Ashley Wood Festival 2013

Patron: Ralph Fiennes Artistic director: Jim Driscoll

"This is what all festivals should be like" (Fyfe Dangerfield)

Violin and dulcimer duo Moon and Grace to perform on 28th September

I saw this fantastic duo play at Oxford's Catweazle Club, where they performed an impromptu set after their narrow boat was stranded. I was blown away by their performance and am delighted that they are able to perform at this year's folk music evening.

Michele O'Brien with The Spice Box at August festival

Actor, street performer, and storyteller Michele O'Brien will be presenting her fascinating show The Spice Box on August 10th to round off our Family Theatre Festival. The Spice Box has appeared at a number of festivals around the south and has always gone down a storm with its mixture of puppetry and storytelling, involving pirates, kidnap, and nutmeg, from a time when spice was more valuable than gold.

www.micheleobrien.co.uk

Tisbus runs from the station

The Tisbus (the local community bus) will be meeting the train at Tisbury station at 2 and 6 on Saturday July 6th, and running back down to the station from the festival site in time to catch the last train at 10. Note - there will be no Tisbus service for ZAUM on the 5th July, since the performance is not going to finish in time for the last train.

Zaum and The Phantom of the Opera

A real treat for film and music fans. A rare showing of the 1925 silent film classic Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Cheney, with a live improvised soundtrack by Zaum, described by the Penguin Guide to Jazz as 'the most exciting group operating in Europe today' in their last ever performance. 8pm, Friday 5th July. Tickets just £8 (£6 conc) are available here.

Zaum website

Flint @ Ashley Wood

Flint, the festival of comtemporary theatre and dance work that took place in Salisbury and Corsham in 2012, is coming to Ashley Wood on 10th August. Two Destination Language (resident artists at Salisbury Arts Centre) curate an entertaining and innovative selection of participatory work suitable for all the family. The day also features Curious Company's visually stunning take on Alice in Wonderland (as seen as part of Oxford's Alice celebrations). More details on the day are available here. Special deal on family tickets - see here.

www.twodestinationlanguage.com

Two Destination Language come on board

Interactive theatre artists Two Destination Language, resident artists at Salisbury Arts Centre, have come on board to curate a range of exciting and entertaining performances at our theatre day on the 10th August, featuring a selection of some of the most innovative theatre practitioners from around the country. We are just in the process of firming up performances and will post details to the website as soon as they become available.

www.twodestinationlanguage.com

Amnesty songs to be performed in July

We are very excited to announce that local community choirs Palida and Steam Heat will be performing a set of songs commissioned by Amnesty International at the festival on July 6th. A Candle: Songs of Freedom were first performed in Norwich in 2011 and feature songs by leading composers Helen Chadwick, Sianed Jones, Karen Wimhurst, and Katherine Zeserson.

www.karenwimhurst.co.uk

Singers confirmed for 6th July

Soprano Abigail Kelly and baritone Njabulo Madlala are confirmed as the performers for the Jesse Owens song cycle at Ashley Wood Festival. Abigail Kelly has appeared with Opera South Africa and is currently singing with English Touring Opera; and Njabulo Madlala (winner of the 2010 Kathleen Ferrier Competition) has sung for Opera Holland Park amongst others and has appeared at Sadler's Wells, ROH2, and the Cheltenham Festival.

www.abigailkellysoprano.com

www.njabulomadlala.com

Curious Company confirmed for August family day

The wonderful Curious Company will be participating in our Alice in Wonderland-themed family day on 10th August. Curious Company specialise in visually spectacular participatory theatre, utilising a variety of physical and circus skills.

www.curiouscompany.net

Date confirmed for folk music day

The date for our folk music day has been confirmed as the 28th September. We are currently finalising the line-up for what will be a wonderful day of intimate performances in the magical Barn space at Ashley Wood Farm. If you can't wait until September, then why not come along to our monthly Music Saloon nights at the Crown Inn in Tisbury on the first Thursday of every month. Entrance just £3.50, and featuring our famous raffle.