age of 9 and studied at the Conservatory of Tatuí in Brazil, graduating in a Licentiate of Music Degree from the Unimes University of Santos.

In Brazil he has performed in schools, theatres and museums sponsored by companies in partnership with the Government of Culture. This financed his first recording of a CD in 2014 with 25,000 free copies that were distributed to students during his school performances.

He has a wide repertoire which he will showcase in his 45-minute set on the new stage at the Tuesday Market Place from around midday - so if you like your music from Beethoven to The Beatles then come along next Sunday!

Behind the scenes of Planet Earth II

One of the not-to-be-missed talks at the Festival this year will be on Saturday 29 July, when Australian wildlife biologist and filmmaker Dr Chadden Hunter reveals the secrets of making Planet Earth II, gives rare insights into wildlife filmmaking and shares never-before-seen footage from this hugely popular BBC TV series.

Tickets are available now.

A unique evening for film fans

Never afraid to stage something a little different from the norm, on Thursday 20 July King's Lynn Festival will be showing “the first horror film ever made” with live musical accompaniment from renowned soundsacpers Minima.

Minima’s sinister contemporary score is a daring 21st century interpretation of the genre-defining images of the 1920s.  This unusual and spellbinding show has previously run for a week at the Edinburgh Fringe and made an appearance at Glastonbury in 2015.  The venue - the largest surviving medieval guildhall in England boasting many original and rare medieval features - makes this a unique cinematic event for film fans everywhere.

"Silent films like this were meant to be screened with a live musical accompaniment because it adds so much to the experience" - Alex Hogg, Minima's guitarist.

Book tickets

Read The Guardian's Five Star film review

Listen to Minima's Score

Music on the Market Place

We are delighted to announce that with support from the Borough Council, we will be hosting a day of free classical and jazz concerts on the Tuesday Market Place on Sunday 16 July.  The event which runs from 11am to 3.30pm is designed for the whole family to enjoy and includes an informal free musical workshop in the Corn Exchange at 12.45 with Vladimir & Anton, "The Duelling Violin Brothers".

Also performing on the outdoor stage will be Brazilian born classical guitarist Estevão Devides, graduate of the Conservatory of Tatuí in São Paulo.  He has a broad repertoire from Beethoven to The Beatles and have given many concerts in Brazil and more recently in the UK.

Dance Groups Wanted!

We are really excited to be staging The Demon Barbers XL "Disco at the Tavern" show as part of this summer's festival.  We are looking for local dance groups (any style!) to join in the fun for a pre-show dance display at the King's Lynn Corn Exchange on Friday 28 July from approx. 6.30pm onwards.  Please contact Laura from The Demon Barbers for further information - we look forward to seeing you bust some moves at the dance spectacular of the year!

Lynn Festival Exhibition Coup

The temporary closure for renovation of a high-profile Cambridge art gallery has given Kings Lynn Festival a rare opportunity to stage an exhibition of paintings by a much-admired artist and mariner.

Kettle’s Yard at the University of Cambridge has the largest collection of work by Alfred Wallis and a substantial number of his pictures will form this summer’s Lynn Festival exhibition in the Fermoy Gallery at Lynn Arts Centre on July 16-29.

Summer programme announced

Tickets don't go on general sale until Monday 24 April, but if you want a sneak preview of this year's events, have a look at our What's On page - we are adding details all the time.  

With more than 30 confirmed Festival events and almost as many Fringe events, it's going to be a great July!  Some of the highlights include one of the finest Brass Bands in the world, several top orchestras, "The new First Lady of Swing" 

Charity Fundraising Opportunity

The King’s Lynn Festival hosts a bucket collection at one of its key evening performances at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange each July.

Applications are invited from any registered charity working in the West Norfolk area who would like to organise their own bucket collection at an evening event in July 2017.  Applicants from charities benefitting local people are preferred.  In previous years, charities such as the Norfolk Hospice and Homestart have collected around £300 from festival patrons.

Any interested charities should email  kate@kingslynnfestival.org.uk by Thursday 23 February. Applications will be considered by the Festival’s Board of Trustees in March.

We are recruiting!

We have just advertised for a part-time Admin Assistant to join our small team based in King's Lynn.  If you have office experience and a passion for the arts and would like to work with us, have a look at the full advert, job description and download the application form.  Sorry but CVs on their own cannot be accepted.  Closing date is Friday 17 February.

Now Open for Festival Fringe Bookings

The King's Lynn Festival team are reaching out to event organisers across King's Lynn and West Norfolk to submit details of any music, arts or cultural events they are planning for next July.   Each year dozens of fringe events are included in the Festival's main brochure and featured on the Festival website to encourage more people to attend.

If you are planning an art exhibition, a music recital, a craft activity, a dance workshop, a guided walk, a historical talk or any similar activity - we'd love to hear about it.  Please contact Kate on 01553 767557 or book your event with us online. 

Work Experience Opportunity

Closing Date: 1 December 2016
Assignment: 10 February 2017 & 5 days between 15 & 29 July 2017.

Are you studying photography at college or 6th form?  Would you like to volunteer with us next year?  This is a great opportunity for a Photography student to get an insight of “behind the scenes” at a festival and to create a music and arts portfolio...

Turn a Top Ten into a Top Three!

A big thank you to everyone who nominated us for the EDP People's Choice Large Organisation/Festival/Performance Norfolk Arts Award.

We are thrilled to make it to the shortlist  published in yesterday's EDP but now we need as many votes as possible before the public vote closes on 18 September.  Please have a look at the shortlist and help celebrate the King's Lynn Festival's input to Norfolk's vibrant music, arts and culture scene.

Sincere thanks from all at the King's Lynn Festival. 

Festival attracts biggest audience so far...help us win an award!

The figures are in - two weeks of top quality events has attracted the biggest audience in the Festival's 66-year history.

There were more than 7000 ticket buyers for the especially wide-ranging programme plus more than 1000 visitors to the exhibition of works by artist Alfred Cohen staged in partnership with the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, and sculpture by Susan Bacon.

A record sum was invested in the exciting programme but the box office takings achieved the ambitious target set by the Festival Board, enabling us to break even.

Thanks to everyone who supported us by sponsorship, membership, buying tickets, volunteering and the many in-kind contributions which help us bring world-class performers to local stages.

Please consider nominating us for the EDP People’s Choice Norfolk Arts Award:

• The nomination form only takes a few minutes to complete
• The deadline is 23 August
• The category to use is the Best Large Venue/Festival/Organisation/Production.

The nomination form is here: http://www.norfolkartsawards.com/edp-peoples-choice-awards-2016.html

Thank you!

Niamh Cusack to read poetry at T S Eliot event tonight

Juliet Stevenson has had to withdraw from her involvement in T S Eliot’s Four Quartets at King’s Lynn Festival because of filming schedules.

She will be replaced by another renowned actress Niamh Cusack who will join former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and cellist Guy Johnston at St Nicholas’ Chapel tonight (Thursday July 28) at 7.30pm.

Niamh, a member of the well-known acting family, has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and appeared in many major stage productions since the mid-1980s.

She had a long-running role as Dr Kate Rowan in the TV series Heartbeat and more recently rejoined the Royal National Theatre to play Siobhan in the stage adaptation of Mark Haddon’s book, The Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night-Time.

At the Lynn Festival event Niamh will read T S Eliot’s poetry interwoven with music by Bach for cello, played by Guy Johnston. T S Eliot expert and theologian Rowan Williams will discuss Four Quartets.

Fermoy Gallery Re-opens for Festival Exhibition

The high-profile festival exhibition in the Fermoy Gallery at the King's Lynn Arts Centre complex opens on Monday.  The exhibition feature the work of American-born colourist and draughtsman Alfred Cohen who settled in Norfolk in 1978 and continued to work in his studio at Wighton near Wells until his death in 2001.

A collection of his pictures exploring the theme of light and water are being loaned by the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts at Norwich in the second year of a partnership with Lynn Festival. Alfred Cohen’s work features in major public collections in Britain and abroad.

Also on show at the gallery will be sculptures by Susan Bacon which were inspired by some of Shakespeare’s most memorable creations. They were originally displayed at the Globe Theatre last year as part of The Globe Project.

The gallery is open daily Monday to Saturday (July 18-30) from 10am-4pm and entry is free.

Vaughan Williams celebrated at this year's Festival

King’s Lynn is proud of its associations with composer Ralph Vaughan Williams so it is fitting that 60 years after he conducted a Festival concert in St Nicholas’ Chapel his music will be featured in four events at this year’s Festival...

Jazz and Folk to feature at Festival

The wide-ranging King’s Lynn Festival programme will bring top names from the worlds of jazz and folk to King’s Lynn.

Ray Gelato, known as Britain’s “godfather of swing”, will team up with multi award-winning singer, Claire Martin, for a celebration of swing at the Corn Exchange on July 22.

The pair, praised for their “great combination of jazz artistry”, will explore the Great American Songbook, sharing the stage with a world-class trio led by David Newton.

Highly successful Lynn Festival gigs by Scottish groups Blazin’ Fiddles and Capercaillie in the last two years will be followed by Lau’s first visit to Lynn on July 18.

Four times Radio 2 Folk Award winners, Lau take their name from the Orcadian word for “air” – one of the trio Kris Drever is from Orkney. Aiden O’Rourke is from Oban and Martin Green from England.

They are one of the most sought-after groups on the Scottish scene, known for their “sublime musicianship and empathetic interplay” in their exciting brand of British folk music. 

Another big name appearing in Lynn for the first time is that of The Unthanks, exponents of the traditional and folk music of the North-East of England who have also featured prominently in the Radio 2 Folk wards. They are also known for their clog dancing!

They will perform at Lynn in a 10-piece band on July 20.

Half-price concessions for under 18s are available for all three events. Call the box office at the Corn Exchange on 01553-764864 or book online.

Harp workshops update

The 2.30pm Hands on Harps workshop is now full, but there are a few tickets left for Wednesday 27 July 4pm.

The friendly and informal workshops are run by Gloucestershire-based duo Creag and Morwenna at All Saints' Church in King's Lynn.  Here is a lovely picture of them with their nine-month-old son Django.

From the Festival Office

Just a quick update on some Festival Housekeeping!

• We have now filled all of the exhibition steward rota, with thanks to our wonderful volunteers.
   
• Our AGM has already taken place - we noticed that the reply slip we sent out in March said 27 June when it was actually in April!  Oops!
   
• We are recruiting a temporary Gallery Invigilator to work from Wednesday 13 July to Monday 1 August inclusive.  Please send us your CV if you are interested.
   
• We are running an historic festival countdown on our social media including posts of photos from our programme archives - so if you like local history then have a look at Twitter @KLFestival or Facebook /KingsLynnFestival
   
• We are also keen to hear from anyone who has a business in West Norfolk who would like to receive a supply of our brochures for their staff and/or customers.  Give Kate a call on 01553 767557.
   
• Kate and Jo will be at Tesco in King's Lynn with balloons and brochures to give to shoppers on Friday 10 June - please come and say hello!

Coffee Concert Change Announced

Yuanfan Yang has unfortunately had to withdraw from his performance in this year’s Festival as he has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Cleveland International Piano Competition in the USA which clashes with his proposed concert.  Obviously we did not wish to deny this young performer such a fantastic opportunity, so he has been replaced by British pianist Maria Marchant.

Maria’s programme will be Beethoven Sonata Op. 27 No. 2 ‘Moonlight’; Debussy Suite Bergamasque; Schubert/Liszt Schwanengesang; Liszt Ballade in B minor.  Maria Marchant gave her Wigmore Hall and Southbank debuts in 2010 to critical acclaim after being selected as a young artist on the Concordia Foundation, Park Lane Group and Tillett Trust schemes.  Since then, she has been much in demand as recitalist and has performed in numerous festivals, although this is her first time performing in King's Lynn.   Tickets are still available for this concert.

The first sell-out of the season!

Less than one week since our box office opened, and we have sold all of the tickets for the Shakespeare Walk with Dr Paul Richards - but call us on 01553 767557 if you would like to go our a reserve list - we will try to arrange another if we get enough enquiries.

Box office figures show we are close to selling out Ronnie Scott's All Stars already, and the top price seats for the Czech National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Libor Pesek are likely to go within the next few days.

Hot tickets include  The Unthanks - helped no doubt by their spectatular performance at this week's Radio 2 Folk Awards, where they won the Best Album award for the enchanting "Mount the Air".  Also Angela Hewitt, Lesley Garrett, Emma Johnson & Piatti Quartet are all selling fast, so although its still 77 days to go until the festival starts, make your plans now!

Festival Exhibition News

One of the Festival Exhibitions this year is a series of sculptures by Susan Bacon, which will be in the Fermoy Gallery foyer from Monday 18 - Saturday 30 July. Originally part of The Globe Sculpture Project , they were on display last year at Shakespeare's Globe (pictured). 

The King's Lynn Festival are seeking volunteers to steward this free exhibition.  If you can spare a couple of hours or more during 18-30 July and would like to help, please contact the Festival Office on 01553 767557.

A Shakespeare trail at the 2016 Festival

King’s Lynn Festival has a special reason to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death for the Bard almost certainly performed on the stage of St George’s Guildhall in King Street.

This year's Festival includes a Shakespeare's Lynn guided walk, a Shakespeare Sculptures exhibition, a showing of the 2015 film Macbeth and the King's Lynn Festival Chorus will perform Three Shakespeare Songs by Vaughan Williams.

"We won!"

On 4 March the King's Lynn Festival were awarded the Mayor's Leisure & Tourism Award for the 2015 Festival. 

It was the first time we had applied for the award, and was a fitting recognition of our record-breaking box office for last summer's festival.

2016 Festival Programme Announced

The Bank House Hotel was the lovely (and sunny!) host of our press launch for the 66th Festival.

We are recruiting!

The King's Lynn Festival team has a vacancy for a Communications and Events Intern.  This is a paid post for 6 months, 30 hours per week, to start before 31 March 2016.  This vacancy is supported by the Creative Employment Programme and is open to unemployed people aged 18 to 24.

Download the job description and an application form or contact your local Job Centre Plus quoting LMS Reference Number KIJ/42392

Completed application forms must be returned to the King's Lynn Festival Office by 10am Friday 5 February at the latest. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 10 February in King's Lynn.

Music picks up the pace at Greyfriars School

Internationally renowned musicians Ian Mitchell and Caroline Balding from the Gemini ensemble will be running workshops next week at a local Primary School ahead of their King’s Lynn Festival concert at the Town Hall.

The Bells are back!

There will be an extra treat for the audience before the Fairey Band concert on Saturday 17 October - A quarter peal will be rung on the chapel’s recently reinstated bells, following their restoration. The concert will then commence with a specially-commissioned fanfare from East Anglian composer Tim Watts.  This will be the first major concert following the re-opening of the chapel after major repairs and alterations.

Top price tickets are sold out but there are still some £12 tickets available - call the Festival Office on 01553 767557 to reserve yours now.

Historic Lynn Venue St Nicks Re-opens

The 600 year old Chapel of St Nicholas has been used as a Festival venue from the very first King's Lynn Festival in 1951. That first concert on 27 July 1951 featured a performance by singing legends Kathleen Ferrier, Margaret Ritchie and Peter Pears.  Since then, many famous names have performed in St Nicks as part of the King's Lynn Festival including Yehudi Menuhin (1965), Nigel Kennedy (1975), James Galway (1992), John Williams (1995), Nicola Benedetti (2005), and was host to the two final performances from Sir John Barbirolli, conducting the Halle Orchestra, just days before his death in 1970.

Fanfare for St Nick's Box Office

To keep our administration costs low, True's Yard Museum are helping us with ticket sales for the Fairey Band concert at St Nicholas' Chapel on 17 October.  Tickets can be paid for and collected at True's Yard from Tues-Sat 10am-4pm, or reserved by phone on 01553 770479.  Tickets reserved by phone will be sent out on the Friday following the receipt of payment, which can be via cheque or Paypal, as we are unable to accept credit cards this time.

All of the rest of our events can be booked via our usual Box Office - the King's Lynn Corn Exchange on 01553 764864.

65th Festival Animation

A big thank you to all that were involved in making our 2015 festival a success! Here is a small animation (Created by Festival Intern Daniel Brown) highlighting the success of the Festival

Fairey Band concert announcement

The Festival is set to stage the first major concert in St Nicholas' Chapel following its re-opening after major repairs and alterations. The brass band music of the world-famous Fairey Band will capitalise on the chapel’s renowned acoustic when Fanfare for St Nick’s is staged on Saturday October 17 at 6.30pm.

Tickets for Fanfare for St Nick’s will go on sale at True’s Yard Museum, North Street, Lynn on Tuesday 4th August.  The museum is open Tues-Sat 10am-4pm.  Tickets can be reserved by calling the museum on 01553 770479, or via the Festival office on 01553 767557.

A Magic Night with the BBC

King’s Lynn Festival took its place on the national stage when the BBC Concert Orchestra recorded an edition of Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night on Monday July 20 during the 65th Lynn Festival.

Festival Exhibition Opens

Personalities from the arts world who have taken part in King’s Lynn Festival during its 65-year history are featured in this year’s Festival exhibition of work by portrait photographer John Hedgecoe.

Talk Cancellation: Professor Callum Roberts

The talk presented by Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in association with King's Lynn Festival, due to be held on Saturday 18 July at 3pm has been cancelled.  Sadly, Callum has broken his knee and needs an operation so will not be able to travel to King's Lynn.

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY BOOKED TICKETS TO THIS EVENT, PLEASE CONTACT THE BOX OFFICE FOR A REFUND ON 01553 764864.

THE FESTIVAL TEAM WOULD LIKE TO WISH CALLUM ALL THE BEST FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY.

Festival Feature: Singing Senstations

This year's festival sees the welcome return of hugely talented British baritone Benedict Nelson, as well as performances from Ferrier winner Sarah-Jane Lewis, sopranos Ruth Jenkins-Robertsson and Raphaela Papadakis, and Michael Dore, Ria Jones and the West End's Phantom of the Opera Geronimo Rauch as guests of the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Festival Feature: Benjamin Grosvenor

Just weeks after giving a recital at King’s Lynn Festival pianist Benjamin Grosvenor will feature in the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.

Festival Feature: Hedgecoe Exhibition

Works of one of the foremost portrait photographers of the 20th century, John Hedgecoe, will be exhibited in King's Lynn in a new partnership between the King's Lynn Festival and the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.  The special 65th Festival Exhibition will feature Hedgecoe's iconic photographs of the artists, performers and supporters of the King's Lynn Festival since 1951, including Sir John Betjeman, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Benjamin Britten, Dame Elisabeth Frink, Sir Peter Ustinov and the world's most reproduced photograph of H M The Queen.

Festival Feature: Composer Howard Skempton

The King's Lynn Festival has a long tradition of presenting contemporary classical music in an intimate setting on the first Monday of the 2-week Festival.

This year we are delighted to welcome eminent composer Howard Skempton, in conversation with the Festival's Artistic Director Ambrose Miller.  Join them for a glass of wine on July 13 and enjoy a varied programme of music for clarinet, cello and piano.

Festival Feature: Professor Callum Roberts

Continuing the Festival's association with the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), leading marine conservation biologist Professor Callum Roberts will be presenting a talk entitled Future Oceans: A Sea of Hope or Despair?

Festival Feature: Shakespeare's Songs

Mark the date in your diary - Monday 13 July - and enjoy a unique experience...

The Festival are delighted to welcome the Royal Shakespeare Company's Music Director Bruce O'Neil, to stage a narrated evening of Shakespeare's Songs at King's Lynn's historic Guildhall of St. George, where Shakespeare himself is reputed to have performed 422 years ago.

Festival Feature: Fringe Events

Every year we are delighted to have Fringe events associated with the Festival.  This year's highlights include a 70th anniversary exhibition by the King's Lynn Art Club, an open air performance by The Lord Chamberlain's Men and a playlet by Gareth Calway.  For a full list of our Fringe events, see the Fringe tab on our What's On page.  Many of them are organised locally with free admission or small donation, and its a great way for the whole family to explore local arts and culture this summer.

Festival Feature: Capercaillie

A major force in Celtic music for the last 30 years, Capercaillie are performing at the King's Lynn Corn Exchange on Tuesday 21 July.

Friday's Winter Season Finale!

With more lovely sunshine forecast, spring is definitely here, and so the King’s Lynn Festival Winter Season comes to a close this Friday with a violin and piano recital by award-winning Scottish violinist Michael Foyle and Estonia’s Maksim Stsura.

Festival Event: Special Evening Visit to Sainsbury Centre's Francis Bacon and the Masters Exhibition

The Festival is delighted to be working in partnership with the   Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts (SCVA) in 2015.  In addition to curating this year’s exhibition “   John Hedgecoe: Face of the Artist” the SCVA is offering our supporters an exclusive evening trip to their latest ground-breaking exhibition Francis Bacon and the Masters.  

Fundraising Walk - Discovering Lynn's Hanseatic World

We are pleased to announce a second guided walk by Dr Paul Richards, following the qucik sell-out of tickets for the first one.

65th King's Lynn Festival Line-up announced

One of the most exciting and ambitious King’s Lynn Festival programmes will celebrate the 65th Festival on July 12-25.

A wide-ranging programme of classical music, jazz, folk, talks and films was announced at a press launch at Bank House Hotel today.  The Festival will include four orchestras, trumpet virtuoso Crispian Steele-Perkins, veteran comedian Barry Cryer, historian and broadcaster Andrew Graham-Dixon.

There are some really special events to look forward to, including:

The BBC Concert Orchestra recording an edition of Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night on July 20.

A Royal Shakespeare Company production of songs written for Shakespeare’s plays, which will be staged in St George’s Guildhall on July 13 – the first time it will have been seen outside Stratford. 

A new exhibition in partnership with The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts which is to loan work of portrait photographer John Hedgecoe.

Swinging at the Cotton Club on July 19 will be an action-packed evening of jazz, song and dance featuring Harry Strutters’ Hot Rhythm Orchestra and the Jiving Lindy Hoppers.

The Festival includes two of the nation's favourite pianists Freddy Kempf and Benjamin Grosvenor, plus rising stars of the classical music world at five coffee concerts.

Adding to the variety Capercaillie will present their unique fusion of Gaelic culture and contemporary folk, popular jazz band King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys, an evening of jive and swing from Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra and the Jiving Lindy Hoppers.

The Festival’s artistic director, Ambrose Miller, described the programme as: “One of the most ambitious we have presented – and it has something for everyone.

Priority booking for Patrons and Friends starts on April 7 and the box office (01553-764864) opens for general booking on April 27.

View full press release here.

Intern Vacancy - Communications and Events

An exciting opportunity to join the busy festival team in our office at Bishop's Lynn House in King's Lynn is being advertised via Job Centre Plus.

Making Music at St Martha's

The Badke Quartet worked with children from St Martha's Catholic Primary School, King's Lynn, ahead of their performance on Friday.  Inspired by Haydn's Quartet No.2 Opus 77, with help from community musician Jane Wells and Jessica Berners from Norfolk Music Service, here is what the children composed:

Three Fantastic Fridays in the Festival's Winter Season

The Summer Festival season may be over, but there are three great concerts in the Winter Season to look forward to, and a special ticket offer to see all 3 for just £30 (Please note this offer is only available via Box Office telephone: 01553 764864).

Friday 28 November 7.30pm
The first concert is the lovely Badke Quartet, returning to King's Lynn after a great performance in our 2011/12 Winter Season.  The Badkes have recently been appointed as the Quartet-in-Residence at Royal Holloway University in London and their new line-up demonstrates impressive individual skills as well as "an unswerving togetherness" - The Strad.

The Badke's programme will take the audience on a musical journey across three centuries, featuring the brilliant Haydn String Quartet in F major, Op.77, No.2, the expressive Ravel String Quartet in F major, and the soulful Beethoven String Quartet in A minor, Op.132.

Friday 6 February 11.00am
A recital in the Festival's popular Coffee Concert format at the Town Hall, young Swiss-born pianist Jean-Sélim Abd‎elmoula will be performing the evocative Debussy Images Book II, the striking Chopin Ballade No.2 in F major and Schubert Sonata in A major D.959. The recital is part of a short UK Tour in February 2015 by Jean-Sélim, who has recently been awarded a Rebanks Fellowship by the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.  He is already establishing himself as a versatile and prizewinning pianist, composer and film composer and is delighted to be performing in King's Lynn for the first time.

Friday 17 April 7.30pm
Violinist Michael Foyle and Pianist Maksim Stsura have developed a strong reputation as a duo despite playing together for a relatively short time.  Their delightful programme includes Mozart Sonata K.379, Beethoven Sonata No.4 in A minor and Brahms Sonata No.3 in D Op.108.

Festival Talks offer something for everyone

Review by Kate Francis

Last night's talk by young adventurer, scientist and sailor Emily Penn highlighted the broad appeal of the year-round talks presented by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in association with King's Lynn Festival.

Emily described her experiences enthusiastically and eloquently - taking the audience on a global journey of discovery - demonstrating how issues we still grapple clumsily with in the developed world, such as waste and pollution, are already taking their toll on remote communities of the Pacific Ocean.  From her first encounter with a beach full of tiny bits of plastic, to the decomposed remains of a magnificent albatross who had starved to death because its stomach was so full of plastic there was no room for food, Emily has been hands-on in championing waste management in the remotest islands of Kiribati.

Adventure on the High Seas – without getting wet!

This year’s opening day of King’s Lynn Festival’s Winter Season will have a distinctly salty flavour.  On Tuesday 21 October at 2.30pm, the King’s Lynn Community Cinema Club in association with the festival invite you to take your seat (and hold onto it!) for Robert Redford’s incredible solo sailing film “All is Lost”.  Then, at 7.30pm, real-life adventurer and zero waste champion Emily Penn presents an inspiring illustrated talk, sharing her insights on how remote island communities in the Pacific are adapting to their changing world, and how tackling global issues on an island scale can help us see solutions to problems in our own society.

Find out more and book tickets at www.kingslynnfestival.org.uk /whats-on

View the Royal Geographical Society's Press Release from the start of Emily Penn's lecture tour

New: Education and Schools page

Many musicians featured at our Festival started young - for example   Charlotte Scott from the  Badke Quartet began playing the violin at the age of seven.  Just three years later, she appeared as soloist in the Beethoven Romance with the National Children’s Orchestra.  We want to help insipre the next generation of musicians in the West Norfolk area through involvement in the Festival.  Read more in our new  Education & Schools section.

Seeking Local Charity for Bucket Collection

The King’s Lynn Festival hosts a bucket collection at one of its key evening performances at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange each July.

Applications from any registered charity working in the West Norfolk area who would like to organise their own bucket collection at an evening event in July 2015.  Applicants from charities benefitting local people are preferred.  In previous years, charities such as the Norfolk Hospice and St Nicholas’ Chapel have collected £250-£450 from festival patrons.

Any interested charities should email  ema@kingslynnfestival.org.uk by Monday 29 September in the first instance. Applications will be considered by the Festival’s Board of Trustees in October.

Thank you!

 ...To everyone who supported the festival this year through
buying tickets
performing
donating
corporate sponsorship
private sponsorship
grant giving
publicity
stewarding
hospitality
office and technical support
in-kind contributions
and of course our festival friends

Watch a short animation of this year's festival

THE 2015 KING'S LYNN FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD FROM 12-25 JULY... FURTHER DETAILS AVAILABLE SOON!

64th King's Lynn Festival a success

The 64th King’s Lynn Festival was declared an artistic and financial success after the final concert by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday.

Artistic director Ambrose Miller said: “It has been a consistently top level festival from start to finish with internationally-renowned artists alongside excellent young talent who are the stars of the future.

“Festival lectures have all been fascinating and we’ve also had some splendid lighter entertainment. It has been a festival to remember,” he said.

Some 5,500 people bought tickets for 25 events, more than a third of which were sell-outs, said Festival chairman Alison Croose.

“The programme’s diverse appeal has certainly attracted new audiences. We anticipate that our box office targets will be achieved so the festival breaks even.”

She said visitors had travelled from all over the country, and from abroad, specifically to attend the festival. “While organising a wide-ranging programme to interest people in West Norfolk we are also determined to play a key role in keeping this Festival Town on the map and continuing to draw visitors from far and wide to fill local hotels, restaurants and car parks during festival fortnight.”

One highlight had been the visit of the Festival President, the Duke of Kent, to the concert by the Navarra String Quartet.

The high calibre of participating artists had been underlined when the BBC appealed for soprano Louise Alder to be released from her Lynn Festival concert at the 11th hour to take a leading role at the BBC Proms, said Mrs Croose.

Festival activity had extended beyond the concert hall with four free Buy a Beer concerts attended by dozens of people.

Music was also taken to Churchill Park School in Lynn where conductor John Lubbock and three musicians from the Orchestra of St John’s played for nearly 100 youngsters with complex needs who were able to enjoy - and conduct - the music.

Mrs Croose said teachers were delighted that such a valuable experience was offered to students by festival musicians and it was an activity the festival hoped to repeat. 

Local authority funding was critical to the festival’s survival, said Mrs Croose who thanked the borough and county councils plus the business and private sponsors who made possible a significant number of events. She also thanked the army of volunteers for their active support.

The 2015 Festival will be held on July 12-25.

Festival comes to the Rescue of the BBC Proms!

King’s Lynn Festival has come to the rescue of the BBC Proms by releasing a singer due to perform at a festival concert tomorrow (Tues July 22) so she can step into a major role in the Proms.

The BBC appealed to Lynn Festival organisers to allow Louise Alder –who has been hailed as “a radiant performer” – to make an 11th hour appearance in Glyndebourne’s production of Der Rosenkavalier from which a soprano has had to withdraw.

Festival artistic director Ambrose Miller said: “It would have been churlish to deny a young artist such an opportunity. Fortunately the festival has been able to bring in another equally high calibre singer to perform a different but very attractive programme.”

“This chain of events also highlights the quality and reputation of the artists we bring to Lynn Festival,” Mr Miller added.

Louise Alder, runner-up for the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier prize, will be replaced at Tuesday’s morning coffee concert in Lynn Town Hall by another Ferrier runner-up, baritone Benedict Nelson who has sung in the Wigmore Hall, in English National Opera productions and in major European opera houses. With pianist Joseph Middleton, described as “one of the brightest stars in the world of song and lieder” Benedict Nelson will present a programme including Schumann’s song cycle Dichterliebe and Vaughan-Williams’ Songs of Travel.

See here for more details of the concert.

Visit www.kingslynnfestival.org.uk or call the festival box office on 01553-764864.

Duke of Kent attends King's Lynn Festival

The Duke of Kent, president of King’s Lynn Festival, attended Thursday evening’s (July 17) festival concert by the Navarra String Quartet in St George’s Guildhall.

The occasion was the Ruth Fermoy Memorial Concert in memory of the festival’s founder and was sponsored by Mary Roche, daughter of Lady Fermoy, and by Festival Private Patrons.

The quartet was formed in 2002 at the Royal Northern College of Music by students from England and the Netherlands. They have an international reputation as one of the most dynamic string quartets of today.

Festival chairman Alison Croose said: “We were delighted to welcome the Duke who clearly shared the appreciation of the whole audience in a memorable performance of music by Mozart, Borodin and Schubert.”

Borough Mayor and Mayoress Barry and Christine Ayres welcomed the Duke on his arrival.

Step Back 600 Years for All Saints Concert

A former leader of West Norfolk Jubilee Youth Orchestra will return to King's Lynn on Tuesday 22 July with her own music group to perform at a King’s Lynn Festival event.

Lizzie Gutteridge will bring Blondel, her Renaissance wind band, to All Saints Church on Tuesday at 7pm to present a programme entitled Eternal Summer.

Her music career began while she was a student at Springwood High School, but much of her enthusiasm for early music came from her father, Chris Gutteridge, and his close involvement with Lynn Waits.

Lizzie said Blondel’s programme would be very lively. “Fifteenth century music has a rhythmic drive and is really toe-tapping. It is also fascinating because of the complexities of the tribal rhythms,” she said.

Lizzie met her two fellow musicians at the Guildhall School of Music. She said their performance would be very visual because they all play shawms, bagpipes and recorders of various sizes.

“The intimate church setting will be ideal because we talk about the pieces and explain what we are playing,” she said.

Tickets from the Festival box office on 01553 764864 or online

Blondel will also give one of four free Buy a Beer concerts which will take the Festival’s classical music to audiences in Lynn’s hotel and pub bars. Blondel are to play on the pedestrianised space at the Tuesday Market Place or in the Duke’s Head Hotel if it is wet. Their shorter programme, on Tuesday 22 July at 1pm will be different from the one they play at the All Saints concert. 

King's Lynn Pupils Conduct World Famous Orchestra

Youngsters at a West Norfolk School had the chance to try their hand at conducting music played by classical musicians during a school “celebration day”.

John Lubbock, conductor of the internationally-famous Orchestra of St John’s, and three of the orchestra’s string players held a workshop at Churchill Park School for pupils with complex needs at King’s Lynn.

Their visit was arranged in conjunction with the orchestra’s performance at a King’s Lynn Festival concert in the Minster Church on Tuesday evening. (Tues July 15)

Mr Lubbock, who has an autistic son and frequently works with young people with learning difficulties, encouraged students aged from seven to 15 to try their hand at conducting the music – and met with an enthusiastic response.

Class teacher Clara Smith, said:” We have had visits from other musicians but they have never heard classical music before. It quite clearly has a calming effect on the children and they enjoy the music.

“We try and give them a variety of experiences of music and theatre so are delighted to have classical musicians here,” she said.

About 60 youngsters were able to join in the workshop during a “day of celebration” as the summer holiday approaches.

Festival chairman Alison Croose said: “We were delighted to provide this opportunity for youngsters at Churchill Park and it was great to see their positive response to the music and to Mr Lubbock’s invitation to them to try their hand at conducting.”

Festival Friends make fantastic savings.....

Friends of the Festival will be enjoying exclusive discounts at FOUR top notch eateries in this years King's Lynn Festival.

From Sunday 13 - 26 July the following restaurants are offering fantastic savings to Friends and Sponsors who have a 'SUPPORTERS CARD'.

RATHSKELLER

20% discount on food

01553 773713 · www.hansehouse.co.uk/services/barbistro

Rathskeller Wine Bar & Bistro

1 Hanse House, South Quay, King’s Lynn PE30 5GN

THE MARKET BISTRO

10% discount on food - excl. Fri/Sat evenings

01553 771483 · www.marketbistro.co.uk

Market Bistro, 11 Saturday Market Place King's Lynn PE30 5DQ

BANK HOUSE HOTEL, BAR & BRASSERIE

10% discount on food only - excl. drinks

 01553 660492 ·  www.thebankhouse.co.uk

Bank House Hotel, King’s Staithe Square, King’s Lynn PE30 1RD

RIVERSIDE RESTAURANT

10% discount on food - excl. drinks

01553 773134 · www.theriversiderestaurantkingslynn.co.uk

The Riverside Restaurant, 27 King Street, King’s Lynn PE30  1ET

Pre-booking is essential.  Please request your Supporters discount card at the time of booking and show your membership card on arrival.

World-Class Musicians and a World Premiere

King’s Lynn Festival audiences can look forward to memorable concerts by world-class musicians during the forthcoming feast of music and the arts featuring musicians and orchestras which maintain the Festival’s tradition of excellence, including the Orchestra of St John’s.  The Festival's Artistic Director Ambrose Miller said the Orchestra's programme would include Tchaikovsky’s “wonderfully romantic” Serenade for Strings. “The work will be fascinating to hear alongside Mendelssohn’s youthful Violin Concerto performed by outstanding young violinist Mathilde Milwidsky,” Mr Miller said.

On Thursday July 17 the Navarra String Quartet, described by Mr Miller as “one of the best young string quartets in the world” who have played at many major international venues, will be at St George’s Guildhall.  Their international reputation is especially appropriate as they will present the Ruth Fermoy memorial Concert in memory of the festival’s founder.  The musicians are from England and the Netherlands and met at the Royal Northern College of Music. Their programme will include Schubert’s Quartet, Death and the Maiden.

Also, a specially commissioned fanfare celebrating the artistic and cultural links between King’s Lynn and the French town of Amiens will launch the 64th King’s Lynn Festival on Sunday July 13.  The prize-winning Fairey Brass band will perform the world premiere of the short and lively work entitled Burlesques, written by award-winning 35-year-old composer Karl Fiorini, a Maltese-born musician now resident in Paris.  The composition of Burlesques was made possible with a grant from the European Commission.

Click here for further information in our Press Section

Burney Day 19 July

The 200th anniversary of Burney’s death is being marked by a special Charles Burney Day on July 19 during this year's King’s Lynn Festival.

Musician and composer Dr Charles Burney was treated as a “pop idol” of the day when he lived and worked in King’s Lynn in the 18th century but his influence continues to underline the town’s position on the cultural map.

• Find out more at the Burney Day Lecture
• Hear Burney's music played on the organ he commissioned
• Read more about the Festival's Burney Day

A wonderful evening of maps and anecdotes from the Pyrenees to the Pennines

Nicholas Crane, geographer, adventurer and TV presenter will return to the destination of his first solo expedition when he appears at King’s Lynn Festival in July.

As a 14-year-old he cycled from his home near Norwich to Lynn at the start of a three-day adventure. He stayed at the town’s youth hostel then continued to Sheringham and its youth hostel before completing the circuit home.

“It was the first time I had used a map on my own,” said Nick who learned much about the skills of using a map and compass from his father, an enthusiastic mountaineer.

Nick's Festival lecture on July 16, entitled Maplines, presented in conjunction with the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), explores the way maps open the door to geographical enlightenment.

“It will includes lots of anecdotes from my journeys and film shoots ranging from the Hindu Kush and Tibet to the Pyrenees and the Pennines,” he said.

There are still some tickets available for Nick's lecture which can be booked here or by telephoning the Box Office on 01553 764864

Click here for the full story.

Top Notch Comedy Cabaret has local flavour

Norfolk resident and nationally-renowned musical comedy writer and singer, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, has promised his performance at King’s Lynn Festival audience will have a strong local flavour.

Kit and McConnell – pianist James McConnel – have both had homes in Norfolk for many years so are familiar with the characteristics and current issues in the county to add to their vast repertoire of original, topical songs.  In his former guise as Kit and the Widow with a previous performance partner, Kit Hesketh-Harvey appeared at St George’s Guildhall some years ago and is looking forward to his return on Friday July 25.  “It is a great space to play. I love its intimacy. The evening will certainly have local flavour as we both know the county so well,” he said.

Read full story here

Buy tickets here

Free Events at this year's festival

This year we are delighted to support a number of free events to introduce everyone to a varied musical programme in informal settings:

Sunday 13 July, 6pm
The fantastic Fairey Band will perform a short fanfare in the Tuesday Market Place just after 6pm - the premiere of a specially-commissioned piece of music to mark the artisitic and cultural links between King's Lynn and the French town of Amiens. 
You can also see them in concert at the Corn Exchange aftwerwards.

Tuesday 15 July, 2.30pm
One of the festival's many fringe events, the popular Svyati Duo will perform music for organ and cello at King's Lynn Minster. Further information available from 01553 767090.

Sunday 20 July, 4pm-7pm
Enjoy a great afternoon of cocktails and jazz at Bank House Hotel, King's Staithe Square, featuring George King's Festival Trio.

Monday 21 July, 2.15pm
See a 30-minute performance by the award winning Jubilee String Quartet at Bank House Hotel.
Its not too late to grab yourself the last tickets of their full concert on Sunday 20 July.

Tuesday 22 July, 1pm
The wonderful Renaissance wind band Blondel are giving a 30-minute recital on the Tuesday Market Place (or that the Duke's Head Hotel if the weather is bad), These 3 talented musicians use traditional instruments including shawms, recorders, curtals and bagpipes to perform songs and dances evocative of midsummer from a bygone era.
Blondel will also be performing a full concert in All Saints Church that evening. Tickets are still available.

Thursday 24 July, 1.30pm
Internationally acclaimed cellist Oscar Alabau will provide the perfect accompaniment to a relaxing drink or bite to eat at the Farmer's Arms, Knight's Hill Hotel.
There are still a few tickets left for the coffee concert at the Town Hall beforehand, where Oscar will appear with pianist Hannah Watson performing works by R Schumann, Debussy, Chopin and new work by Alex Woolf.

Friday 25 July, 1pm
Catch a short programme of chamber music performed by Eblana String Trio at the Rathskeller Bar & Bistro, Hanse House, South Quay. 
Eblana will be joined by exceptionally versatile pianist Andrew Dunlop for the coffee concert at the Town Hall, performing Mozart Piano Quartet in E flat K.493, Brahms Piano Quartet in C minor Op.60 and new work by Rhiannon Randle.

There are also a number of free exhibitions including:
West Norfolk Artists Association Festival Exhibition
Archaeology Exhibition at King's Lynn Minster on Saturday 19 July
Dersingham Pottery & Gallery Exhibition at 48 Chapel Road, Dersingham, from 5 July throughout the summer
Photography Exhibition at Caithness Crystal Visitor Centre, from 7 July to 2 August
Personal Expressions textile exhibition
King's Lynn Art Club at the Old Warehouse Gallery, Arts Centre from 11 July to 26 July
Embroiderer's Guild "Flower Art" exhibition at Red Cross Hall, Austin Fields on Saturday 12 July & Sunday 13 July
 

Fundraising Walk - new date added - 4th July 2014

Georgian Lynn and the Brilliant Burney Family – A walk with Dr. Paul Richards 4^th July 2014

Meet at St. Nicholas’ Chapel 6.30pm

Tickets £10 per person with a glass of wine at Clifton House

Limited to 30 people – Advance Bookings only from 01553 767557

Due to popular demand Dr Paul Richards has very kindly agreed to run a further ‘Burney’ walk with proceeds going to the King’s Lynn Festival.                                                                                                   

This year marks the tercentenary of George I ascending the British throne to open the Georgian Age and the bicentenary of the death of Dr Charles Burney (1726-1814).  Charles arrived in Lynn in 1751 to become organist at St Margaret’s. He was soon a ‘star’ in the town and district where “the best families” sought his services as a music tutor, though his work as a historian and composer was paramount.

Dr Burney’s equally famous novelist daughter, Fanny, was born in Chapel Street in 1752. The family moved to High Street and Charles and Fanny were associated with several merchant houses in Georgian Lynn as well as the Town Hall and St Margaret’s. Visits to these significant locations highlight the tour. 

The tour ends at Clifton House at 8pm followed by a glass of wine in the garden.

The King’s Lynn Festival is very grateful to the owners of Clifton House - Dr. Simon Thurley & Dr. Anna Keay and Hayes & Storr Solicitors who have kindly sponsored the event.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THIS EVENT PLEASE CONTACT THE FESTIVAL OFFICE ON 01553 767557.

Box Office opens Monday

King’s Lynn Festival organisers are expecting ticket sales to get off to a flying start when the box office for this year’s event, being staged on July 13-26, opens on Monday. (April 28).

There has already been much public enthusiasm for this summer’s wide-ranging programme and there was a queue outside the Corn Exchange when priority booking started last Monday (April 14).

High levels of interest were reflected in brisk box office business as concert-goers snapped up tickets to see and hear the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, pianist John Lill, Clare Teal with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, the Fairey Brass Band, the Orchestra of St John’s, guitarist Craig Ogden with The London Tango Quintet and cabaret duo, Kit and McConnel.

“We have already received a lot of positive comments about the great breadth of interest in the programme and anticipate that enthusiasm will be translated into a busy box office,” said Festival chairman, Alison Croose.

2014 Brochure

Brochure now available online!

You can now easily browse our brochure online and help save printing and postage costs.

Of course, if you would prefer to have a hard copy, you can still  request a brochure from us or pick one up from libraries and tourist information centres in West Norfolk. 

Welcome to our new website!

After months of feverish development behind the scenes, we’re pleased to launch our new website. We think you’ll find that it has a fresh new look and that is more streamlined and easier to navigate. You’ll still be able to find out about news and developments, and more importantly, book for all shows which go on sale on April 28th!

We like to extend our thanks to Steele Media with whom we have worked so closely on this project. They've done a fantastic job and we're looking forward to continued work with them.

Some great new features on our website include the improved What’s On section, where you can see a handy list with all our events, plus the option to filter your search by different performance genre.  When you click on a listed event you can now buy a ticket, find out more information on the venue and the artists (you can even watch videos or follow them through social media networks).  You can use your Facebook or Twitter accounts to leave comments for us.  New feature boxes and a news feed on our Home Page make is easier to find out important information quickly, you can sign up to a new email newsletter service  and view our brochure online.   And another great thing – our new website now scales down on mobile devices, so you can still access all the features of the Kings Lynn Festival website when you’re on the move!

But we're not finished with the site - this is only the start. There's plenty more that we'd like to do and no doubt there will be things that we need to tidy up or tweak. Over the next few months we will continue to update and improve the site with online Friends enrolment, blogs and new links to local information and amenities.

We're keen to hear your thoughts so that we can continue to develop the site with our users in mind, so have a look around, and if you have any comments or queries, please contact us.