What you can see at this year’s Preston Arts Festival

The One Voice Community Choir will perform at the opening of this year's arts festival — The One Voice Community Choir will perform at the opening of this year’s arts festival

A fortnight of music, performance, workshops and things to spark your interest and creativity is returning to Preston.

Venues across the city are taking part in the annual Preston Arts Festival.

Run by Preston Arts Association there’s a plethora of different events to take your pick from – with greeting card making workshops through to film showings.

We’ve picked out something to do each day of the festival which runs from Sunday 1 October to Sunday 15 October.

Sunday 1 October

The festival launches at Preston Minster with performances from 2pm including Luo Zueting, Chinese classical and folk dance, South Ribble Strings, KTB Concert Band and the One Voice Community Choir.

The Mayor of Preston councillor Brian Rollo will also say a few words.

It’s free to attend the launch of the festival, and there will be a raffle and refreshments.

Monday 2 October

The Arts Festival film week begins at the Mitchell and Kenyon cinema at the University of Central Lancashire.

First film to be shown is Song of Summer (1968) which traces the last five years of the life of composer Frederick Delius through the eyes of Eric Fenby. Performance is at 7pm and it’s free.

Tuesday 3 October

Preston Circle Dancing invites you to learn dances from many countries and cultures.

Galloway Hall in Brackenbury Road is the venue and it’s free to attend for first-timers.

The dancing runs from 7pm to 9pm and don’t wear high heels.

Wednesday 4 October

Learn about the history of the suffragettes in the city. Dr David Hunt takes you on a tour of the city centre to show you places associated with the turbulent period of social history.

Edith Rigby, pictured left, and the blue plaque to her in Winckley Square Pic: Preston Digital Archive/Tony Worrall

Meeting point is the Harris Museum and Art Gallery at 10.15am and it’s £4.

Thursday 5 October

Want to know how to make films? The Preston Movie Makers meet from 7.45pm to show you what’s involved.

Nick Park is their patron and Galloway House in Brackenbury Road is the venue. It’s free for first-time attendees.

Friday 6 October

Aston Methodist Church is the venue for the Autumn Leaves performance. A concert by the Company of Voices choir conducted by Robin Stopford.

£6 pay on the door and show starts of 7.30pm. All funds go toards the church.

Saturday 7 October

The Art Society’s main exhibition takes place until Sunday 29 October at Astley Hall in Chorley. It’s free to go in.

Opening times are 10am to 4pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 12noon to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday 8 October

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vasily Petrenko perform at the Guild Hall.

It’s £21.50 and £28.50 for tickets depending on seats.

Show time is 2.30pm.

Monday 9 October

Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines, one of the city’s most famous adopted Prestonians, talks about her escape from the Nazis.

Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines with Mayor Councillor Nick Pompret and her family

She will be speaking at the Lancashire Archives in Bow Lane from 7pm and it is £3 on the door.

Tuesday 10 October

A name very familiar to Blog Preston readers as Aidan Turner-Bishop takes you on a tour of the city, entitled Mysterious Preston.

Meet at the Foster building entrance at the University of Central Lancashire and join Aidan for the guided walk from 10.15am. It is £4 pay on arrival.

Wednesday 11 October

A must for any PNE fan, as Michael Barrett talks about the story behind the making of his graphic novel the rise of the Invincibles.

The Lancashire Archives plays host and it is on from 7pm and £3 on the door.

Thursday 12 October

Move Over Mrs Markham begins its run at St Andrews Church Hall in Longton.

The Longton Payers performance is about when three couples, unbeknown to each other, converge on an elegant London apartment for a romantic liaison, expecting to find it empty, chaos and confusion begin.

Shows are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7.30pm and tickets are £8. You can get tickets from the box office on 01772875418.

Friday 13 October

The Preston Poets Society and the Preston Recorded Music Society combine for words and music on the theme of Autumn.

Held at St George’s Church Hall, off Lune Street, the performance is from 7.30pm. It is £1.50 on the door.

Saturday 14 October

An arts and crafts fair takes place at Fulwood Methodist Church Crossroads Centre in Watling Street Road.

Around 20 stalls will be set up showing off work by various craftspeople from the Preston area.

It’s free to attend and includes workshops and demonstrations of patchwork, Chinese brush painting and other crafts.

Runs from 10.30am to 3pm.

Sunday 15 October

The festival ends in Goosnargh with an afternoon tea concert.

Penwortham St Leonard’s Gilbert and Sullivan group dip into the great American songbook.

It is £6 and ticket price includes refreshments served at your table. Starts at 2pm.

The festival is supported by Preston City Council, the Harris, Preston Guild Hall, UCLan and the university’s creative communities group.

Details of all the shows at this year’s festival can be found on the Preston Arts Association website.