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WELCOME TO FOLKESTONE FESTIVALS

Great news – although all our events in June and July had to be cancelled during the coronavirus uncertainties – we are excited and delighted that our Sunday Bandstand Events will be re-starting on Sunday 9th August on the Folkestone Bandstand from 2.30 to 4.30pm.

Do come along and listen to Victoria Bass and Andy offering you live piano and vintage vocals playing songs through the decades from the 1920’s to 2020’s in a jazzy style.

Due to the present climate there will be certain measures in place to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment. Hand Sanitisers will be on site for your use. Deckchairs will be provided as usual set out in pairs with 1m distance between each pair of chairs. Do bring your own chairs, blankets, picnic, food and drinks, and settle down near the Bandstand as directed and enjoy an afternoon of fun and enjoyment. We look forward to seeing you.

THE NEXT EVENTS WILL BE:

AUGUST – SUNDAY 16TH & SEPTEMBER SUNDAY 6TH – NICK BENNETT – A solo/acoustic performer, who supported Brian McFadden (Westlife / TV personality) on his UK & IRE tour last year, along with the X-Factor’s Luke Friend, before opening for the show’s winner, Ben Haenow. He has also supported many other bands too, including Suede, Everything Everything and Morcheeba, with his own songs aired on BBC radio and TF1 (France’s  TV Ch 1). He also plays many pubs, clubs, hotels, bars and restaurants around the UK, as a full time professional, where he plays all cover versions. He will play a full 2 hour+ set of popular covers on Folkestone bandstand; performing songs by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Jam, The Kinks, Oasis, The Who, The Smiths, Johnny Cash etc.

AUGUST – SATURDAY 22ND – THE DUKES OF SWING  – SWING BAND AND JAZZ DUO – The Dukes of Swing play a great selection of tracks from the 40’s and 50’s, made famous by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Sammie Davis Junior, Dean Martin and Tony Bennett (and more recently Michael Buble, Robbie Williams and Jamie Cullum). They are fronted by Benjamin Lock; a charismatic and smooth sounding jazz singer from Kent with experience of performing all over the UK at top venues and clubs. The line-up also consists of the hugely talented Chris Kennedy on Piano, Darren Reynolds on Double Bass and Mark Stitson on Drums. Our repertoire consists of popular swing/jazz songs both old and new including: Fly Me To The Moon, Come Fly With Me, Mondance, I Get a Kick Out of You, Mr Bojangles, Mack The Knife, Moonlight in Vermont, What a Difference a Day Makes, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, King of the Swingers, Have You Met Miss Jones, Cry Me a River, Straighten Up and Fly Right, The Way You Look Tonight, Beyond The Sea, Girl From Ipenema, Yes Sir That’s my Baby, The Lady is a Tramp, Night and Day and Hit the Road Jack… just to name a few!

AUGUST – SUNDAY 23RD – COLJONES 7 – Humour, fun, repartee and of course great jazz mark The Coljones Seven’s style. You will thoroughly enjoy listening to Kent’s Number 1 Swing & Party Band – not to be missed!

AUGUST – SUNDAY 30TH – STEVE BELL – 50 minute musical trip in solo guitar music from the era of Henry VIII to the present; 20 minute break followed by 50 minutes of other music of the 20’s and 40’s. The play-list for today’s music – the “Key in Time” programme.

 

The Monthly ArtMart Craft & Art market in Bouverie Place Shopping Centre Plaza restarted on Friday 30th July and will continue on the last Friday of each month.

FOLKESTONE FESTIVALS LAUNCHES IT’S 2020 EVENTS PROGRAMME

Folkestone Festivals are pleased to announce details of their 2020 programme of fantastic free events for the town of Folkestone.

Following the success of last year’s Vintage Music Festival we are delighted that this will occur once again on the Bandstand on Saturday 11th July 2020. The Music Festival will open at 10am. At 11am Steve Bell will be performing “A Key In Time” which is a 60 minute musical trip in solo guitar music from the era of Henry VIII to present, and again at 1pm.  He will be followed at 12 noon by a performance from Vintage Ruby, a professional Jazz, Blues & Swing singer based in Folkestone. Her repertoire covers songs from the 1920s to the present day. Ruby has a beautifully soft jazz voice, reminiscent of the classic jazz and blues singers of the 1930s & 1940s. She will repeat this performance again at 2pm.

The rest of the afternoon we plan to have the Folkestone Community Swing Band performing for us once again, and the swinging sound of two vintage voices harmonizing together to form the Dulcettes.

Classic vehicles will also provide static displays. Vintage amusements, Punch and Judy Shows and a host of other things will make the day go with a swing! Stall holders selling vintage and retro goods as well as craft and food will add to the ambiance of the event. Dressing up in the style of the era is also welcome.  There are numerous local music groups, dancers and singers and Folkestone Festivals would welcome interest from potential participants.  

Sunday 12th July sees the return of The UK U105kg Strongest Man Competition.

On Saturday 27th June, is the Mariners Cake Off Competition Fun Day. Please note we have moved this event from September to June to benefit from better weather conditions.  Sponsored by The Mariner (to support the work of The Beacon School in Folkestone) this event will be held on Folkestone’s Stade by the picturesque fishing harbour. There will be a Baking Competition, a variety of music and entertainment, face painting and Punch & Judy with food, craft & gift stalls.

These great events complement Folkestone Festivals’ regular events with Music at the Bandstand commencing Sunday May 24th through to September 6th and the brilliant monthly ArtMarts which take place on the last Friday of the month from March to November with a special Christmas date of December 18th.

Enquiries are welcome from those who would like to take part. For stalls contact neville@folkestonefestivals.org and for entertainment and other information; john@folkestonefestivals.org

2020 FOLKESTONE ARTMARTS

* Last Friday of the month at Bouverie Place Shopping Centre

28th March

24th April

29th May

26th June

31st July

28th August

25th September

30th October

27th November 

18th December 

*Please note that the event programme is subject to change on the day and many are weather dependent but all are family, friendly and fun.

LEAS BANDSTAND PROGRAMME 2020 

*Taking place on Sundays unless otherwise stated, performances from 2.30PM to 4.30PM.

24th May – Bracknell & Wokingham Community Band 

31st May – East Peckham Silver Band

June 6th -(Saturday) Folkestone Community Swing Band

7th June – Ashford Concert Band

14th June – Hythe Town Concert Band 

20th June – (Saturday) Invicta Jazz Orchestra 

21st June – TBC  

28th June – ARMED FORCES DAY

5th July – TBC

11th July – (Saturday) Vintage Musical Festival

12th July – UK Strongest Man Competition

18th July – (Saturday) UK Paper Band 

19th July – 1st Whitstable Scouts Group Band

26th July – Invicta Concert Band

2nd August – Faversham Mission Brass Band

9th August – Birchington Silver Band

16th August – Second Wind Concert Band

23rd August – Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band

30th August- UK Paper Band 

6th September- City of Canterbury Band

*Please note that the event programme is subject to change on the day and many are weather dependent but all are family, friendly and fun.

THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO IN FOLKESTONE

Check out the video featuring some of the highlights from the 2015/2016 events and one video highlighting the 2014 Folkestone events, or click the gallery to re-visit previous Folkestone Festivals. 

 The Folkestone Festival website will provide all of the up-to-date information regarding the many impressive events we are involved with this year, keep checking back with us to make sure you do not miss out.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the other various organisations working hard to schedule brilliant events for the benefit of Folkestone.