If you would like to see your events featured in our weekly What’s On pages please email info@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk
>> Wednesday July 6
Save The Last Dance For Me continues its run at the Assembly Hall all this week until Saturday. The popular jukebox musical stars former boy band member Antony Costa, who was in Blue, and is packed full of familiar hits including Teenager in Love and Viva Las Vegas. Tickets cost from £25.50. To book visit: www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
The Tonbridge Festival is now in full swing. Starting today is the Open Arts Studio which showcases the work of local painters, sculptors and ceramists and features creative creations by several local schools and also Pepenbury’s art studio. Work will be displayed until 5pm on Sat July 9 and some is available to buy.
There will also be a Quiz Night at the Tonbridge Old Fire Station at 8pm. There are only 50 spaces available so places are on a first come, first served basis with teams of five people max. Visit: www.tofstn.com
>> Thursday July 7
At the Odeon, Trinity Theatre and Kino Cinema in Hawkhurst at 7pm you’ll have the chance to catch a screening of Kenneth Branagh’s critically-acclaimed interpretation of Romeo and Juliet. Starring Lily James and Richard Madden, whom he also cast in his very successful version of Cinderella last year, it’s a particularly passionate production which puts a contemporary twist on this classic piece of Shakespeare.
From 6.30pm Cripps and Lark Group will be hosting an Investing in Wine evening at The Secret Cellar. The venue’s Mike Watson, who is one of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts, will be talking about the best bottles to spend your money on and will also have plenty of tips on the dos and don’ts involved when purchasing premier crus and rare vintages. If you would like to attend call: 01892 506 208.
The Jazz on The Pantiles summer season is now in full swing with the Matt Skelton Quartet taking centre stage this evening from 7pm.
If you love a good pub quiz then pop along to the Sussex Arms tonight as it will be hosting one from 8pm. Entry costs £2 and the winner takes all.
>> Friday July 8
The Butterside Up Arts Group are organising a number of free music and comedy sessions in various venues across the town over the weekend. Tonbridge Castle, Café 1089 and Basil are just some of the establishments hosting these pop-up events.
The SIBA South East Beer Festival kicks off today at the Tonbridge Rugby Club. There will be lots of local craft beers and more unusual international varieties to sample over the weekend, which runs from 5-11pm today and 11am-11pm tomorrow. For more info visit: www.tjrfc.co.uk
>> Saturday July 9
Put a spring in your step on Saturday mornings by racing out of bed and heading along to Dunorlan for its weekly Park Run. Starting at 9am, it’s free to enter and will definitely get you fighting fit for the weekend ahead. Tonbridge also puts on a park run every Saturday at the same time at its Racecourse Ground.
If running is just a step too far for you when it comes to a weekend activity, then why not ease yourself into Saturday by giving your tastebuds a treat at the Farmers’ Market in Tunbridge Wells. Running from 9am to 2pm outside the Town Hall, it has lots of delicious seasonal produce as well as home-grown goods. For more information visit: www.kfma.org.uk
The SEEART Gallery Arts Fair takes place in The Pantiles today and tomorrow. Visitors can expect a wealth of inspiring art to admire, and to enjoy the numerous entertainments that will be on offer including jugglers and fire eaters. There will also be musical recitals and face painting for children. For more details visit: www.seeartgallery.co.uk
>> Sunday July 10
As part of its new Health and Wellbeing initiative, Burrswood is launching its Boot Camp Week today. This residential programme, which is on until July 17, includes six days of exercise for both the body and mind and some much needed pampering sessions and alternative therapies. To book a place on this course, which includes full board accommodation, expert training and tips on how to enjoy a balanced lifestyle and nutritious diet, visit www.burrswoodbootcamp.co.uk
Yew Tree Cottage in Penshurst is holding an Open Garden event as part of the National Gardens Scheme. It will be presenting its wealth of unusual and unique floral varieties and its interesting planting schemes. Tucked away in a picturesque pocket of this pretty village and boasting some fascinating flowers, it’s a must-visit for any gardening fan. For more information visit: www.ngs.org.uk
There are more aesthetic offerings at Trinity, where the show Art Rocks by Jo Brown and Karen Gardener is exhibiting until next Sunday, July 17. Jo is an expressionist painter while Karen specialises in sculpture, and between them they have created a collaborative show that examines gravity, form and surface.
Lovers of Italian opera have a treat in store at the Assembly Hall tonight where A Night In Venice is taking place. The audience will enjoy an evening of famous operatic musical pieces and arias from the likes of Puccini, Verdi and Rossini performed by a live orchestra.
>> Monday July 11
At 5pm the park rangers at Grosvenor and Hilbert Park will be giving a walk and talk on birds. It starts with a ramble around the regenerated grounds where participants will be encouraged to seek out different varieties of our feathered friends. Following this will be an informative talk on bird identification in the park’s new Hub space by a representative from the Kent High Weald Partnership. Booking is not required so please just turn up.
Waterstones in Tunbridge Wells welcomes popular TV vet Jo Hardy this evening at 7pm. The star of BBC2’s Young Vets will be talking about her journey to qualifying as a professional vet and signing copies of her new book Tales from a Wild Vet which was published in April this year. (See here for our exclusive interview with Jo.)
>> Tuesday July 12
Trinity is marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death by staging a production of Measure For Measure. Directed by Kirrie Wratten and running from this evening until Saturday, it is has been ‘reimagined in a European city not so far away…’ and promises to be an essential watch. Tickets cost from £12. To find out more visit: www.trinitytheatre.net
The Odeon cinema will be screening Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg at 5.30pm. The Wagner classic was recorded at Glyndebourne and will raise the roof with its musical offerings.
PICK OF THE WEEK
Tonbridge Philharmonic presents Proms at the Castle 6pm Sunday July 10
To officially close the Tonbridge Festival the town’s Philharmonic Society will be hosting a concert on the castle lawn from 8pm. The society, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, will also be joined by their official choir for what promises to be a spectacular musical evening. Gates open at 6pm and the concert starts at 8pm. Tickets cost £15 for adults, £13 for concessions and are available from
www.tonbridgefestival.co.uk
