Festival Flavours

Image courtesy of Latitude Festival

Glastonbury may be over but the festival season is just getting into its swing. But if the idea of sloshing through muddy fields on no sleep, no loo and a magic mushroom for sustainance fills you with horror, then fear not. You may love music and seeing your favourite bands, but festivals aren’t all about jumping (or being pushed ) along to the Arctic Monkeys. The outdoor summer vibe can still be found at intimate gatherings offering a wider choice of arts and cultural entertainment in a much cosier setting.

Latitude Festival, 12th – 15th July
Set in the beautiful surroundings of Henham Park in Suffolk, is a performing arts festival with myriad choice of arts entertainment. 
Check out the best of the Edinburgh Fringe in the theatre tent, with well-known companies such as “Paines Plough’ performing.
There is also a great choice of comedians in the Comedy Arena; including Mark Steel and Bill Bailey; music  from acts including Arcade Fire, the Good the Bad and the Queen and Jarvis Cocker;  a film area and Literature Arena with discussions from writers including Louis de Bernieres ( Captain Correli’s Mandolin.)
The event is a relaxed affair, with time to sit and chat as well as see the range of artists and performers.
And, in –keeping with the spirit of festivals, there are plenty of green initiatives. Ecover will even provide environmentally friendly, phosphate free shower gel to every festival go-er.
 www.latitudefestival.co.uk


Port Eliot, 20th-22nd July
If books are your first love, Port Eliot is a lit fest ( but includes music and film too)  with a contemporary edge.
It takes the idea of the literature festival  - such as Hay- on- Wye - and gives it a fashionable twist.
With food from Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen, chat from Biba founder Barbara Hulanicki;  performance from designer Pearl Lowe ( on her own and with husband, Supergrass Drummer Danny Goffey ) and involvement from the ICA, this festival will not see any manky dogs on string leads or scallies torching your tent.
You can even pre-book a tepee, tent, airstream or Podpad. How civilsized!
 www.porteliotlitfest.com



The Secret Garden Party, 26th – 29th July
The Secret Garden Party in Cambridgehire is eccentric,  irreverent, fun and family friendly, with no corporate sponsors or big brands in sight.
The arts and expression theme for 2007 is Brave New Worlds, so expect to use your creative potential throughout the festival fun. 
With lots of unusual arts activities including an installation of new art works, The Magnificent Post Office an arty, modern –day wishing well;  music from such acts including Utah Saints and Echo and the Bunnymen; belly dancing workshops and Club de Fromage ( for people that like dancing round their handbags ) this festival promises to be a party all the way and devoid of pretension or posing.
www.secretgardenparty.com

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