This month's curator(s) is (are) the Herefordshire's a Great Place team. It's a project that's boosting arts + heritage across the county through grants, research and public events.
Curator's Picks
There might be newer, shinier festivals but Nozstock holds a place in Herefordshire hearts like no other. Rudimental and the Sleaford Mods head up the bill at the Bromyard festival, now in its 21st year.
The Guardian picked it out (again) as one of the best boutique festivals in the country, with good reason. The Nosworthy family know what they're doing, and their festival's reputation for creating a genuine community - with its mud-splattered, throwback rave-y vibes - is well-earned.
As if you need another reason to head out to Canwood in the summer sunshine, Nicole Farhi's collection is this incredible snapshot of the everyday iconic figures who moved through her world and her life.
The French French Connection founder and honest-to-goodness fashion icon had been sculpting on the side for 30 years, She called it the “antidote” to working in fashion, and has said recently she’s found love in bronze and clay in a way that she never did with fabric. The busts include Paolozzi and Bacon from the art world, Anna Wintour, and actors Helena Bonham Carter and Judy Dench.
Even the selection from her FOLDS show - which is about hands and creases and almost anything but faces - includes a painter who once sat Lucian Freud and popped in for a cup of tea.
In 2018, Manc brewers Cloudwater Brew Co were named as the second-best brewery in the world.
Founder Paul Jones and Manchester Beer Week creator Connor Murphy are hitting the road to visit their favourite independent beer retailers - including West St's Hereford Beer house. Doors open at noon, and the pair will be hosting an informal chat at the taphouse at 7pm.
Skyfall/American Beauty director Sam Mendes takes on the banking brothers at the heart of the global financial crisis 163-years in the making, in this NT Live screening of The Lehman Trilogy. The epic play's picked up Olivier nominations everywhere - just make sure you grab some food before you go, it's a long shift.
Also screening at The Courtyard in Hereford. You can see the trailer here.
Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is fun. Puppies are fun. Why not put the two together?
This 90-minute session lets you go out for a paddle with your pooch perched on the front of your board. It'll run through how to deal with swans, how to rescue your dog and get you out and paddling around on a board in a gorgeous (and quiet) stretch of the Wye.
Event #3 in Outbound Record's summer series sees them back at the Left Bank to catch the sundown from the Middle Balcony, before heading underground to the Speakeasy to keep things going until 3am (the first half of that is a free event, the latter is ticketed).
The house ( + techno + minimal) DJs have a Funktion-One system to get the most out of their beats in both venues. Follow them on IG here to stay up to date, or look out for the flouro flyers set to paper the town over the next few weeks.
Get a first look at the new work coming out of Feral Productions' Writing Room at Shout.
This collection of live drama comes from new and seasoned playwrights, but it's all original, and all bold. "Support new theatre. Support new writing."
This day-long (FREE) event is a showcases of all things craft - featuring workshops, demos and stalls from local makers.
They say: "Join us at our popular annual event, celebrating craftsmanship, handmade arts and crafts, and showcasing local makers."
While we're talking makers, the Hereford team of very cool, very online site Etsy are hosting a very not-online pop-up on Gormond St in Hereford. Drop in, pick stuff up, have a chat.
And while we're talking Maylord's...
The graduating MA class at HCA are taking over several units at the retail centre to showcase new work. It's on from 20 - 28, but the second weekend features artist tours/talks.
Follow Ellipsis on IG here for more. Image by Nuala Hussey.
