THE 10 Parishes Festival starts this Saturday September 11 and runs until September 19 with events happening in and around Wiveliscombe.
New Leaf is the theme for the festival this year, linking back to the first edition of this visual and performing arts event from 2003.
There will be a mixture of individual artist’s open studios and collective exhibitions form the central offer to visitors over the nine days, with a number of interspersed performances and community events.
New Leaf is also in part the name of the Festival sponsor, New Leaf Workplace Wellbeing.
It’s a pertinent connection, particularly in this year as life and work patterns have taken new directions.
New Leaf’s Founder, Becky Wright has facilitated a novel facility at the popular Street Market and Carnival in Wiveliscombe on the first Sunday of the Festival, 12th September.
The Carnival procession at 3pm on Sunday September 12 is set to be the highlight of the week as it includes live music throughout, food and drink, local produce and arts and crafts.
Farmerados is a pop-up public living rooms based on Camerados and they will be available for people to sit back and relax.
“We offer no services just the company of fellow humans, fairy lights and a game of connect 4. What more could you want,” stall owner Becky explained.
Artists exhibit throughout the Festival period, some at collective exhibitions such as Wiveliscombe Community Centre (Victoria Ward, Sarah Entwistle, Chris Howe, Annie Musgrove and John Abraham, The Bear Inn (Alexandra Lavizzari, Jos Harral, Tom Harral, Dawn Mangan and David Patterson) and St Luke’s Mission Church at Langley Marsh (Jill Newton, Melanie Deegan and Sarah Fox).
Performance is a major part of the Festival too and there will be a number of performances throughout the week.
Two performances at Wellhayes Vineyard, Clayhanger include Devon Baroque on Sat 11th and acclaimed violinist Florence Cooke joined by pianist Laetitia Fédérici on Sun 19th at 4pm.
St Andrew’s Church in Wiveliscombe hosts performances spread over both weekends of the Festival, including folksinger Fay Hield who will be performing songs from her latest album “Wrackline”.
The Festival concludes with a unique performance at St Andrew’s Church in Wiveliscombe on Sunday 19th September.
Hildegard Transfigured: A medieval trance for the 21st Century will be performed by Voice, a female a cappella trio performing repertoire spanning both ages and continents.
There will be a stunning one hour show of music, light and visuals will explore the world of medieval Abbess St Hildegard of Bingen and how her legacy continues to inspire.
Tickets are £15 from www.ticketsource.co.uk/10-parishes-arts-festival
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