Big Success of the 2017 Horsham Festival
With mostly good weather the second Horsham Festival proved to be a big success. Some seventy events took place between July 8th and 16th, which were attended by thousands of people over the nine days.
We’re proud to say that all six areas of the arts the Festival aims to support, were showcased in a wide variety of events.
Dance was depicted across Horsham District in a number of styles including ‘modern’, put on by Terra Nova, Young Haods and Upbeat Dance; ‘Appalachian’ and ‘Sun Oak’ clog dancing; ‘exotic interpretations’ by Dancing Roses and Chameleon Belly Dancers; and a variation of traditional English dances by Magog, Black Dragon and Broadwood Morris troupes.
Music featured an equally eclectic selection: Dame Felicity Lott performed songs from opera to cabaret at the Capitol; classical music was showcased at Shipley Arts Festival, and performed by the Bernardi Academy and Horsham Symphony Orchestra; jazz, swing and blues was featured at the Horsham Garden Music Festival and the George and Dragon; and quirky songs and foot tapping tunes were delivered by members of Horsham Folk Club.
Drama took place in Horsham park, the Human Nature Garden and the Capitol and included workshops by the JN Theatre Group; an adaptation of The Tempest by Claire Packham with fellow sixth form colleagues; comedic interpretations by Theatre 48; a short stage production by HAODS; and a youthful performances by Young HAODS & Terra Nova.
Visual Art saw displays and a workshop at the Horsham Museum by the Association For Sussex Artists; an excellent Art Trail by members of HAOS; and a week-long exhibition of some outstanding pictures at the Roffey Institute. The Eco-Beast sculpture competition, which encouraged exhibitors from schools and youth groups across West Sussex to construct models from household waste, had its final judging on the Funday Sunday Community Stage as well as creating a memorable display.
Literature was showcased with some prestigious events including a question and answer session with the locally born Matt Charman who is now a Hollywood screenwriter, playwright and director; an evening with the author Juliet West; and a writing workshop.
Digital technology featured in well-attended and highly appreciated workshops and displays put on by Hack Horsham and the local Code Club demonstrating the 21st century world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics).
Other event highlights included the hugely successful Funday Sunday that was jointly organised by the Horsham Festival and Horsham Rotary Club drawing, it has been estimated, some 11,000 people to the Carfax and Park on Sunday 9th July; a wine and chocolate pairing evening at Manning’s Heath Golf Club; and the annual Riverside Walk round Horsham.