On Thursday 30th November 2023 we will be holding a Networking Event to open the Festival, fr the exhibitors and volunteers to have a sneak peek at the trees before we open to the public, and an opportunity for networking. There will be other exciting events happening throughout the Festival too, with Goodwill Evening on 1st December and two fantastic concerts.
The church is also looking to become a real central hub for the town and this festival is raising funds to keep the church going with essential repairs and to plan for an exciting, transformed future (oh, and a new roof!).
St Laurence Church, Church Street, Stroud, GL5 1JLTickets £15 and £10 (concs)
At the door
Following last year’s successful Jazz at Vespers event as part of Stroud’s Festival of Wonder, which had the audience dancing in the aisles, this popular band returns for another appearance.
Come along and hear traditional jazz in a gospel concert setting surrounded by 100 beautiful community Christmas Trees.
The New Orleans Friends re-explore and revive the repertoire that clarinettist George Lewis made famous in New Orleans in the 1950’s. ‘Jazz at Vespers’ runs the full emotional range from soft, contemplative pieces to joyous outpourings of infectious rhythms from lesser known pieces such as “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Jerusalem Blues” to old favourites like “Down By The Riverside” and “Lord, Lord, Lord, You Surely Been Good To Me”. And just like the Lewis band of the ’50s, Alyn’s jazz friends play entirely acoustically without amplification.
Tom Sancton, clarinettist, grew up in New Orleans, and was a student of George Lewis and is an expert in traditional clarinet styles.
Finlay Milne has played trumpet in a variety of jazz settings from traditional brass bands to dance groups, including a long association with Northampton’s Ginger Pig Band.
Simon Picton hails from Dundee and has played guitar and banjo with a wide variety of jazz and r’n’b bands, ranging from the Pasadena Roof Orchestra to T J Johnson, as well as leading his own bands.
Emile Martyn is a specialist in traditional jazz drumming styles, and has lived and worked in New Orleans, playing with many of the city’s musicians.
Martin Litton is one of the UK’s leading traditional jazz pianists, and an expert in both the New Orleans approach of Jelly Roll Morton and the New York stride piano style.
With decades of experience between them and a repertoire of joyous and spiritual beauty this an evening not to be missed.
Only 100 tickets for sale – make this your early Christmas treat in a spectacular setting.
North Indian Classical Song with Deepa Hattangady Karnad and Sanjay Jhala (Tabla).
St Laurence Church, Church Street, Stroud, GL5 1JL
Tickets £15 and £10 (concs)
We are thrilled to be presenting a magical winter’s concert with Deepa Hattangady Karnad at St Laurence Church on Wednesday December 6th 2023 at 7.30pm as part of the Christmas Tree Festival celebrations.
Deepa will be offering a beautiful evening concert of North Indian Songs surrounded by the wonderful community Christmas Trees. Deepa will be accompanied by master tabla player Sanjay Jhalla.
Deepa is noted for her mellifluous voice, articulate unfolding of the raga and extensive depth of repertoire. She has studied for many years with great teachers from the North Indian schools and is herself on a continuous journey of learning and devotion. She has performed throughout Britain, the USA and India.
St Laurence Church is known for its sacred music and Deepa will take us on a journey through some of the inspiring musical poetry of North India. She will introduce us to the poets, translate the words for us, show us the way to listen to the raga and emotion and lead us forward to a blissful sound resonating through this wonderful church.
There are only 100 tickets to be sold – don’t miss this special occasion for all who love Indian music and for those who want to know more. The concert will be in two parts with refreshments in the interval.