To find your favourite event or activity, follow the colour coding in the titles…….
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | ||
| April 25 | ||||||||
| May 1 | May 2 | May 4 | May 5 | May 6 | ||||
| May 9 | May 10 | May 11 | May 12 | May 13 | May 14 | |||
| May 15 | May 16 | May 17 | May 18 | May 19 | May 20 | May 21 | Programme Summary |
| Tuesday, April 25th | Return to top | |||
Strictly Cookham – Beginners Dance Classes |
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Pinder Hall, Lower Road, SL6 9EH | Tickets £24 for four classes. | ||
| Sign up for a course of four dance class one per week from today. Choose from four dance styles taught by professionals. 6pm – Street dancing, 7pm – Scottish dancing, 8pm – Beginner’s Ballroom and Latin, 9pm – Argentine Tango | More details >> | |||
| Monday, May 1st | Return to top | |||
Exhibition: One Artist Three Visions |
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 Windsor Castle |
The Gallery at Elizabeth House, Station Hill. SL6 9BS | Free entry | ||
| An exhibition of paintings by Mandy McAllen in acrylic, watercolour and mixed media. Mainly landscapes, this exhibition explores different ways of representing the colours, shapes and textures of places Mandy has visited at home and abroad. Exhibition runs to 31 May. | ||||
| Tuesday, May 2nd | Return to top | |||
Strictly Cookham – Dancing Classes |
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Pinder Hall, Lower Road, SL6 9EH | Tickets £24 for four classes | ||
| Second (of four) 55 minute dance classes. Classes start promptly: 6pm – Street dancing; 7pm – Scottish dancing; 8pm – Ballroom and Latin; 9pm – Argentine Tango. | More details >> | |||
| Thursday, May 4th | Return to top | |||
“Off The Wall” – An Art Installation |
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Sponsored by the Shanly Foundation | |||
| Cookham Moor hosts this major art installation. Starting on 4th May with the official opening on May 5th this is, literally the biggest Art Event the Moor has seen in years! A striking celebration of 50 years of “Growing the Arts”, from the imaginations of BCA students. You really CAN’T miss this! – come and enjoy “Off the Wall”! |
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| Friday, May 5th | Return to top | |||
Cookham Knit and Natter The Caterpillar’s Crazy Tea Party |
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Tarrystone, corner of Sutton Road and Odney Lane | |||
| You’ve never seen the Tarrystone like it! The Caterpillar’s Crazy Tea Party is taking over. Come and see this close knit, woolly family’s party until 22nd May | ||||
The Name Game |
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Tarrystone, corner of Sutton Road and Odney Lane | |||
| Free competition for all. Name the caterpillar at the Tarrystone Tea party. The name we like most wins a prize! Entry forms available at The Sculpture Garden, Odney Club. Competition closes Saturday 20th | ||||
| Saturday, May 6th | Return to top | |||
The Sculpture Garden |
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Odney Club, Odney Lane, SL6 9SROpen 10am to 5pm daily. | Entry £2 adults, free for children under 16. | ||
| The Sculpture Garden, curated by Lucy Irvine, opens at Odney today and runs to 21 May. | More details >> | |||
Exhibition: The Cookham Floods by Sarah Luton |
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Irène Laksine Gallery, High Street, SL6 9SL Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday 10am- 5pm. | |||
| Local artist Sarah Luton shows her paintings of the memorable 2014 Cookham floods. She painted many of these on the spot, capturing a significant moment in Cookham’s recent history. Meet Sarah at the Irène Laksine Gallery on Saturday 6 May 2pm-7pm. The Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday 10am- 5pm. The exhibition runs to 21 May. | ||||
| Tuesday, May 9th | Return to top | |||
Strictly Cookham – Dancing Classes |
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Pinder Hall, Lower Road, SL6 9EH | Tickets £24 for four classes | ||
| Third (of four) 55 minute dance classes. Classes start promptly: 6pm – Street dancing; 7pm – Scottish dancing; 8pm – Ballroom and Latin; 9pm – Argentine Tango. | More details >> | |||
| Wednesday, May 10th | Return to top | |||
“The Nature of Cookham” (Painting Competition Entry Submission) |
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Community Room, Cookham Library, High Road SL6 9JF | Adults £5, 11-18 years £3, U11 years free | ||
| Hand in pictures 2:00pm – 5:00pm. | More Details >> | |||
Talk: Cookham and its Brewing History |
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Cookham Dean Cricket Club, Rickett’s Field, Whyteladyes Lane, SL6 9LF 8pm | Tickets £5 | ||
| In the 17th and 18th Centuries, brewhouses were a common feature with beer the main every day drink, as it was often safer than the local water. Around 1800 technological changes led to the development of Darby’s and later Neville Reid’s businesses. Keith Parry’s talk covers the history of Cookham’s brewing business, its brewers and pubs from 1600 to early 1900s and some of the buildings that remain part of Cookham’s heritage. Samples available from our favourite local brewery. |
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| Thursday, May 11th | Return to top | |||
The Hollow Crown
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Pinder Hall, Lower Road, SL6 9EH 7.30pm. Licensed bar | Tickets £12 | ||
| Come and re-live the lives, loves, and losses of the crowned heads of Great Britain in this highly original play, first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Supported by Cookham-based musical group ‘Stromenti’, the cast celebrate a millenium of monarchy through speeches, documents, gossip, music and song. The play, devised by John Barton, is performed by The People’s Shakespeare Company, directed by David Choules. |
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Going For Gold |
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Cookham Dean Village Hall, Church Road, Cookham Dean, SL6 9PG 7.30pm. | Tickets £10, under 18s £5 | ||
| Olympic Gold Medallists describe their very different journeys to Gold and beyond. Adrian Moorhouse MBE, won the 100 metres breaststroke at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and Tom Aggar was Paralympic Gold Medal winner in the Arms-Shoulders Men’s Single Sculls at the 2008 Beijing Games. |
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| Friday, May 12th | Return to top | |||
Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo |
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Sir Bernard Miller Centre, Odney Club, Odney Lane, SL6 9SR 6pm | Adult £5, U11 £2 | ||
| The four Cookham Primary Schools combine to perform Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo. This lighthearted cantata by Jo Horovitz and Michael Flanders tells the story of Old Noah with catchy tunes and entertaining lyrics. |
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The Hollow Crown |
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Pinder Hall, Lower Road, SL6 9EH 7.30pm. Licensed bar | Tickets £12 | ||
| Come and re-live the lives, loves, and losses of the crowned heads of Great Britain in this highly original play, first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Supported by Cookham-based musical group ‘Stromenti’, the cast celebrate a millenium of monarchy through speeches, documents, gossip, music and song. The play, devised by John Barton, is performed by The People’s Shakespeare Company, directed by David Choules. |
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The Cookham Festival Stanley Spencer Poetry Competition 2017 – Readings
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Cookham Dean Village Hall, Church Road, Cookham Dean, SL6 9PG 7:30pm Licensed Bar | £10, £5 for U18s | ||
| Listen to readings of some of the shortlisted poems, together with selected material from the distinguished panel of judges. An anthology of all the shortlisted poems are launched at this event. |
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| Saturday, May 13th | Return to top | |||
Festival Arts Hub |
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Parish Centre, Church Gate, SL6 9SP | £10 per workshop | ||
| Work with professional artists to create your own work of art to take home in just 75 minutes! | More Details >> | |||
Cookham Bells ring in The Festival |
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Holy Trinity Church Cookham, Sutton Road, SL6 9SP 11 am. | |||
| A full peal was rung on Cookham bells to launch the first Cookham Festival in 1967. To mark the Festival’s 50th Anniversary, Cookham bells ring again. There are now 10 bells at Cookham and the bellringers attempt a full peal of 5,000 Stedman Caters. This should take just over three hours. | ||||
The Nature of Cookham – Exhibition |
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Community Rooms, Cookham Library, High Road SL6 9JF | Free Entry | ||
| Visit the Nature of Cookham exhibition featuring the work of local artists and vote for your favourite picture in each category. Voting closes Tuesday 17 May. The exhibition runs 13-21 May. Opening times 13, 20 May 11am-1pm; 14, 21 May 11am-1pm; 15-19 May 2pm- 4pm. | More Details >> | |||
Bloomin’ Brilliant! |
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Holy Trinity Church Cookham, Sutton Road, SL6 9SP | Adults £4, U18 free entry | ||
| Who has not been moved by the sight and scent of a beautiful rose in full bloom in the Summer sun? Then imagine a church filled with flowers – all with a story to tell! In celebration of Cookham Festival’s golden anniversary what better way to showcase the wealth of arts exhibited at the Festival over the years than with fifty glorious floral arrangements – and some surprises! Saturday 13 and Monday 15 May 10.30am-6pm; Sunday 14 May 2pm- 6pm. |
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Talk: Glass, Architecture and Art |
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Heritage Centre, Odney Lane, SL6 9SR 2.30pm. Licensed bar | Tickets £5 | ||
| In this illustrated talk, Kirsty Brooks explores recent developments within glass art and contemporary architecture. She showcases examples of her own recently commissioned projects for clients as diverse as Oxford University and Bracknell Town Council and explores how artworks can create a sense of place and bring cultural integrity to the public arena. | ||||
Musicians of a New Dawn |
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Saint John the Baptist Church, Church Road, Cookham Dean, SL6 9PD 3pm. | Tickets £6 | ||
| Some of our most talented young musicians from the local area will perform in this truly inspirational concert. They are all Grade 8 standard and beyond. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy their astonishing musicianship. |
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The Hollow Crown |
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Pinder Hall, Lower Road, SL6 9EH 7.30pm. Licensed bar | Tickets £12 | ||
| Come and re-live the lives, loves, and losses of the crowned heads of Great Britain in this highly original play, first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Supported by Cookham-based musical group ‘Stromenti’, the cast celebrate a millenium of monarchy through speeches, documents, gossip, music and song. The play, devised by John Barton, is performed by The People’s Shakespeare Company, directed by David Choules. |
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| Sunday, May 14th | Return to top | |||
Festival Arts Hub |
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Parish Centre, Church Gate, SL6 9SP | £10 per workshop | ||
| Work with professional artists to create your own work of art to take home in just 75 minutes! | More Details >> | |||
Come and Sing |
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Sir Bernard Miller Centre, Odney Club, Odney Lane, SL6 9SR 10am | Tickets £20 | ||
| Fun-filled day, singing pop, rock and music from the shows, culminating in an informal short concert for friends and family at 4pm. Under the musical direction of Russell Scott, this workshop will excite and enthuse singers of all abilities (experienced or not). With 35 years of experience, Russell helps you give your finest performance, with tips and tricks for vocal technique, blend and balance. |
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Festival Jazz Eucharist |
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Holy Trinity Church Cookham, Sutton Road, SL6 9SP 11am | |||
| Come and join in the Festival Jazz service. The Choirs of Holy Trinity Church lead the music which includes Will Todd’s exhuberant Jazz Mass. Cookham’s favourite jazz band plays before, after and during the service! | ||||
| Monday, May 15th | Return to top | |||
An Evening with Ross Kemp |
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Pinder Hall, Lower Road, SL6 9EH 7.30pm. Licensed Bar | Adult £15, U18 £10 | ||
| An opportunity to spend an evening in the company of celebrated actor and BAFTA Award winning TV presenter Ross Kemp, who will present stories from his career and take questions from the audience. |
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Create a Collage |
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Bel and the Dragon, High Street, SL6 9SQ 8pm | |||
| Create a collage while enjoying a drink at Bel and the Dragon. Use a variety of materials to create a beautiful, Indian themed artwork to take away. Be inspired in a fun, informal atmosphere by local artist Claire Ross- Mason and art teacher Alice Green and a glass of wine! Suitable for all abilities. |
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| Tuesday, May 16th | Return to top | |||
Exhibition: Peeps into Panto |
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Parish Centre, Church Gate, SL6 9SP | Free entry | ||
| Pantomime thrives in a strong community – one able to laugh at itself. This exhibition spotlights over 50 years of pantomime in Cookham. Local people have searched lofts and unlocked memories to help provide this fascinating archive, presented in a way that revisits the magic, the music and the fun. Come and relive your part in it all or see what you missed. It could happen again. “Oh no it couldn’t!” “Oh yes it could!”. |
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Concertini |
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Methodist Church, Lower Road, SL6 9HJ 10.30am. | Adults £6, children free | ||
| A concert with a light-hearted programme of classical music especially for babies, toddlers and their grown-ups. In the informal setting of the Methodist church, the young audience can be fed, changed, dance and sing or just lie on the carpet. | ||||
An Artistic Affair: Guided Tour and Village Walk |
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Stanley Spencer Gallery, High Street, SL6 9SJ 10:30am | £10 | ||
| Join your Spencer tour guide to see The Spencer Gallery’s stunning new exhibition, A Village Affair. Then, visit the village locations where Spencer painted his visionary images. This is a rare opportunity to participate in this guided exhibition tour and walk.Daphne, 1940 (Tate) © The Estate of Stanley Spencer. All Rights Reserved, 2017 Photo credit: ©Tate, London 2016 |
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Strictly Cookham – Dancing Classes |
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Pinder Hall, Lower Road, SL6 9EH | |||
| Four of four. Classes start promptly: 6pm Street dancing; 7pm Scottish dancing; 8pm Ballroom and Latin; 9pm Argentine Tango. | More Details >> | |||
Peeps into Panto – Supper and Entertainment
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Parish Centre, Church Gate, SL6 9SP 7:15 for 7:30pm Licensed Bar | Tickets £25 | ||
| Enjoy an evening of Cookham Pantomime nostalgia with a three course supper. Expect informal, possibly impromptu snatches of entertainment – definitely not without improvisation. Just like the old days! | ||||
Cookham’s Place in the Movies |
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Cookham Dean Village Hall, Church Road, Cookham Dean, SL6 9PG 7:30pm | Tickets £10 | ||
| The movies conjure up images of excitement, escapism and mystery, often in faraway places. You may be surprised that your locale featured in many films over the years! Join us to enjoy one such film, the story of Cookham’s film heritage and try to spot familiar locations. |
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| Wednesday, May 17th | Return to top | |||
The John Lewis Design Legacy |
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Heritage Centre, Odney Lane, SL6 9SR 3pm | Tickets £5 | ||
| Join designers from the John Lewis Studios and discover how they re- imagine historic designs as 21st century products. The John Lewis Partnership’s unique archival holdings are housed at the Heritage Centre where this talk takes place. | ||||
Comedy Evening |
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Pinder Hall, Lower Road, SL6 9EH 7.30pm. | Tickets £15.00, full tables of 12 £150. | ||
| Triumphant return to the Festival of Peter Wilson’s Comedy Club; Featuring top-line stand-up comedians. Not always for the faint hearted! |
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Organ Recital by Nathaniel Keiller |
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St John the Baptist Church, Church Road, Cookham Dean, SL6 9PD 8pm. | Tickets £10 | ||
| Nathaniel gained a music scholarship to Eton College and later was awarded the Dr John Birch Scholarship from the Royal College of Organists. This evening he presents a varied and exciting programme ranging from Bach to the 20th century French composer Jehan Alain. |
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| Thursday, May 18th | Return to top | |||
An Artistic Affair: Guided Tour and Village Walk
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Stanley Spencer Gallery, High Street, SL6 9SJ 10.30am 10:30 am | Tickets £10 | ||
| Join your Spencer tour guide to see The Spencer Gallery’s stunning new exhibition, A Village Affair. Then, visit the village locations where Spencer painted his visionary images. This is a rare opportunity to participate in this guided exhibition tour and walk.Daphne, 1940 (Tate) © The Estate of Stanley Spencer. All Rights Reserved, 2017 Photo credit: ©Tate, London 2016 |
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Young at Heart |
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The Gallery at Elizabeth House, Station Hill. SL6 9BS 1:15pm. | Elizabeth House members only | ||
| The concert is especially conceived for senior members of our community to be enjoyed in a relaxed and familiar environment. Led by Julia Bentley-Dawkes and friends, it features a variety of music from classical favourites to well-known folk music and popular songs. | ||||
Stars of the West End |
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Pinder Hall, Lower Road, SL6 9EH 7.30pm Licensed bar | Tickets £20 | ||
| Four internationally renowned stars of musical theatre and a band of leading West End musicians, led by local impresario Toby Cruse, take us on a whistle stop tour of West End and Broadway musicals. Celebrate some of the greatest musicals of all time, including songs from Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Chicago, Chess, Evita, Miss Saigon, My Fair Lady, West Side Story and homages to Rodgers & Hammerstein and Cole Porter. |
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| Friday, May 19th | Return to top | |||
Prize Giving Ceremonies
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Stanley Spencer Gallery, High Street, SL6 9SJ 7pm | By invitation only | ||
| Lord Young of Cookham presents the Don and Jill Cawthorne Prize and the Stationers’ Company and the Maidenhead Advertiser Awards to the winners of the Cookham Festival Stanley Spencer Poetry Competition. He also presents prizes to the artists in the adult, junior and child category, whose paintings have received the most votes from visitors to the Nature of Cookham exhibition. |
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National Youth Jazz Orchestra – Nonet |
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Pinder Hall, Lower Road, SL6 9EH 8pm. | Tickets £15 | ||
| NYJO Nonet showcases some of the most talented young jazz musicians in the UK. They perform arrangements by current and ex-members of the NYJO as well as music by the great legends of jazz: Basie, Coltrane, Davis and Ellington. A not-to-be-missed evening for all jazz enthusiasts. |
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| Saturday, May 20th | Return to top | |||
Council of All Beings |
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Cookham Dean WI Hall, Church Road, Cookham Dean SL6 9PD 10:30am | Tickets £8 | ||
| Please note change of start time.
A creative workshop at the WI Hall, followed by a ceremony in Quarry Wood to help people connect with nature and speak on nature’s behalf. |
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Let’s Rock the Moor |
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Cookham Moor | |||
| Let’s Rock the Moor! returns for a ninth year with an action-packed day of live music at this boutique, family-friendly 80s festival. Tickets for this event are available online at www.letsrockthemoor.com and from The Stationery Depot, 23 Station Parade, SL6 9BR. | More Details >> | |||
| Sunday, May 21st | Return to top | |||
Tea Dance |
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Sir Bernard Miller Centre, Odney Club, Odney Lane, SL6 9SR 2:30pm | Tickets £15 | ||
| Dance the afternoon away to great music in the elegant surroundings of the Odney Club. Spectators welcome. Enjoy a magnificent afternoon tea and a demonstration by world champion dancers Richard Still and Morgan Hemphill. | ||||
Festival Evensong |
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St John the Baptist Church, Church Road, Cookham Dean, SL6 9PD 6pm | |||
| Enjoy a traditional choral evensong sung by the choir of St John the Baptist Church. The responses are by W Smith and the settings and anthems include music by CV Stanford. Everyone welcome. | ||||
Gala Concert Serenade |
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Sponsored by Hitachi EuropeHoly Trinity Church Cookham, Sutton Road, SL6 9SP 8pm Licensed Bar This celebration of the serenade, led by international award-winning violinist Alexandra Wood, includes music by Mozart and Elgar. The concert also features Arvo Part’s hauntingly beautiful ‘Frates’ for solo violin, strings and percussion and ends with the sparkling tour de force, Tchaikovsky’s ebullient ‘Serenade’. |
Tickets £20 | ||
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