Lots to enjoy as RyeFestival continues

Andy Stuart, from the Festival Committee, said: “Students from Rye Studio School, Rye College, Winchelsea and Icklesham Primary Schools kicked off the 43rd Annual Rye Arts Festival with a noisy, happy carnival procession through Rye last Friday.

Today, (Friday 19) sees the second week of the Festival with a gig by British electric blues band West Weston’s Bluesonics in the Community Centre. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets are on sale at the door.

“There is more great blues music on Sunday 21st at 4pm in the George from locals Roger Hubbard and Richard Studholme. The gig is free as it is part of the Festival Fringe.

“In a treat for jazz fans, Wednesday legendary British saxophonists Alan Skidmore and Peter King bring their quintet to town to play a tribute to john Coltrane drummer Elvin Jones.

“On Wednesday 24 Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin, who recently won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Duo for 2014 will be playing at The Community Centre.

There is plenty of classical music on the menu, with the Piatti Quartet taking up residency for a week and playing a series of concerts in and around Rye, starting at Iden Church on Saturday evening. If you want a taste of classical music, why not drop into the Queens head in Landgate on Sunday 21st where the Piatti will be playing free in a gig called Beer and Beethoven.

“On Saturday 20 doors open at 3.30pm at Rye College for the annual performance of the young talent at Rye Dance Centre.

“On Tuesday 23rd performing arts students at Rye College are doing the junior version of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods with a 7pm show in the Milligan Theatre,

“Gyles Brandreth is at the Milligan Theatre at 3pm on Sunday 21 to bring his sell-out show from Edinburgh Fringe Festival called Looking for Happiness. On Tuesday 23 at 3pm there is a talk by Vicky Price who was jailed.” More information is available by telephoning the Box Office on 01797 224442 or checking out www.ryeartsfestival.co.uk.