THERE is only one week to go until the launch of the 49th Calne Music and Arts Festival and as ever, the programme is packed with some incredible events to attend.
Calne Music and Arts Festival (CMAF) is a community celebration of music and the arts, it takes place over a ten-day period at the beginning of October each year and is run by entirely by a team of volunteers and supported by local sponsors.
The festival aims not only to provide entertainment for the people of Calne and surrounding villages, but also to promote local musical and artistic talent. It was inaugurated in 1974 and has grown substantially over the years, showcasing some exceptional talent, whilst reaching a wide cross section of the community.
This year the festival will run from 6th - 15th October, with many of the events taking place at Marden House which will be home to the art exhibition for the duration of the festival. Showcasing hundreds of pieces from beginners to internationally exhibiting artists from in and around Calne, the exhibition is well worth a visit.
On Saturday 7th October, the popular Free Family Day will be taking place in Marden House from 11am to 4pm. Kindly sponsored by The Hills Group Ltd, there will be a 360-degree immersive Theatre Dome experience, Calne Samba Band, Clare’s Circus, a variety of activities by Calne Wordfest, Music and Art workshops throughout the day, an art treasure hunt, stilt walker and more. With refreshments and light lunches available to purchase from the cafe. Children must be supervised at all times.
There is a choice of entertainment on Saturday evening, two-piece band, Truckstop Honeymoon will be performing in Marden House at 7.30pm - their music combines elements of bluegrass, music hall, jazz, and straight up rock’n’roll, they tell stories about the strangeness of everyday life. Mike and Katy met in New Orleans and after a Courthouse wedding, hit the road and spent their wedding night in a truck stop between Lafayette and the Atchafalaya Swamp.
Alternatively, you may prefer to see Calne Choral Society perform Fauré's Requiem in St Mary's Church at 7.30pm. This popular work was begun in 1887, which was within a year of the formation of Calne Choral Society, which now is one of the oldest in England. Fauré said of his Requiem, "Everything I managed to entertain by way of religious illusion I put into my Requiem", which was reflected in his not completing what he regarded as his finished work until 1901. The French theme will continue with a short set of songs by Fauré, complimented by others from his contemporaries.
The programme is packed with diverse events, exhibitions, talks and shows throughout the ten days - from a drink and draw event and a stand-up comedy show to piano recitals, opera and local school performances - check the link below for the full listing - there really is something for everyone.
The Festival wine bar at Marden House is open before evening events and for interval drinks.
Light lunches, snacks and drinks will be available throughout the Family Day, Saturday 7th October.
Coffee and cakes are also available on weekday evenings after the main event when there is a free late evening concert. Light lunches will be served following the weekday lunchtime concerts.
Full programme can be found here: https://www.cmaf.org.uk/programme
And a round of applause for this year's sponsors of the CMAF:
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