AFTER getting off to storming start, Hebden Bridge Arts Festival moves into its second week with a scintillating programme of music, drama, exhibitions and poetry.
There's a cool mix of blues and jazz from the Roger Higgins Band with Gary Boyle on July 2, superb acoustic guitar sounds from Preston Reed on July 3, the string wizardry of My Sweet Patootie on July 4 and virtuoso flamenco-jazz guitarist Edward Nieb
la on July 8. All four events are at Hebden Bridge Trades Club, where you can enjoy a pint of specially brewed Festivale.
Music will also feature strongly in events at Wainsgate Chapel and Heptonstall Church. Wainsgate Chapel will be the venue for a fascinating show of dance and vocal music by period performance ensemble Arioso on July 3 at 3pm to celebrate the opening of the packhorse bridge in Hebden Bridge in 1510.
Heptonstall Church will host a concert by the Hepton Singers on July 3 which again will mark the bridge's 500th anniversary, a lunchtime concert by cellist Miriam Roycroft and pianist Anne-Marie Hastings on July 4 and an afternoon recital by members of Square Chapel's Piano Club on July 4. Music-lovers are also certain to enjoy 500 Voices featuring local choirs singing in Bridge Gate on July 4 at 2pm. Festival co-ordinator Rebecca Yorke said: "Following the success of Words on the Street in 2008, we could think of no better way for this year's Festival to celebrate the anniversary of the bridge than by gathering together for a bit of singing. Daniel Bath has composed a new song called 'Cross the River' which we hope will be sung by as many people as possible!"
For literature fans novelists Alison Weir and Suzannah Dunn will talk about their work on the Tudors at Hebden Bridge Little Theatre on July 5 and Rosie Lugosi's Poetry Slam will offer something completely different at Nelson's on July 4.
Hebden Shorts, six short plays by writers based in Hebden Bridge, are sold out on July 9 and 10 but 'pay what you want' tickets will be available on the door at the Little Theatre on July 8 from 7pm.
In addition there is the Open Studios trail, the Open Gardens weekend and a packed programme of exhibitions by painters and photographers, including contemporary and traditional artworks at St Michael's Church Hall, Mytholmroyd, on July 3 and 4.
Hebden Bridge Arts Festival runs until July 11. Postal and online booking is available and tickets can be bought at the box office in Albert Street, Hebden Bridge. Visit www.hbaf.co.uk for the latest information.
