Festival events are selling out

The festival box office is now open at Phillips and Stubbs in Cinque Ports Street but postal bookings have already seen pianist English pianist Benjamin Grosvenor’s concert at St Mary’s Church selling out.

And tickets for other performances are selling fast.

Andy Stuart, from the festival committee, said: “Ticket sales have been going well.

“Tickets for returning favourite Kanda Bongo Man, who is flying especially from South Africa to play his hot soukous African dance rhythms on Tuesday September 17, are going like hot cakes.

This year’s Festival runs from 14th to 29th September at venues in and around Rye and surrounding villages, and encompasses contemporary and classical music, literary events, theatre, walks, talks and children’s events – paid for and free.

The festival is now in its 42nd yea and is presenting an incredibly diverse programme with a strong line-up of fringe events.

Other Festival highlights this year include legendary folk outfit The Home Service, The Brodsky String Quartet, Virginia Ironside and British explorer Robin Hanbury-Tenison

The box office is open from 9.30am to 1pm on Mondays to Saturdays inclusive through to the finish of Rye Arts Festival at the end of September.

For details of all the events in a packed fortnight, check out www.ryeartsfestival.co.uk or pick up a brochure which can be found at the Box Office and pubs, shops and cafes in and around Rye.