A Night of Stars under the Stars
Henley Festival by the River Thames, one of the UK’s biggest arts festivals
7-11 July 2010
Music, Art, Fireworks and Glamour
• Will Young, Ronan Keating, The Music of Queen – a rock and symphony spectacular, Bryn Terfel and Nigel Kennedy
• Tickets from just £35 - £80
Put on your glad rags for any one of five fabulous nights at the Henley Festival. Taking place on the banks of the Thames the week after the Henley Royal Regatta, the Festival transforms the site with spirit and style– it even has a unique floating stage on the river – capturing the glamour, quirkiness and eccentricity of the best English summer party. It’s a very glamorous affair and is one of the only black tie festivals in the country, so dress up and be part of it all for as little as £35 a night.
This year’s headline acts include Will Young, who shot to fame after winning Pop Idol eight years ago. He’ll be entertaining audiences on Wednesday with a selection of songs, including a show case of his recently released album entitled The Hits. Queen fans are in for a treat on Saturday night as stars of the West End’s We will Rock You offer a rip roaring rock and symphony spectacular with the legendary music of Queen with a full rock band and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Boyzone sensation and international pop star, Ronan Keating, will be finishing the festivities with a bang, treating the audience to a selection of his best loved songs on Sunday July 11th. Plus opera mega star Bryn Terfel, and Nigel Kennedy – the greatest British violinist in a generation. As well as international stars, the Festival also showcases world class comedians, dancers, performance and visual artists.
Quite apart from presenting three headline acts on the Floating Stage that are guaranteed to get pulses racing - the Festival’s Club Rendez-Vous will be the place to be after dark for anyone in need of a real shake down. Four different bands will be getting the crowds on the dance floor. Driving accordion and drum sounds from Latin America are the name of the game on Wednesday as Forro Porro take to the stage, whilst the ska and urban sounds of Peyoti for President highlight Thursday 8th July. The sounds of the Congo with the five piece band Kasai Masai take over on Friday, whilst good old fashioned rock and jiving will be the order of the night on Saturday 10th July with the fabulous Jive Aces.
Working together with one of the country’s most innovative producers of the multi-media spectacular – icon:mei and pyro-technicians Pains Fireworks, the Henley Festival firework shows, entitled Maestro, will see a giant puppet conductor complete with instrumental acolytes ‘painting’ the trees on the opposite side of the river bank as the mood takes him and inspired by a powerful musical sound track.
A host of bars and eating outlets – including pre-ordered Carluccio’s picnics through to gourmet dinners at the Riverside Restaurant, Europe’s largest a la carte restaurant hosted by Albert Roux and son Michel Roux Jr and Heston Blumenthal’s Hinds Head at Henley, which is another exciting addition to the Festival’s culinary mix - there is something for everyone.
To book tickets for the Festival contact the Box Office on 01491 843404 or visit the website at www.henley-festival.co.uk.
