From Latitude Festival to Newmarket Nights, here are five events happening in Suffolk this July
Latitude Festival, Henham Park, nr Southwold, July 25-28
It’s the festival that gives a bit of everything – music, comedy, theatre, dance, writers, poets, podcasters and an award-winning programme for children, teens and families.
Headliners include Duran Duran, Kasabian, Keane and London Grammar, with comedians Jo Brand, Sara Pascoe, Joanne McNally and Judi Love giving everyone something to laugh about.
See www.latitudefestival.com/tickets
Quentin Blake: The Illustrated Hospital, Moyse’s Hall Museum, Bury St Edmunds, until October 6
There’s a rare opportunity to see a large collection of pieces by one of the nation’s favourite artists as Moyse's Hall Museum hosts the Quentin Blake: The Illustrated Hospital exhibition throughout the summer.
Some of the illustrations have never been on public display before.
Created in Quentin Blake’s instantly recognisable style, the drawings provide something for everyone with swimming babies, helpful dragons, treetop adventures and poignant landscapes.
Quentin Blake has drawn ever since he can remember. His first drawings were published in Punch while he was 16 and still at school. He is known for his collaboration with writers such as Russell Hoban, Joan Aiken, Michael Rosen, John Yeoman and, most famously, Roald Dahl.
The Illustrated Hospital exhibition is being supported with workshops that will see young and old explorers create dragons and other characters inspired by Blake’s work.
See www.moyseshall.org/whats-on
Primadonna festival, The Food Museum, Stowmarket, July 22-23
A weekend of books and writing, ideas and inspiration, comedy, wellness experiences and more in the meadows of Stowmarket's Food Museum is guaranteed when the Primadonna festival makes its return.
Peppered with literary highlights, among the many guests are Doon Mackichan spilling the beans on her riotous memoir, My Lady Parts; an exploration of folklore and the feminine with Sinéad Gleeson in her haunting debut novel, Hagstone; legendary music PR Jane Savidge on Pulp, Britpop and How Fame Can Let You Down; and Irenosen Okojie on her captivating new novel, Curandera.
Hear from the founders of Aspire Black Suffolk, try your hand at nature writing and even learn how to write good sex scenes! Ela Lee (Jaded) and Chimene Suleyman (The Chain) delve into their new releases, the murky world of gaslighting and taking back control; and Helen Lederer shares her journey through the wild world of comedy in Not That I’m Bitter. . . and there’s plenty more.
If you’re an aspiring writer there’s also the opportunity to get up-close to authors, agents, publishers and book industry influencers, with writing workshops and one-to-one advice surgeries.
Add to that workshops, yoga sessions, a marketplace, cabaret, dance, DJs and live music, and plenty for families to enjoy,
See www.suffolkmuseums.org/museums/food-museum
Carrot Town Garage (CTG) American Car, Bike and Hot Rod Show, Stonham Barns Park, Stonham Aspal, Stowmarket, July 21, 10am-4pm
The fourth show in the series is all about American cars, bikes and hot rods with muscle, power and fabulous paintwork. Expect a dazzling array of cars, bikes, trucks and hot rods. Cars on show at the event will span the last six decades, and include Buicks, Cadillacs, Chevrolets, Chryslers and Fords.
Motion Pictures Motors – a movie car club – will be bringing some famous movie cars to the event and there will be live music from The Sixteenth’s.
There will also be trade and club stands, autojumble, food and drink.
CTG founder Stuart Davies said: “As always it’s going to be an all-action, muscle machine event with some of the best cars and engines you have ever seen and heard.”
Busted at Newmarket Nights, July Racecourse, Newmarket, July 19
Join in with the pop-punk energy of Busted at Newmarket’s popular series of summer concerts that takes in an evening of racing, followed by the open air concert.
It’s been 20 years since Busted bounced into the charts with the irrepressible energy of their debut single What I Go To School For. It kickstarted a succession of hits for the band, including the No.1 smashes Crashed The Wedding, Who’s David, Thunderbirds Are Go, You Said No and the Top 3 singles Year 3000, Air Hostess and Sleeping With The Light On.
They finally got a number one album just last year having had three of their five studio albums peak at number two.
Other concerts in the series with James Arthur, Becky Hill and Deacon Blue take place in August.
See www.thejockeyclublive.co.uk
