Ramsgate Festival of Sound

Composer, writer, dramatist Neil Brand joins me 8am GMT on Composers on Film! Neil is an expert in film music & an old friend so this is a very special show. Don't miss his adaptation of The Hound of The Baskervilles BBC4 8.30pm Christmas Day - perfect way to relax after a long day of festivities! And you'll love Neil's An Evening with Laurel & Hardy as it tours the UK more details at https://www.neilbrand.com/
https://sohoradiolondon.com/

Wishing Ramsgate FC all the best for tonight's match!! Go Rams!!

Baby it’s cold outside ( if you’re in the UK!) so stay warm & ICYMI listen to my show!

Composers On Film (25/11/2023) - Soho Radio Host Gemma Dempsey has cherry picked soundtrack cues from her composer guests of 2023.

Happening this Saturday! Don’t miss out on this amazing show & help to raise funds for POW! 🎶❤️

Tawiah : POW Winter Concert Join us for a soulful night celebrating women in music.

The Ramsgate Festival of Sound was delighted to have Ruth Rollason and Nick Page participate in three of our festivals and can't wait to see their show that reflects all three installations 'Tides, Sirens and Islands' Oct 20th - 22nd at Hold, Albert St - see poster for times. Make it part of your Ramsgate Day festivities on Oct 21st! Just make sure you don't miss it!

What a Festival this has been, 2023 has been an absolutely incredible experience ✨ Thank you to everyone who joined us, performers, musicians, friends, volunteers and family, we had such an amazing time with you all!

We loved every second of it and we hope you did too, so please share with us your favourite moments from the Festival! We would love to see them as we recover from another outstanding year of live music, performances, dancing and laughing 💕

Big love, the Ramsgate Festival of Sound team x

Simon Boswell’s Dead Music Georges crypt extended! Ends 5 pm today !!

It's the last day of the Festival, and we have a lovely day of events to bring you gently back to earth after last night's mayhem! 🎶🎉

Reimagine – Poetry by Judymay Murphy and Sarah Tait at The Rose of England pub. If you haven't discovered this absolute gem of a garden - what better way to do it than with some poetry? Starting at 2 pm, this is perfect if you're rising a little late this morning...

🚶‍♀️ Fancy a wander? Grab a coffee, head out on the Sonic Trail, and take part in some workshops and special openings:

This Museum Is Not Obsolete is having a special Bank Holiday opening, 1-4pm, £3-£6. Electronic history and Interactive Musical Installations, including a playable church pipe organ, and various synthesizers and computers.

Ramsgate Reconnects - Workshop with Louis Palfrey & Arts in Ramsgate
Today Only, 1-4PM
Free entry

⭐️ Extended Opening ⭐️ Head on over to the crypt at St George's and feast your ears on Simon Boswell's Dead Music. Due to popular demand, we have extended the 'life' of these Resurrected songs from 12 until 5pm today!

Get tickets for Simon Boswell's Dead Music & Poetry with Judymay Murphy and Sarah Tait: ramsgatefestival.org/events-list/

What's on today at Ramsgate Festival of Sound? 💭

Today is a hugely busy day! There is so much on - pick your fave during the day, or do a double-bill at the Royal Oak Hotel before heading down to Busk at Dusk from 4pm.

Explore the Sonic Trail around Ramsgate, and pop into HOLD at 12pm for a talk by sociologist Caroline Knowles on her new book: Serious Money -Walking Plutocratic London.

Looking for the double bill? 🎶
At 12.30pm at The Royal Oak Hotel is a screening of Belongings, a film by Wishbone exploring the story of two lonely outsiders who forge an unlikely relationship when they meet in a charity shop.
Then stay put! Dave Neita (aka Poetry Lawyer) gives a presentation, exploring the manner in which the concept and nature of home changes over a lifetime, with a special focus on the global traveller.

And last but not least, it's time to dance! 💃 It's Busk at Dusk, a mini-festival in itself!

A festival favourite, Busk at Dusk takes place on our spectacular East Cliff Promenade, below the chalk cliffs. There will be plenty of food, hot drinks and a bar 🍻

Kicking off 4pm on the main stage, first on are the stars of Pie Factory Music, Claire Pitt Wigmore, Cydney and the Ansells. Shortly following at 5.10pm we have the exciting Thomas Abrahams. Between 6 and 8pm we have your splendid lineup of buskers in the shelters Ghosts have Guitars, Daisy Beau, Wyatt Riot, Gaddzukes, Dolly & Clyde and Luke J Dorman.
At 8pm we have the moment we've all been waiting for! Simon Boswell's Dead Music will be resurrected, live on the Main Stage!

And as if that weren't enough, The Future Psychedelics The Future (no, that's not a typo!) will then blow your minds, maaaan, with a Ramsgate All-Star 13 piece band psychedelic performance!

Tickets to Busk at Dusk are available online or on the door, we're so looking forward to partying with you this evening! https://ramsgatefestival.org/event/revelation-busk-at-dusk-and-the-future-psychedelics/

Now THAT’s how to Screaming Alley! Candelabra. Genius.

Getting ready for Screaming Alley tonight!!!
With plenty of hot food (Hot Dogs, divine Lebanese with the best rosemary fries), vegan savoury and sweet, and the most divine ice cream freshly churned this morning!
Plus a fully stocked bar. Come on down! We declare the rain OVER.

It's day 4 of the Festival and we're heading off to Ellington Park for our annual spectacular! 🎉

We will be here from 11am -9pm today, with a whole lot to do in this historic park.

From 11am we have baby and toddler sensory, followed by a delightful afternoon of the ever-popular Hear The People Sing from 1pm - hear songs from the West End and movies, showcasing the best of our young talent from Stage Door Arts Academy and the University of Kent, hosted by the inimitable Katie McGarry.

Then from 3.15 get involved in a Taiko Drumming workshop presented by the Taiko Dunlopo drummers and a performance by the Gaddzukes ukulele orchestra.

And after all that there's even more fun to be had, as from 6pm onwards, Screaming Alley presents La Isla Thaneta with Jonny Woo! This Madonna-themed Cabaret Event is hosted by Medway’s very own homecoming comedian/actor/queen and helping you to set the (grass) dance floor on fire will be DJ Lanta.

Performances from Screaming Alley heavyweights including Pat Riarchy, Violet Malice and Blanche Dubois, with support from Skittle, ELZ and La Isla Thanetas surprise Special Guests.

🥙 Looking for a bite to eat?

The Vegan Habit, Morrocain & Lebanese Tapas, Grill Beasts and The Real Scoop Ice Cream will serve up delicious treats all day to satisfy your hunger. The Ellington Park cafe will also be open as usual serving food and drinks.

Remember to bring sun cream, picnic blankets and something warm to wrap up in when the sun starts to set 🌞

Heading out on the Sonic Trail this bank holiday weekend?

Marianne Dissard's installation takes place along the High St, where you can trail the photographs of Central London's plutocratic streets in 'lights-out' storefronts of the pedestrian block between King St. and George St. As well as in an exhibition at HOLD Creative Spaces on Albert Street during opening hours (Friday 12-8, Saturday 11-6, Sunday 11-6, Monday 11-5).

The SOUNDTRACK, accessible via QR code and at each location, is a collection of instrumental covers of 1980s British pop by Raphael Mann.

Also at HOLD, on Sunday 27 August from 12pm to 1pm, there will be a presentation from sociologist Caroline Knowles presenting her seriously fantastic book 'Serious Money: Walking Plutocratic London' (signed copies on sale at Book Bodega).

Explore the Sonic Trail: ramsgatefestival.org/sonic-trail

It's day 3 of the Festival! Find out what's on:

Following on from the successful Turner Contemporary exhibition ‘Banned’ Curator Sabina Desir brings an evening of live music to Chatham House from 6.30 pm. Joined by Randolph Matthews, Tony Kofi, Ralph Wyld, Winston Clifford, Jason Simpson and Jessica Lauren for a sublime night of jazz & blues 🎶

Our sonic trail is open and today Arts in Ramsgate is hosting a free workshop with Louis Palfrey between 1pm - 4pm. Ramsgate Reconnects is a chance for you to find out what’s the council’s plans are for ‘Ramsgate Future’. Offering you an opportunity to amplify your voices, air your views and immerse yourself in a symphony of sounds, as we work together to create a tactile sonic map, thinking through the impact of change and connection together.

See the full line up and download the map: ramsgatefestival.org/

What's on today?💭

This year, the Festival is proud to welcome GRAMMY Award-winning artist Aoife O’Donovan, who will be appearing at St George’s Church this evening with special guests, Irish/Americana duo Dolly & Clyde and Claire Hamill. Don’t miss what will be a very special night of live music 🎶

Our Sonic Trail opens today! ✨ Celebrating the heritage of Ramsgate, all our sonic trail pieces are along and around the High Street - a nice easy walk, so no need to miss out on anything! 🔊

Following yesterday's brilliant opening, Simon Boswell's Dead Music installation, in the wonderful St George's Crypt continues till Sunday! With your ear to the coffins, come and experience the musical works that never saw the light of day.

Head to our website for more information, to buy your tickets and to download the Festival map: ramsgatefestival.org

Introducing: The 2023 Ramsgate Festival of Sound Map!

With so much going on in a number of places around our fabulous town, it could be easy to get lost and miss out on all the fun!

Get your downloadable map and explore Ramsgate this week:
ramsgatefestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/RFS-2023-festival-map-21-8-23.pdf

Ramsgate Festival of Sound begins! 🎉

There is a special opening price of £5 for Simon Boswell’s Resurrection at St Georges Crypt between 12 - 5 pm today.

The price of the ticket also includes a one-off presentation by the artist at 6pm, after which he will then lead visitors through the crypt...

Book tickets to reserve your plot, and get a unique insight into Simon Boswell's work: ramsgatefestival.org/event/resurrection-simon-boswells-dead-music-2/

Busk at Dusk's finale this year is from Ramsgate’s own super group, The Future Psychedelics. Band originator Andy Waterworth from The Penguin Cafe Orchestra explains the Band’s origins…

"One of the reasons I came to Thanet and Ramsgate 5 years ago was the wealth of artist talent and creativity that was happening down here. I’ve persuaded a group of musicians, artists, composers and producers to join me in a new collective formed from an end of exhibition performance at the Mascot Gallery of work by artist and musician Joni Belaruski.

We were joined by trumpet player Duncan MacKay, and theremin player Richard Armstrong and the band The Future Psychedelics The Future was formed. The name stems from a play on an article I read about the future of Psilocybin and its medical properties for healing of the mind and spirit, a look into other dimensions (the future future being another dimension in the future) to facilitate a collective mindset, A leap into the unknown.

The idea of the group grew into a band of many mostly thanks to Duncan’s local musical contacts and friends, with all of the musicians living in the Thanet area, hence the formation of The Thanet Arkestra ( A homage to the great Sun Ra Arkestra) which potentially could grow into a true collective of like minded artist, musicians and creatives, looking forward to a future in the future.

We are performing at the final busk at dusk slot at the Ramsgate Festival of Sound on Sunday 27th of August. A blend of Funk, Psychedelia and chaos our show THE LAST SUPPER will be a mix of originals (written by Waterworth/Mackay ) and covers exploring the subject of the last supper and the natural regeneration of everything
Come down to experience the birth of the future, future and maybe even join the Arkestra”

Get your tickets to Busk at Dusk: ramsgatefestival.org/event/revelation-busk-at-dusk-and-the-future-psychedelics/

Gemma & Simon Boswell on Academy FM with Paul Rutter’s 9.30 am! Hear about the festival & Simon’s ‘Dead Music’ installation!

Guitars Have Ghosts are bringing a very special acoustic performance to this year’s Festival as part of the Busk at Dusk lineup on Sunday 27th August.

The band has appeared around the world including shows at LA’s iconic House of Blues on Sunset Strip. Blending entrancing harmonies with classic rock n roll songwriting, they create tunes that stick in your head. Think Beatles meets Eagles meets Queens of the Stone Age 🤘

Are you ready for Guitars Have Ghosts? Then get your tickets today! ramsgatefestival.org/event/revelation-busk-at-dusk-and-the-future-psychedelics/

Only 6 days to go and we can barely wait!

We are so proud to be welcoming some incredible acts to the Festival this year, including the talented singer-songwriter Aoife O'Donovan, poetry lawyer Dave Neita, film composer Simon Boswell, multidisciplinarian artist Sabina Desir, and so, so many more.

Take a closer look at our full lineup and get your tickets, we wouldn't want you to miss out: ramsgatefestival.org/events-list/

The Moving Essence of Home presented by Dave Neita
August 27th
2:30 - 3:30pm
Royal Oak Hotel

This presentation by Dave Neita explores the manner in which the concept and nature of home change over a lifetime, with a special focus on the global traveller.

Dave Neita is a lawyer, published poet, lecturer and international speaker specialising in cultural leadership. He is a commentator on race, politics, mental health and the arts. An advocate for human rights and an expert in organisational development and mental health, Dave has worked with the Zurich Corporation, Hartford Financial Services, NASA. He delivered a sermon at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Redemption and Transformation and continues to speak widely in Churches in the UK and abroad, promoting a redemptive and inclusive message of bringing about harmony in community.

This event is in partnership with Sabina Desir and her Freedom Road & Banned Live! projects. With special thanks to Terry Prue and The Ramsgate Society.

Reserve your place today: ramsgatefestival.org/event/david-neita/

Ramsgate Festival of Sound is for everyone to have fun and experience the joy of live music, performances and the great town we live in! We have a selection of events suitable for all the family if you want to make some Rams-great memories to cherish for years to come ☺️🎶

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Our Sonic Trail is always a real highlight and this year is looking up to be no different! We have a superb line-up of installations from talented local artists, taking you on a sonic tour of our wonderful town.

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The Ellington Park spectacular is always a feast for the senses, with delicious food, activities for children and an eclectic lineup of performances that all can enjoy.

During the day we will have baby sensory & toddler sense to keep the little ones entertained. Whilst in the afternoon you can join in a Taiko drumming workshop hosted by Taiko Dunlopo before feasting your ears on a spectacular musical theatre performance from Hear the People Sing featuring Katie McGarry, The Coastal Choir, the Musical Theatre Society, and students from the University of Kent.

Later on in the day, prepare yourself for some incredible performances from the ever-fantastic Screaming Alley, who are bringing us a Madonna-themed cabaret for this year’s Festival!

So grab your picnic blanket and bring the smiles on the 26th of August, as we spend the day together and make new friends.

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Do you want to have a bounce and boogie with the little ones? Then get on down to Busk at Dusk on the 27th, where we have an eclectic line-up of musicians just itching to get you grooving & moving! Tickets are £5 for adults and kids go free ☺️

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Curious to see what else we have on? Explore our website and get your tickets: ramsgatefestival.org/events-list

It’s a supersonic Sunday! And what better way to spend it than announcing our lineup for this year’s Sonic Trail 🎶

Explore different locations around Ramsgate and experience our town in a whole new way with a host of talented artists:

⭐️Panty Party by Sadie Hennessy at AsWasIsNow Gallery
The PANTY PARTY is a sonic celebration of breath!

⭐️Scrapbook by Tom Adams at Wooden Box Gallery
This 30-minute musical leans into the idea of how objects continue to have meaning long after people have gone.

⭐️Lights Out Knightsbridge by Marianne Dissard along Ramsgate High Street
Photographs of Central London’s plutocratic streets of Knightsbridge set against a soundtrack of revisited Thatcher-era British protest pop.

⭐️ Ramsgate Reconnects by Louis Palfrey at Arts in Ramsgate
What does it mean to ‘regenerate’ a town? And what will regeneration mean for Ramsgate? Explore the council plans for ‘Ramsgates Future’ and work together to create a tactile sonic map, in one of two workshops being held on Friday 25th August, 1-4 pm or on bank holiday Monday, 28th August, 1-4 pm.

⭐️School of Noise at Arts in Ramsgate
Take a strange journey into the science of sound and music, play with a range of unusual instruments like the theremin & omnichord, and conduct scientific sonic experiments in this workshop on the 27th of August, 12pm - 3 pm.

⭐️Special bank holiday opening at This Museum is Not Obsolete
Dive in electronic history and Interactive Musical Installations. Play with a church pipe organ, various synthesizers and computers on the 28th of August, 1-4 pm.

So what are you waiting for? Oh yeah, for the Festival to start… Well, in the meantime learn more about the Sonic Trail and get your tickets to our other fantastic events: ramsgatefestival.org/sonic-trail

Interested in volunteering and want to find out more? 🤔💭

We are holding a meeting next Thursday, 17th August, at Penelopes (The old Thai Village restaurant, opposite the Modern Boulangerie) from 6.30pm.

Our Festival Director Andrew will take you through a run down of the schedule of events, and then we will go through our code of conduct and health and safety procedures.

We will also give out Festival T-shirts for volunteers, mint green this year (as modelled by the beautiful Lottie), and answer any questions you may have. We will also give you some flyers to pass on to neighbours and friends ☺️

This is also the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow volunteers, so it would be great if you could join us for a chat.

Have you ever wanted to see a resurrection? ☠️

The incredibly talented Simon Boswell / Caduta Massi will be bringing back his 'Dead Music' from deep within the shadowy depths of St George's crypt at this year's Festival 🎶

Get your tickets: https://ramsgatefestival.org/event/resurrection-simon-boswells-dead-music/

Back in the 1990’s, I called my agent in Los Angeles to inquire how the movie that I had just scored had performed on its opening weekend. He replied: ‘Simon, it died’.

Now, three decades later, I have decided what to do with all my ‘dead music’.

In the dark crypt of St George’s church in Ramsgate, visitors will be able to clearly hear some of these long lost themes, playing from within a series of burnished coffins. Just as with pianos, cellos and violins, the resonant wood will amplify the sound, just like a rare Stradivarius. Rest your ear on each casket and listen to my scores pleading for their lives.

Book your slot here for the Crypt at St. George’s Church, Ramsgate August 24th - 27th 12 noon till 5pm

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ramsgatefesivalofsound/952346Cc

Check back every day for the stories behind the pieces that died.

The coffins will be opened and the music resurrected at the Busk at Dusk concert against the white cliffs of Ramsgate on Sunday 27th August 8pm.

📣 People of Ramsgate, we need you!

We are on the lookout for volunteers to join our team for this year’s Festival and make it truly special 🎶

We wouldn’t be where we are today without the volunteers who have given us their time, energy and smiles throughout the years! You make the Ramsgate Festival of Sound extraordinary! ⭐️

This year's Festival runs from the 23rd to the 28th of August, with a variety of volunteer opportunities available. When you volunteer you can meet unique and creative people like you, and see incredible live events & performances 🌞

Send us a message, we would love to hear from you:
[email protected]

Morning! Tune in now! https://sohoradiolondon.com/ me & composer Alexander Parsons as we listen to his musical inspirations & selections of his own scores …

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