HONK!
7.30 to 9.30pm, Thurs 10, Fri 11 & Sat 12 September
Speen Festival Marquee
Licensed Bar
Tickets: £8, £4 for 16 years and under
A fabulously entertaining musical retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen story ‘The Ugly Duckling’. This Olivier Award-winning show features a host of crazy farmyard characters including an ugly duckling who discovers his inner beauty when he becomes a swan. This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd. Book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe. Music by George Stiles. Advance booking essential.
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Creative-writing Expo^*
10-20 September
Speen Chapel
Free entry
An exhibition of local writing: a collaboration with Speen & North Dean News. For chapel opening times, see www.speenchurch.org
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Photographic Exhibition/Competition^*
2.00 to 5.00pm, Sat 12 & Sun 13 September
Speen Village Hall
Free entry
Come and be inspired by six highly skilled photographers from Speen who will be exhibiting a themed collection of work, some of which will be available for sale. And why not give free rein to your own photographic talent and take part in our competition for adults and children?
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Festival of Food
11.00 to 4.00pm, Sunday 13 September
Speen Festival Marquee/Playing Field
Tickets: £2 Adults, Children free
Celebrate the fabulous food of the Chilterns at our very first Festival of Food. Sample a diverse and delicious range of local fayre, indulge in a glass or two of your favourite beer or wine and feast your eyes on an array of tempting culinary demonstrations by local producers and chefs including the Chef Patron of Speen’s own King William IV.
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Cosmic Quest: A History of Astronomy
7.30 to 9.00pm, Sunday 13 September
Speen Festival Marquee
Licensed Bar
Tickets: £5 Adults, £3 Children
Internationally-acclaimed astronomy experts, Heather Couper and Nigel Henbest will be discussing the people and personalities who have shaped our vision of the cosmos. From the moment the universe was born, via the Aboriginal astronomers of 40,000 years ago, through Omar Khayyam, Copernicus and Galileo, to the present day quest for alien life – prepare for an evening of spectacular imagery and fascinating insights.
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Heavens and Earth and In Between
8.00 to 9.30pm, Monday 14 September
Speen Chapel
Refreshments available
Tickets: £9 (incl a glass of wine and canapés)
An evening of voices and music. Readings from the 17th Century into our own times; music from local stars Alexandra and Charlotte Reid (violins) and Sam Laughton (harpsichord). Programme includes homage to Henry Purcell and poems, politics and prose from the Chilterns. All profits of this concert will be donated to the charity: Agape Alive in India.
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Wildlife Fun for Families^*
4.00 to 6.30pm, Tuesday 15 September
Speen Festival Marquee
Refreshments available
Tickets: £1 Children, Adults free
Where do bats live? Could there be snakes in your garden? What’s in an owl pellet? Take your family on safari in Speen and uncover the secrets of your natural world. Hands-on fun for children up to 12 years. Children’s tea at King WIlliam IV pub (not in ticket price).
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Wild about Speen
8.00 to 9.45pm, Tuesday 15 September
Speen Village Hall
Refreshments available
Tickets: £3 Adults (incl a glass of wine) £1 Children
A fascinating photographic presentation and exhibition about wildlife in Speen and environs by local wildlife expert Peter Symonds. Doors open at 7.30pm.
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Jazz Concert "The Irving Berlin Story"
The Martin Hart Quintet with Lynn Garner
8.00 to 10.45pm, Wednesday 16 September
Speen Festival Marquee
BYO drinks
Tickets: £10
An evening of jazz by the Martin Hart Quintet showcasing the music and story of Irving Berlin including Berlin’s most famous compositions: ‘How Deep Is The Ocean’, ‘Cheek to Cheek’ & ‘Let Yourself Go’. Featured musicians will be Alan Graham on vibes, Mike Wills on reeds, Ken McCarthy on piano and by popular request, the wonderful Lynn Garner on vocals. Doors open at 7.30pm.
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Science Matters
8.00 to 9.30pm, Thursday 17 September
Speen Festival Marquee
Licensed Bar
Tickets: £5 Adults, £2 Students
Healthcare, food, energy, the environment – all highly contentious issues facing society today. What are your views? Where does the scientific community stand? Come and join the debate at Speen’s own take on Question Time. Our discussion panel will include prominent scientists and science writers. Doors open at 7.30pm. Email questions by 10 Sept to: director@speenfestival.org
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Speen Big Sing!^*
6.30 to 7.30pm, Friday 18 September
Speen Festival Marquee
Refreshments available
Free participation
The day that Speen turns up the volume to prove that singing is LOUD, PROUD and FUN! Come and join in a specially commissioned work written by ingenious composer, Julian Allwood. We need you whatever your vocal skills! To bring a group or for more information, email: director@speenfestival.org
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Teatro Unfortunato – Snow Dreams
10.30 to 11.30am, Saturday 19 September
Speen Festival Marquee
Refreshments available
Tickets: £5 Children, Adults free
This riotous children’s theatre company is back with a captivating winter wonderland show. In the land beyond the fridge, our hero Pip discovers a world of polar bears, abominable snowmen and penguins so expect plenty of fun and lots of snow! Why not come dressed as a snowman or a polar bear?
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Speen Bike Park Challenge II^*
2.00 to 5.00pm, Saturday 19 September
Speen Bike Park
BBQ available
Tickets: £2 Children (incl BBQ), Spectators free
Test your skills on a variety of exciting courses and challenging obstacles. With three age groups (8-18yrs) you can compete against your friends for the coveted awards & prizes.
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Cabaret Supper - Reaching for the Stars!
6.45pm till late, Saturday 19 September
Speen Festival Marquee
Licensed Bar
Dress: Black Tie
Tickets £25
Celebrate the finale of Speen Festival 2009 with one of the very finest forms of entertainment: cabaret! We guarantee an intoxicating evening packed with performances from the most talented and gifted singers, musicians and actors. And if you’ve still got energy left to spare, dance away the evening with our Klezma-inspired band, Black Shabbat, led by local guitarist David Johnson.
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Still hungry for more?
If you fancy a bite to eat during Speen Festival, then call Speen’s King William IV on 01494 488329 for a special 2-course set meal from 6.30pm for ticket holders. For further details, see the pub notice board. And if you’re still hungry for more rabble rousing, join us after Speen Big Sing! at the King William IV for some Festival Friday Folk.