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May is Whisky Month, usually taking in a diverse range of events ranging from whisky tasting sessions to behind-the-scenes experiences and distillery tours. Every year, Cheltenham Jazz Festival represents the start of the summer in Cheltenham and is a great way to spend the long weekend over May Bank Holiday. This year’s event will be held as a non-stop live stream of jazz on Cheltenham Jazz Festivals’ YouTube channel.
West Cork Chamber Music Festival Jun 23-Jul 2: One of Europe’s premiere chamber music festivals, with world-class musicians in the beautiful west Cork town of Bantry. Highlights include The Biber Mystery Sonatas (postponed from 2022) performed by Ensemble Vintage Koln with newly commissioned poems by Ruth Padel. Also: Armida Quartet, Pacifica Quartet, Ragazze Quartet, Ardeo Quartet, Ensemble Diderot, Alina Ibragimova, Viviane Hagner, Caroline Melzer and Trio Gaspard. westcorkmusic.ie JULY It's extra exciting because it is a Scottish exclusive with MacMoray. This will be huge for the local economy and business." Don't miss: The lavish lounge arena for art and film installations, luxurious treats and sofas to relax on and take in the DJ sets
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This year will see a digital version of the ultimate fashion industry event, where the world’s top designers showcase their latest collections via catwalk shows, plus curated talks, designer shopping and trend presentations.
There’s a rich explosion of festivals in the planning right now, from big hitters to smaller niche pleasures. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but a taster of what’s coming up in 2023′s cultural festivals around Ireland. While some programmes are well along, others will announce details later in the year, so watch their spaces online and on social media. JANUARY Listowel Writers’ Week May 31-Jun 4: Diverse programme in the convivial Kerry town, curated by Stephen Connolly, with highlights including Paul Brady in conversation with Paul Muldoon, young novelists Tess Gunty (winner, US National Book Award for Fiction), Megan Nolan and Michael Magee, workshops with Stephen Sexton and Wendy Erskine. writersweek.ie JUNE Dublin International Chamber Music Festival (Great Music in Irish Houses) Jun 7-12: A leading and passionate force for chamber music, with Irish and international artists live in interesting and unique spaces. Superb chamber music including world premieres, a family concert, electrifying music from Africa and a piano project in collaboration with five Irish pianists and 10 trailblazing women. dicmf.com Don't miss: nature nurture, where you’ll encounter mindful sketching sessions, massage therapies and rejuvenating hot tubs Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and Ladies Scottish Open, Renaissance Club, east ScotlandAlong the Sussex coast lies the Goodwood Motor Circuit near Chichester. Each summer the circuit is the venue for the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the largest car culture event in the world. Automobile fans attend four days' worth of races to celebrate the history of motor racing, including a hill climb featuring classic Formula One cars, and a forest rally stage. Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival Aug 4-12: Celebrating its 55th year with national and international visual arts, theatre, music, street theatre, pop-up performances, workshops, exhibitions and community events. birrvintageweek.com Insider tip: come prepared for the Sunday carnival. There’ll be a theme announced and attendees are encouraged to make their own costumes from recyclable material Dublin International Film Festival Feb 23-Mar 4: Showcasing the best contemporary world cinema and new Irish work for its 21st anniversary. Screenings from Irish filmmakers Hugh O’Conor and Clare Dunne, renowned visionary Artazvad Pelchian and film music maestro Neil Brand’s tribute to Buster Keaton. Plus archive programmes, red carpets, public events and Q & with cast and filmmakers, and online programme. diff.ie Dublin Fringe Festival Sep 9-24: A new curated programme that encourages discovery, stimulates curiosity and creates memorable encounters that enthral and embolden audiences. fringefest.com
Chamber Music on Valentia Aug 17-20: The 10th festival in stunning locations in the landscape and seascape of Valentia island, Co Kerry, curated by pianist Mary Dullea. Featuring the first instalment of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerti, Fidelio Trio’s innovative Pop Archive, a newly commissioned installation, four days of concerts, workshops and opportunities to work with festival’s international musicians. chambermusiconvalentia.com Britain’s largest annual celebration of visual art, Edinburgh Art Festival attracts a diverse and vibrant programme of exhibitions and events at the city’s galleries and museums.The world’s most famous flat race will see riders and owners in pursuit of one of the richest prizes in British racing on 5 June, with the famous Ladies’ Day held the day before on 4 June. Don’t miss: hopefully, the return of Area 404, a space introduced in 2019 modelled around a futuristic industrial quadrant, with plenty of parties Salford in Greater Manchester is gearing up for the opening of the largest gardening project in Europe - RHS Bridgewater! Projected to open on 11 May 2021, RHS Garden Bridgewater aims to restore Worsley New Hall to its former glory and beyond, adding a vast walled garden and an impressive modern welcome building, as well as returning the remaining historic buildings to their beautiful best. An impressive array of classic, modern and quirky cars zoom through the countryside around Stratford-upon-Avon before parking up in the town centre, as part of the popular Stratford Festival of Motoring. Expect plenty of family friendly activities as well as all sorts of classic and special-interest cars to gawp at. The Dundee Flower and Food Festival is the premier show of its kind in Scotland and has developed over the years into a three-day extravaganza with a host of attractions. It is also one of Dundee’s major annual events.
The fastest-growing and third-largest film festival in Britain, with more than 350 events, including new local and international film from all genres, from mainstream to art-house, classics to cult. 2021 will see GFF screen across Britain for the first time, in 22 partner cinemas. There are plenty of festivals where you can wander through a forest, but none quite like Lost Village, where you’ll encounter abandoned houses and vehicles, old airports, eerie woodland trails and other mysterious scenes. If you prefer to relax rather than rove there are also banquets and an extensive wellness programme, plus comedy, talks, interviews and free workshops. Music at Lost Village is about making people move, so expect top DJs and energetic live acts.
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New Music Dublin Apr 20-23: Festival of adventurous new music for curious ears, at the National Concert Hall and other venues. Festival director John Harris’s selection from across the spectrum of contemporary music. newmusicdublin.ie
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