This year’s Canterbury Festival celebrates musical talent in our diverse communities by bringing together local groups for a celebratory day of performance. From 11am to 5pm on Saturday 23 October the Festival will shine the spotlight on local musicians and singers performing short sets in locations throughout the city.

The Westgate Hall will host a selection of popular music from The Canterbury Academy. Fulston Manor School present pop and rock music followed by Kent Soul Choir performing the best in classic and modern vocals.

St Peter’s Methodist Church hosts a fine variety of music throughout the day. Opening with local jazz band Omnibus playing songs from the American Songbook and more recent swing numbers, the mood changes with a performance by Kent College Choristers and Junior School Choirs. Canterbury Gregorian Music Society present a fifteen-minute sequence of chant and the singing continues with sets from the Snowdown Male Voice Choir and The Canterbury Voices.

St Peter’s Methodist Church Hall brings singer-songwriter Jas Jazz followed by the ukulele players of Ukulear Power. Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School Senior Chamber Choir presents a range of classical and light music and an equally wide range of styles will be found in the performance of Canterbury Ladies’ Choir and Canterbury Girls’ Choir.

Outside venues include Canterbury Bandstand, Dane John Gardens. Canterbury Christ Church University Chamber Choir opens the programme here with a mixed set followed by Blean Primary School’s Year 5 and 6 Choir. Ukulear Power follow reprising their earlier performance.

Whitefriars Shopping Centre, in the middle of the city, presents singer-songwriter. Melina Hayeswood with original work followed by the Beech Grove Academy Brass Group and Folk Band. Drumming follows with community group Beat This Drumming!

Across the city, Longmarket Shopping Centre hosts East Kent Schools Together’s Big Sing, expect modern and pop music, and the harmony-rich sounds of the Lemon Zingers. The bright community music of Rock Choir continues the afternoon which is closed as Kent Soul Choirs repeat their earlier set.

All the above events are free to attend and no booking is required.

The evening brings the Beautiful Noise Big Band to the Westgate Hall, 8pm, in an evening of Big Band swing, blues and funk. This is an evening not to be missed.

Tickets, £12.50, reduction for students, are available from canterburyfestival.co.uk  

Box Office 01227 457568

Festival House

8 Orange Street

Canterbury CT1 2JA

Further information: 01227 452853