The Ipswich Jazz Festival and the Nearly Festival are two of the highlights this weekend as the town’s summer events programme gets into full swing.
The second Ipswich Jazz Festival runs from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th June and is packed with jazz and jazz-related events and activities.
Starting with a South African, Township-style concert by Claude Deppa and the Clare Hirst Band, the festival includes performances by guitarist John Etheridge and singer Vimala Rowe as well as saxophonist Art Themen and the Chris Ingham Trio and top big band Back to Basie.
There are also workshops for local amateur musicians, a mini-course for young people, pub gigs and jazz-related films. Tickets: www.ipswichjazzfestival.org.uk or from the New Wolsey Theatre.
If your tastes are more Bagpuss than Basie, get along to the Ipswich Art Gallery (next to the Museum in High Street) to see the fabulous Clangers, Bagpuss & Co exhibition.
This family exhibition is on tour from the V&A Museum of Childhood and explores the magic of those early childhood TV characters. Entry is free. Tuesdays to Saturdays – 10am to 5pm, Sundays 11am to 5pm. Until 29th October.
The Nearly Festival is a non-stop tribute band action fest – all taking place on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th June from 12.30pm to 9.30pm in the beautiful surroundings of Holywells Park. There are tributes to Queen, Britpop, Madness, Oasis, our very own Ed Sheeran and many more. Children’s rides, activities and global food make this a great weekend for the whole family. www.nearlyfestival.com
The following Saturday (1st July from 10am) sees three fabulous films being screened in Christchurch Park – a chance to make a day of it, with a picnic, a trip to the Mansion and a choice of Finding Dory, Jurassic World and Bridget Jones’s Baby.
To find out more about Open Air Cinema and all our upcoming events, including Ipswich Music Day on Sunday 2nd July, go to www.ipswichentertains.co.uk
