Arts festival looks to silver screen (From Gazette Series)

Arts festival looks to silver screen

WOTTON Arts Festival is celebrating its 34th year this year and a cinematic theme runs through the ten days.

The programme, devised by Wotton Arts Association, opens on Friday, April 23 (8pm) with a preview of the festival's art exhibition, at the civic centre. The exhibition, displaying pictures by local artists, runs from Saturday, April 24 (10am-5pm) to Sunday, April 25 (10am-4pm). Admission is free.

A junk music workshop takes place, for children aged seven to 11, on Saturday, April 24 (2.30-4pm) in The Chipping Clubroom, from 2.30pm-4pm. Admission £1.

A traditional Jazz Night, with Electric Fred, is at Wotton Town Hall on Saturday, April 24 (8pm). 'Bring your own booze.' Admission £5.

Balshazzar's Feast, performed by the Oriana Singers, takes place on Sunday, April 25 (6pm) at St Mary's Parish Church. Admission free, with retiring collection.

Wotton-under-Edge Dramatic Society and the Electric Cinema Company present 'Memorable Moments of the Silver Screen'on Monday, April 26, in The Green Room, Clarence Road. Admission free, donations welcome.

Wotton Silver Band presents a concert, featuring music from movies, on Tuesday, April 27, in Wotton Town Hall. Admission £3.

A film, 'Frida', about Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, will be screened on Wednesday, April 28 (8pm) at Blue Coat Primary School. Admission £3.50 (Wotton Film Society members £2.50).

A film, 'Pollock', about American painter Jackson Pollock, will be screened on Thursday, April 29 (8pm) at Blue Coat rimary School at 8pm. Admission £3.50 (Film Society members £2.50).

A talk, 'Tyntesfield Saved for the Nation', hosted by Wotton Historical Society, takes place on Friday, April 30 (7.30pm) at Wotton Town Hall. Admission £2 (members free).

The Festival Concert, by the Emerald Ensemble, takes place on Saturday, May 1 (7.30pm) at St Mary's Parish Church. Music includes William Walton. Admission £8 (£7, in advance).

An outdoor concert, by Wotton Silver Band, is on Sunday, May 2 (11am) on Wotton Hill.

The festival service is on Sunday, May 2 (6pm) at St Mary's Church.

Tickets for all events are available during shop hours from Cotswold Book Room, Long Street, Wotton-under-Edge.