Mole Valley Arts Alive – the biggest festival of its kind in the south-east – runs from 1st to 31st October, packing in over 100 local events and experiences of interest to all ages in the fields of craft painting, film, literature, music, painting, performance, photography and theatre.
Arts Alive’s welcoming and family-friendly official launch events take place between 10.30am and 12.30pm in St Martins’ Walk in Dorking on Saturday 21st September and Leatherhead High Street on Saturday 28th September. Come along, support your local festival and enjoy the free entertainment including facepainting, performances from Show Choir, local talent and much more.
Supported by Mole Valley District Council (MVDC), this year sees two film festivals within Arts Alive, as well as a Blue Plaque and Statues walk through Dorking, a Poetry Pub, an evening with author Joanna Glen in Ashtead and an opportunity to see the big band Youthsayers; young musicians performing afrobeat, jazz and reggae music.
In addition to an exhibition from the British Artist Blacksmiths’ Association at the Fire & Iron Gallery, don’t miss ‘Message in a Bottle’, Leatherhead Theatre’s circus show of acrobatics and fire following a pirate’s struggles, challenges and failures that is ultimately resolved by reaching out to others for support.
All events and details of how to book can be found by visiting the Arts Alive website. Follow Arts Alive on X/Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all the latest news.
Councillor Nick Wright, MVDC’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, said: “This wonderful annual celebration of the arts in Mole Valley cannot be missed. With over 100 events and experiences on offer, next month might as well be renamed ‘Artober’! Make sure you make the most of the district’s many talented artists, arts groups performers and organisations who come together to delight audiences and produce such a variety of innovative and enjoyable events.”
