By 1825, nearing the end of his life, Beethoven had suffered years of painful ill health, emotionally draining family troubles and a profound deafness. However, in this astonishing and beautiful string quartet, the heart of the work is titled ‘Song of Thanksgiving to the Deity from a convalescent’. Despite contemplating his own mortality, Beethoven gives […]
Award-winning poet Jenny Mitchell will perform work from her three prize-winning collections, and a recently edited anthology called ‘Everyone Started Singing’. She will also be in conversation with Roz Dace about the power of poetry to change lives, followed by an audience Q&A.
A delightful programme of early Baroque music from Rome, with the voices of Maria Danishvar, Jane Hunt and Philippa Neaverson soaring over Din Ghani’s archlute and baroque guitar in a happy hour of music that is intimate, expressive, and full of character — music that feels surprisingly direct, even four hundred years on. Musicke in […]
Sir Tony Robinson has become Britain’s foremost face of popular history through his career as an actor, presenter and author. Delivering the 25th anniversary edition of the prestigious Bob Morris Lecture, he draws on his life and love of history by weaving tales from a long career making history and archaeology television. Doors 6.30pm Sponsored […]
We regret to inform you that this event has been cancelled due to illness Help celebrate 50 years of Dorothy House Hospice Care with a Carnival of Fashion. Local models of all adult ages, sizes and shapes showcase affordable, reusable clothing at low costs. Browse and buy items at stalls in the foyer before and […]
Enjoy a night of poetry and be the first to hear the winning poems for the Crysse Morrison Prize for Poetry 2026, presented by judge Kate Fox. A stand-up poet, spoken word artist and broadcaster, Kate will also be performing some of her own poetry. Share your own works in a relaxed Open Mic. Sponsored […]
Frome’s finest contemporary musicians join forces with stars from across the South West in a unique musical tribute to the region's historic residency of former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I. Laura Jurd, Will Gregory, Martin Kolarides and other local luminaries explore Ethio-Jazz, a unique fusion of the traditions of jazz and African music. From 1936-1941(43) […]
Richard Pinnock (tenor) and Gareth Burgess (piano) celebrate the composer Benjamin Britten and his partner, the tenor Peter Pears, with a recital of songs they performed together and apart, including works by Purcell, Schubert, Poulenc, Warlock and many more. CHRIST CHURCH LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES PASS Enjoy a fantastic selection of lunchtime performances at Christ Church […]
Join us for an inspiring evening of radiant choral and organ music spanning four centuries of the English sacred tradition. From the serene beauty of Tallis’ If Ye Love Me and Purcell’s Bell Anthem, to the rich Romantic warmth of Stanford’s Magnificat in A and Bairstow’s Blessed City, Heavenly Salem, this programme celebrates the power […]
The Haydn Jeugd Strijk Orkest is one of the leading youth string orchestras in the Netherlands. A vibrant platform for young musical excellence, the ensemble brings together talented string players with many studying at leading European conservatoires. Enjoy a rich programme of string music including works by Purcell, Elgar, Mendelssohn and Vaughan-Williams.
We regret to inform you that this event has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances Tony Moore’s acclaimed prog‑rock show AWAKE blends immersive storytelling and vivid imagery. An original Iron Maiden member and Cutting Crew keyboardist, this performance marks 50 astonishing years in music. See him just days before he heads to Knebworth, delivering an […]
Don't judge a book by its cover. Or so we're told... But a cover can make or break any book - however great or terrible. Join Mark Ecob, one of the UK's leading cover designers, in conversation with Tina Gaisford-Waller of Hunting Raven, and discover the secrets of what sells.
On January 29, 2024, Red Crescent volunteers receive an emergency call. A five-year-old girl is trapped in a car under fire in Gaza, pleading for rescue. While trying to keep her on the line, they do everything they can to get an ambulance to her. Her name was Hind Rajab. Using real-life audio recordings from […]
Two of British folk’s most distinctive and highly regarded artists join together in a brand new inspired collaboration. BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards winner Jackie Oates is a celebrated singer and multi-instrumentalist widely known for her tender, arresting interpretations of traditional folk songs. Drawing on her Irish heritage, pianist and singer Belinda O’Hooley’s music showcases […]
Straight from the heart of Los Angeles, Heathen Apostles deliver a haunting blend of Gothic Americana, dark roots, and gothic country. This supergroup features former members of iconic bands like The Cramps, Radio Noir, Kings of Nuthin', and Christian Death
Buena Bristol Social Club is a collaboration of top-notch Cuban and Bristol-based musicians in the Latin music scene. Cuban musician, Michel Padron has carefully crafted a band that faithfully preserves the distinctive sound and flavour of Buena Vista Social Club’s music. The band’s music is a blend of traditional Cuban rhythms, jazz, and folk, with […]
Listed between Chet Baker and Count Basie in Geoffrey Smiths BBC publication ‘100 Jazz Greats’, Frome resident Iain Ballamy has a rare and beautiful sound on the tenor saxophone, both captivating and instantly recognisable. His remarkable quartet features fellow Frome-based jazz luminaries - pianist Gareth Williams, bassist Nick Pini and drummer Dave Smith. Since emerging […]
Following Alphabet 1 and Alphabet 2 recitals in 2024 & 2025, Alphabet 3 explores organ music by composers with names beginning with letters from J to M. An evocative journey through three centuries of organ music, from the baroque chorales of Krebs, to the Romantic sonatas of Mendelssohn, and the colourful 20th-century works of Langlais, […]
Emma Sheppard saw for herself the inhumanity of the Victorian workhouse and made it her mission to reach out to those in poverty and need, and press for reform to a system which was empty of compassion and full of needless cruelty and neglect. David Heath is a well-known local speaker, and former Frome MP.
Frome College returns with another bands’ night, featuring seriously talented local musicians performing live. The event also gives young technicians valuable hands-on work experience with sound mixing. So grab your friends and come and enjoy great music, good vibes and a fun night out.
Discover Britain’s oldest trees with author Julian Hight in an illustrated talk featuring stunning photography, music and video. From great oaks to Celtic rainforest, millennial yews to remnant hunting forest, their stories, legend and mythology are revealed through an ancient treescape. Entry includes £2 off Julian’s new Ancient Tree Explorer book. http://www.treeman.uk
Authors Peter Clark and Annie Elliot bring Charles and Catherine Dickens back to life with vibrant scenes from their different Dickens books. Find out what happened when middle-aged Charles fell in love with a teenager and wanted to be rid of the loving wife, who had given him ten children.
Acclaimed as one of the world's finest classical guitarists and named on Classic FM's "100 Top Classical Musicians of Our Time", Xuefei Yang joins Madrid-born flamenco dancer Maria Vega to present a sparkling evening of authentic Spanish music and dance. Performing works from across Spain, the combination of Yang’s award-winning musicianship and Vega’s impressive choreography […]
Spafford Campbell are twenty-something mould-breakers, fiddle player Owen Spafford and guitarist Louis Campbell. The two first met as teenagers playing traditional music. The connection, they say, was immediate. The duo Spafford Campbell began playing live in 2018, prompting double takes with their delicacy, dynamism and seemingly telepathic exchanges, with the startling intimacy of musical conversations […]
T’Pau burst onto the music scene in 1987, when hit Heart & Soul led to a meteoric rise in the UK and US. After a European Arena Tour supporting Bryan Adams and another UK Tour of their own, T’Pau were nominated for 5 Brit Awards, an Ivor Novello Award and won an ASCAP Award from […]
Come dance under a Blue Moon! Together for the first time at the Frome Festival, these two very different but intricately linked bands will intrigue your mind and engage your body as they weave magical violin and keyboard with the strumming of strings, the plucking of bass, the beating of drums and a splash of […]
Arguably the first true horror film, The Cabinet of Dr Caligari tells the story of a sinister hypnotist who uses a somnambulist, Cesare, to commit murders in a town defined by distorted, nightmarish sets. Returning for an annual highlight of the Frome Festival programme, organist David Bednall, one of Europe's finest improvisers, will provide the […]
Chris Hurn and Stefano Vandelli bring the magical and fluid combination of cello and kora as "string2string". Pravaha is a Sanskrit word meaning flowing or streaming forth as in the continuous movement of water and air and is the title of their second CD. CHRIST CHURCH LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES PASS Enjoy a fantastic selection of […]
Frome’s wartime MP Mavis Tait was never dull. A committed feminist, she was never afraid to make her point, whether it was defeating Churchill on equal pay, seeing for herself life in the Somerset coalmines, or reporting back on the horrors of the Nazi extermination camps. David Heath is a well-known local speaker, and former […]
Saddle Goose winemaker Adam has joined forces with Libby from The Little Frome Cookery School to bring an intimate evening of food and wine pairings. Experience bold vegetarian small plates and bites alongside expressive natural wine. https://saddlegoose.co.uk/events
**We regret to inform you that this event has been cancelled. All ticket holders will be contacted regarding refunds** Step back in time to meet one of the UK’s most celebrated cult television entertainers! Wacaday’s utterly brilliant, ‘Timmy Mallett’ will be joining us on Friday 10th July at Rook Lane Chapel, Frome. The evening will […]
Nicholas is a prize-winning novelist and biographer. In discussion with Kylie Fitzpatrick, he will explore the intimate connection between writers and spies, and the authors and places which have inspired him. In his latest novel, ‘Frame 37’, Dyer – an ex-journalist – tries to stop a dubious candidate from becoming US President.
Acclaimed pianist presents an extraordinarily eclectic mix of pieces by Bach, Mozart, Chopin, John Adams and Paul McCartney. Event in aid of Christ Church’s building fund, Christ Church Future. “Charles Wiffen produced one of the indisputable highlights of the whole Festival. . . a kaleidoscope of cascades of notes, at times delicate and lyrical, at […]
Frome Good Afternoon Choir, lead by their multi-talented and popular choir leader Matt Finch, welcome The City of Bath Male Choir to join them to entertain you and be Happy Together! There will be a retiring collection for family support charity, Purple Elephant.
Sam Sweeney and Grace Smith are two of England’s leading fiddle players, known for their powerful, expressive playing and deep connection to traditional music. Sam, a BBC Folk Award winner and veteran of Bellowhead and Leveret, has been called “Britain’s Premier Fiddler” (Songlines), while Grace, a rising star with her acclaimed trio and work with […]
The Hotwells Haulers are a seasoned group of musicians and singers who have performed together for over thirty years. Based in Hotwells, Bristol’s historic first port of call, and rooted at the iconic Nova Scotia tavern, several members are former Bristol Shantymen. They bring a lively programme of shanties, sea songs and tunes, many drawn […]
Martin Kolarides (guitar, who declines to say if his extraordinary skills are due to a late night crossroads meeting), Keith Harrison-Broninski (piano), and Pete Maxfield (double bass) fuse jazz with traditional music to play everything from Celtic, spirituals, gospel, and blues to Doc Watson, Hendrix, modal jazz, modern Cornish session tunes, and Oscar Peterson's anthem […]
Often compared to the likes of Flight of the Conchords, Tim Minchin, and Bo Burnham, Tom Veck is a hilarious and inventive musical force who effortlessly blends the relatable with the ridiculous and the thought provoking. His five-star, sellout show at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023 drew widespread acclaim and had him put forward for […]
**NOTE: Change of date from printed brochure! Event 1119 previously listed as 11th, but Far-Cue will take place on FRI 10 JULY** Emerging from a pile of dirty ashtrays and crushed beer cans in 1996, Far-Cue set out to make gigs in their hometown fun again. Originally planning to stay together for just a month, […]
Techmeout, a Frome-based promoter known for authentic underground techno events and carefully curated line-ups, presents a special Frome Festival show featuring Nick Hayes, aka The Last DJ. The Leeds artist has gained global attention for raw hardware-driven techno, viral performances, energetic sets and infectious enthusiasm. **Note: £10 on door (£5+bf earlybird)**
Immerse yourself in the power of West African dance with this family-friendly workshop in traditional Senegalese style. Move with big, dynamic steps to the pulse of live drumming, led by highly experienced dancer and workshop facilitator, Landing Mané. The uplifting and vibrant drumming rhythms will support mental wellbeing and engage your body, mind, and soul. […]
Andrew Miller talks to Emma Craigie about ‘The Land in Winter’, his Booker-shortlisted, ‘word-of-mouth favourite’ novel, set in Somerset during the Great Freeze of 1962-3. As the relentless snow creates a new world, two neighbouring couples start to question what it is they want from life.
Join an electrifying afro salsa workshop led by an internationally renowned dancer and choreographer from Senegal. Move to the irresistible rhythms of live music, blending vibrant African roots with a sizzling Latin twist. Feel the energy, learn dynamic new steps, and experience Africa in a whole new way, right here at Frome Festival! All ages […]
Jacqui Dankworth, a world class jazz singer. Annette Walker, an acclaimed tap dancer who performed this special routine at the BBC Proms. 16-piece professional big band featuring the best of local jazz talent including Martin Kolarides and Ross Hughes. A massed chorus of voices from across our community. All performing a masterpiece by jazz legend […]
Jacqui Dankworth, a world class jazz singer. Annette Walker, an acclaimed tap dancer who performed this special routine at the BBC Proms. 16-piece professional big band featuring the best of local jazz talent including Martin Kolarides, Ross Hughes and Mark Whitlam. A massed chorus of voices from across our community. All performing a masterpiece by […]
Join Cara Dillon and Sam Lakeman as they perform songs from across her celebrated catalogue and celebrate the town they call home in this special Frome Festival programme. Cara’s stunning, emotive voice has bridged tradition and innovation, earning countless prestigious awards and accolades over a 30-year career. She remains a towering figure in Irish music.
Celebrate the rich heritage of West Africa with internationally acclaimed kora virtuoso Sura Susso and formidable percussionist Amadou Diagne. Blending the timeless beauty of kora music with contemporary flair, their magical, high-energy performances weave rich storytelling, rhythm, and melody into an uplifting, unforgettable night of unity and cultural connection. Featuring dancer and choreographer Landing Mané. […]
**The Dooks gig will be rescheduled due to the football (Far-Cue WILL be playing at The Sun Inn on Friday 10th)** Back home in Buzzard County, The Dooks are known as 'The Motörhead of Country Music'. They play original country rock songs with redneck attitude and humour. They also do covers by the likes of […]
**This event will be rescheduled due to the football** Dig For Fire brings alternative jams on vinyl to Frome Festival. Owen’s Sausages & Hams transforms into Frome’s own dive bar, with cold beer and a soundtrack featuring Sonic Youth, Pixies, Joy Division, The Stooges, Gang of Four and more. From floor-filling hits to inspired deep […]
**NOTE: The organisers of Synaesthesia will be accommodating football fans by showing the England v. Norway quarter-finals on a big screen in the Silk Mill courtyard, including commentary. The Gallery will remain a dancefloor with lasers and visuals** A new event for this year’s festival, teaming Frome Music Club DJs with audiovisual artists from the […]
Join Frome Writers Collective for a wonderful celebration of local, regional and international writing talent. The winners of the Young Writer Competition and the Frome Writers in Residence contest will be announced, and acclaimed author Claire Fuller will reveal the winners of the Frome Short Story Competition and award the prizes.
Saddle Goose Winery are hosting a wine vs beer cheese pairing match up with local brewery Somer Valley. Five cheeses meet their perfectly paired wine and beer in a flavour showdown to see who comes out victorious! Get ready to sip, chat, vote and laugh! https://saddlegoose.co.uk/events/
Emeritus Professor of Physics at Imperial College London, Prof. Keith Barnham considers how Frome could become the first UK town with an all-renewable electricity supply from wind and solar power. The software GIFTS (Get It From The Sun) compares solar and wind supply with grid demand and calculates the anaerobic digestion required to deliver secure […]
Lily Dunn talks to Harriet Derioz about the importance of memoir in our fragmented times, as a transformative experience for both writer and reader. A discussion about life - writing as a shifting and changing form, and why a personal narrative is so much more than finding the story and sharing it with the world.
**Note: Change of venue to Bar Lotte and now this is a FREE event. Sets will be at 5.30pm and 7pm enabling people can enjoy other events as well** Fofoulah blend the propulsive rhythms of Senegalese sabar drums with dub basslines, sci-fi synths and raw guitars. This London-based quintet fuses Wolof vocals, trance-like grooves and […]
From the birth of opera to the full flowering of the Baroque, this programme traces love, loss and transcendence across a century of musical theatre. Featuring music by Monteverdi, Purcell, Rameau and Handel, it brings together highlights from L’Orfeo, Dido & Aeneas, The Fairy Queen, Les Indes galantes, Acis & Galatea and Theodora. Intimate laments, radiant choruses and colourful instrumental interludes combine […]
Multi-award winning ‘comic genius’ (The Scotsman) and the new star of Taskmaster (Ch4), Phil Ellis is going on his first full national stand-up tour. Following his three big award wins at the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Phil presents his brand-new show ‘Bath Mat’, jam packed with laugh-out-loud profound silliness, superbly crafted gags and constant surprises. […]
Boubacar Samake, son of the late Malian music legend Sibiri Samake, carries forward the deep spiritual tradition of Mali’s donso (hunter) music — a lineage of ritual melodies and rhythms played for courage, healing, and connection to the natural world. A virtuoso of the ngoni, the plucked lute at the heart of donso music, Boubacar […]
Eliza Carthy will be performing a very special live show with special guest opening artist, Martha Tilston on the final night of Frome Festival 2026! In the wake of Martin Carthy’s unexpected recent retirement, Eliza has drawn together a community of varied and talented musicians, all of whom have played a role in Martin’s outstanding […]