'˜Exciting' arts festival by the people of Lee-on-the-Solent for the people of Lee

PAUL CHAMBERLAIN, THE VICAR OF ST FAITH'S CHURCH, LEE-ON-THE-SOLENT, looks ahead to next month's arts festival which has something for everyone
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Jun 2016, 06:05 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 16:32 BST

LEE FESTIVAL of the Arts is an exciting community event at Lee-on-the-Solent, from July 1-9.

The organising committee, which I chair, has been planning since late last year.

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The festival is a chance for local people to demonstrate their artistic skills and for other local people to enjoy them. And when we say ‘art’ we don’t just mean painting, we mean dance, glass-blowing, music, quilting, poetry, storytelling, photography, drama, Tai Chi, woodworking, pottery, and more.

Paul Chamberlain, Vicar St Faiths Church, Lee-on-the-SolentPaul Chamberlain, Vicar St Faiths Church, Lee-on-the-Solent
Paul Chamberlain, Vicar St Faiths Church, Lee-on-the-Solent

Across the festival’s nine days we have more than 100 artists involved in more than 65 events, including concerts, demonstrations and workshops.

There is an art trail, in which local artists will display their creations in shops and businesses in Lee High Street and on the seafront.

Leon’s, the Bistro on the seafront, will host live music most days and there are concerts at St Faith’s and Lee Community Centre.

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There’s music in pubs and a craft fair where local artists will show off their skills.

Paul Chamberlain, Vicar St Faiths Church, Lee-on-the-SolentPaul Chamberlain, Vicar St Faiths Church, Lee-on-the-Solent
Paul Chamberlain, Vicar St Faiths Church, Lee-on-the-Solent

We have courses in painting, storytelling, paper sculpture, and mixed media, and a number of artists will openg their studios so others can see them at work.

The festival will be launched at 7pm at St Faith’s on July 1.

It will feature TV presenter Alistair Appleton (A Place in the Sun), the Southern Dance Orchestra and a salsa demonstration. Tickets £5.

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Other highlights include Made by Us – local people demonstrating their craft skills – on July 2, 10am-4pm at St Faith’s Parish Centre, a free barn dance with local favourites Stoney Ridge on July 3, 6pm, at Lee Community Centre, and a concert (£5) with the Southern Dance Orchestra on Saturday, July 9, 7.30pm, also at Lee Community Centre.

And there’s Shocks for Sure Theatre with As I was Saying… on the evenings of July 8 and 9.

For a full list of events, pick up the programme at Lee Book Shop or visit our website: leefestivalofthearts.org.uk. You can also find out more on our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter (@FestivalLee).

Do get involved in the festival, which is by local people for local people.

Related topics:Lee-on-the-Solent