Frome Festival begins this week with a stellar line-up of performances, workshops and activities, bringing the community together and celebrating arts and culture, and runs from Thursday 6th July to Sunday 16th July.
With over 200 events taking place across 10 days, Frome will turn into a festival town with live music, comedy, theatre, talks, food, literature and art filling its venues. New this year is the festival’s first poetry competition, honouring the life of local poet, Crysse Morrison, who died last year.
There will be an array of musical performances including big shows by Newton Faulkner; Asian Dub Foundation and India’s biggest cultural and musical export, Raghu Dixit; plus more.
Or if comedy is your thing, have a laugh with Miles Jupp and Sophie Duker. Talks will be held by the likes of John Hegley, who presents Biscuits of Destiny and celebrated historian William Dalrymple, who will give this year’s annual Bob Morris lecture.
Local groups such as Frome Writers Collective, Frome Drama Club and Frome Symphony Orchestra are also holding events and popular fixtures return; wander into some of the town’s most creative garden spaces in the Hidden Gardens trail, follow the Open Art Trail or attend the famous festival food feast.
Director of the festival, Adam Laughton said, “This year’s feast is the ninth annual iteration organised by Tracey Rawlins, who has masterminded this event and continued its success at the heart of the festival programme. From the traditional opening procession by the Street Bandits, to a great selection of bands on the outdoor stage, enjoy fantastic music throughout the evening and sample foods from around the world.”
This year’s festival also features Ring Out, which is a project exploring Frome’s churches and their bells.
Many of the festival’s events are free or low-cost, supported by the National Lottery Community Fund. Adam said, “With accessible activity taking place every day of the festival, more people than ever before will be able to experience the joys of live music, art, literature and theatre, as well as a busy programme for families and younger children.”
See inside for a complete list of events taking place during the festival.
