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Cumbria Times
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2:00 AM 18th June 2022
arts

Harrogate International Festivals Announces Spectacular Summer Programme

 
Gypsy Queens
Gypsy Queens
Harrogate International Festivals is bursting back into life this summer with a blistering programme featuring world-famous writers, flamboyant musicians, samba dancers, burlesque artists, Shakespearean performers, children’s entertainers and one of the best-known names from the Manchester rave scene.

Comprising of Harrogate Music Festival, Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Berwins Salon North and Carnival, the month-long celebration of the arts launches in style on Thursday, June 30, with famed Hacienda DJ and Festivals favourite, Graeme Park.
Also making a welcome comeback for 2022 is the Spiegeltent, the quirky travelling performance venue synonymous with the Music Festival.

For nine nights it will play host to an heady collection of groups and solo artists, as well as a silent disco, an evening of burlesque, a chamber concert in candlelight and a delicious pairing of classical music and gin!
And for lovers of laughs and Shakespeare, the brilliant Oddsocks Productions will be bringing their unique interpretation of the Bard’s work, this time a double helping of Hamlet the Comedy, to RHS Garden Harlow Carr.

The week will also be peppered with a series of free musical performances and children’s events with the finale to the Music Festival seeing clubbers whisked back to the 90s with the return of iconic Harrogate nightclub, Jimmys.

The world’s biggest celebration of crime writing returns with a killer line up of star authors. Those headlining this year’s annual Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival include giants of the genre Lynda La Plante, Michael Connelly, Ann Cleeves, Val McDermid, Mark Billingham, Kathy Reichs and John Connolly. They will be joined by Charlie Higson and debutante crime writers, The Rev Richard Coles and comedian Frankie Boyle.

Bringing the curtain down on the 2022 Summer Programme is Carnival, when the vibes of Rio de Janeiro will be heard and felt in the heart of Harrogate.
Sponsored by Harrogate Borough Council, this free family event on Saturday, July 30, will start with a float procession through the town centre, featuring a host of dancers and musicians, and finishing in the Valley Gardens where there will be street food stands, dance classes, jugglers, and live music galore.

Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals chief executive, said:
““Two years ago, Covid shut the events industry down overnight - and our very future was left hanging by a thread. But thanks to the terrific support of our sponsors, we were able to keep going, and deliver our events digitally.

“This year I’m thrilled to say we are back – and in style! We’ve even managed to find room to hold a Berwins Salon North.

“Whilst welcoming back a number of summer festival regulars, we are also delighted to introduce a host of new names to the festival.

“The Spiegeltent has always been a popular performance venue. Harrogate doesn’t have a sticky-floored jazz club, so this is our equivalent. And because the audience is closer to the performers it makes it a more intimate setting.

“The line-up for year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is literally to die for! For four days lovers of crime fiction will be able to hear from some of the biggest and best-known names in the industry, as well as rubbing shoulders with many of them in the Theakston bar.

“This year also sees the return of the spacious marquee, which proved a huge hit with last year’s audiences and authors alike. And for those who want to soak up the atmosphere, site passes giving access to all areas except the talks, can be purchased in advance or on the gate.

“Our final event of our 2022 Summer Programme is a real show-stopper. Carnival is an all-day free family event which will bring the world to Harrogate as we celebrate a wealth different cultures via the mediums of dance, music and food.”


Full details of Harrogate International Festivals Summer Programme is available from: https://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/