Headline events announced for Thames-side GAP Festival
Goring and Streatley’s GAP Festival has just announced a lively set of headline events.
This summer, between June 7 and 16, the neighbouring villages of Goring and Streatley-on-Thames will host their biennial GAP Festival, featuring more than 50 cultural events, hosted across local venues.
Highlights of the programme, put together by volunteers, includes an evening of humorous anecdotes and dazzling musicianship from one of the world’s leading mandolin players and firm Newbury favourite Simon Mayor and Friends (Friday, June 7).
An intergalactic space day, with out of this world activities including crafty space creations, evening with space scientists, stargazing and planetarium experience has been organised in partnership with local space technology company OrbAstro (Saturday, June 8).
The return of The Children’s Film Festival, where shortlisted short films produced by young people in Berkshire and Oxfordshire will be screened at a red carpet premiere on Sunday, June 9.
The UK’s flagship female voice ensemble Papagena will perform a diverse programme ranging from sacred works and contemporary madrigals to lilting Celtic ballads, folk legends and lullabies (Sunday, June 9).
Local true crime author and murder mystery specialist Helen Saxton will discuss the controversial story of Amanda Knox following the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in 2007 on Monday, June 10.
Botanist and horticultural expert Timothy Walker will give a lively talk on 400 years of garden design in Oxfordshire and how the art of gardening has changed (Tuesday, June 11).
One-woman show Where is Mrs Christie? which previously toured to Arlington Arts, looks at the mystery of Agatha Christie’s disappearance in 1926 with a unique Q&A after the show (Wednesday, June 12).
Back by popular demand, Illyria presents a much loved family favourite of The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle outdoors, in a beautiful private garden overlooking the river Thames on Thursday, June 13.
Comedy geek songstress Helen Arney performs a family show of songs about science, maths and the wonders of the world on Friday, June 14.
Wrapping up the final Festival weekend (Friday, June 14 - Sunday, June 16) singers from some of the finest opera houses return with a bespoke performance of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.
The full extensive 10-day programme will be announced soon, including a wide variety of music performances, special interest talks, art workshops, free children’s activities and early morning wellbeing sessions.
The GAP Festival artistic director Ginny Avery, said:s "We are incredibly excited about this year’s festival, which will offer audiences of all ages the chance to explore a diverse range of exciting cultural experiences.
“From out of this world science events, magical theatrical performances, thought-provoking talks, to opportunities to try out different artistic workshops and music that transcends the ears - there will be something for everyone”.
The GAP Festival is a locally run, and community focused charity, that relies on the generosity of sponsors and individual donations.
At the heart of the festival charity’s aims is a passion to promote arts, culture and science to all generations. In line with this purpose, many of the events will be free of charge for under 18s.
Tickets will go on general sale from April 1.
Find out more at www.thegapfestival.org.
The GAP Festival is a celebration of the arts, entertainment and culture that started as an ambitious cultural project in 2014. After the first Festival, the word spread and now a Festival takes place in June every other year in the beautiful Goring Gap villages of Goring and Streatley. It brings outstanding performers and artists together with events encompassing art, music, literature, comedy, theatre, science and more.
www.thegapfestival.org
Facebook @TheGAPFestival
Twitter @TheGAPFestival
Instagram @TheGAPFestival24
