A festival celebrating local and international talent will be returning to west Dorset for its 42nd event this summer.
The Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and Art features sounds of the Balkans and Brazil as well as showcasing work of West Country artists, ceramicists and crafters.
The festival is celebrating its 42nd anniversary this summer and will run from August 10 to 18.
The art part of the festival will see Burton Bradstock village hall transformed into a nine-day art exhibition of original paintings, ceramics, glass and wood crafts to reflect the talent that exists in West Dorset and surrounding counties.
The Festival Art Exhibition in the village hall (Image: Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and Art)
The music line-up for the festival will see numerous performances at St Mary's Church including Balkan band Paprika performing a blend of folk, rock and jazz styles.
Many of the international performers are festival regulars, who are hosted by local families and are regarded as friends.
There will also be a programme of concerts from Monday, August 12 to Friday, August 16 including Brazilian jazz with Sao Paulo born singer Carolina Lelis, a Viennese Soiree, chamber music by Schubert and Fauré, and a late-night performance of Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time.
It culminates in a gala concert of classical music with the full festival orchestra on Friday, August 16, featuring Bach’s triple concerto, Mozart’s early Sinfonia Concertante, and Dvorak’s Rondo for cello and orchestra.
Balkan band Paprika (Image: Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and Art)
To launch the concert programme, a festival evensong will be held in the music venue of St Mary’s Church on Sunday, August 11 following a tea party that afternoon in the rectory gardens, accompanied by live music.
David Juritz, artistic director of the festival, said: “If it’s true that variety is the spice of life, then this year’s Festival promises to be not only lively, but spicy too as Paprika open the proceedings with their super-charged rock and jazz-infused take on eastern European folk music from the Balkans.”
Jenny Malyon, chair of the festival committee, added: “As always, we are delighted to see our much-loved regular musicians back in Burton Bradstock again.
“David has put together a wonderful programme of music with something to please everyone.
"We are so fortunate to have so many internationally acclaimed musicians who come to play in our village, and we are also extremely lucky to have so many highly talented artists and makers in our region to make the art exhibition the success it always is.”
Tickets can be bought through the Bridport Tourist Information Centre.
More information can be found on the Burton Bradstock Festival website: burtonbradstockfestival.com
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