Reading Thames Festival returns for a third year running on Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 September 2019. This world-class festival is made locally, celebrating and powered by the incredible creativity of Reading, Berkshire, one of England’s Great Places, (Arts Council, Historic England and Heritage Lottery Fund.)
The four-day festival will present music, film, theatre, dance, circus, spoken word, and offer a variety of food and drink. The festival will also boast an international line-up including Turner Prize Winner Jeremy Deller’s Acid Brass performed by the Fairey Brass Band, Author and BBC presenter Michael Smith, the UK’s leading circus and outdoor arts performers, Cirque Bijou, artists Duckie and author, Orwell Prize winner and Scottish rapper Darren McGarvey aka Loki (The Poverty Safari – Understanding the Anger of Britain’s Underclass).
Taking inspiration from the Thames’ grand heritage as a rich source of creativeness, this year, the festival programme addresses themes of change and transformation, exploring how music, performance and the arts can bring people together in times of social unrest.
The festival will bring together over 20 Reading and Berkshire artists and organisations, including a new co-commission partnership with Reading University. A brand-new festival strand – Art After Dark – will be introduced by performer Janine Harrington this year, due to transform Reading for one unforgettable night. The free one-night event will present art and performances in public spaces you may encounter every day as well as secret, off-the-beaten-track sites and venues.
About Reading Thames Festival
Reading Thames Festival is an annual cross-arts programme presenting works from across the spectrum of music, performance, literature, popular culture, design and visual arts. The festival takes place across Reading’s cultural, unusual and outdoor spaces to create exhilarating audience experiences and unexpected encounters.