Southend Festival offers six weeks of entertainment

For six weeks, this brand new festival - which has ambitious aspirations to garner a reputation like the world famous Edinburgh Fringe - will see a mass of poetry, art, literature, music and more, take place across the town, starting from this Sunday July 1.

Many of the events you may recognise as they were already in existence, but they will be now held under the Southend Festival umbrella, presented by Southend BID (Business Improvement District) in an attempt to "put the Essex coastal town on the wider cultural map". One such hugely popular event which will now be part of the Southend Festival, is the Southend Comedy Festival, which will be bringing in some nationwide headline acts, including comedian Hal Cruttenden and improvisational funnyman Tony Slattery from TV's Whose Line is it Anyway?

A Southend BID spokesman explained "the brand-new Southend Festival has ambitions to become the 'go-to place’ for some of Britain’s top comedians as they warm-up for the famous Edinburgh Fringe".

Southend BID manager, Alison Dewey, added: “By creating the festival, we hope to raise both the profile of Southend on a regional and national level, whilst also creating an exciting and dynamic showcase for all the incredible, creative people we have living and working in and around Southend.

“We’ve tried to create a programme that really does have something for everyone; from politics to poetry, comedy to child-friendly fun days, I think people really will notice a new buzz and vibrancy around the town centre during the six weeks of the festival.”

The Southend Festival has been born following its involvement last year with the Estuary Fringe Festival, a grass roots community art event led by Southchurch based painter John Bulley. The Southend BID had supported the event in 2017 by backing the Estuary Fringe's Southend Art Trail and Paint Fest events.

This year, the Southend BID spokesman explained the Estuary Fringe Festival had been "absorbed" into the Southend Festival, with events such as the Southend Art Trail taking place again, as well as the newly named Paint Jam (a derivative of Paint Fest), which will see internationally recognised London-based graffiti artist Mr Cenz return to Southend to create one of his signature portraits.

Many of the events held across the six week extravaganza, which goes on until Wednesday August 15, are ticketed separately, with various prices ranging from £2, to £5, to £30 per ticket. However, you can have a chance at winning a "Golden Ticket" which will get you into each ticketed event for free.

Enter via visitsouthend.co.uk/whats-on/the-southend-festival/golden-ticket by 12pm today. One lucky winner will receive two Golden Tickets valid for the named winner and their allocated friend only.

Several "free admission" events are also being held across the six weeks, including a number of live gigs.

Visit visitsouthend.co.uk for all ticket information.

ECHO PICKS

What: Southend Art Trail

When: July 12 - August 15

Where: Southend High Street/town centre

Damage: Free

The Southend Art Trail says it provides a "democratic platform for local artists", using the High Street to exhibit their work to bring together a range of media, including digital art, sculpture, painting, performative and crafts. From artists who have never shown before to seasoned exhibitors, around 40 artists will be displaying amazing artwork in town centre businesses.

The event has been curated by Amy McKenny, Southend based artist and founder of the old TAP Gallery, in North Road, Southend. Artists include James Quinn (Body’s Opticians); Louie Symons

(Revolution); Zoe Howe (Revolution); Andrew Cotterill (South Records); Mark Wadeson (il Pescatore); Laura Mills (Slug and Lettuce); Andrew Kenyon (Molo Lounge); Michael Allars (Oxfam); Mark Phillips (Oxfam); Project 49 (Victoria Shopping Centre); Victoria Sills (Trespass); Rosalie Bottley (Trespass); Callum Robins (Pipe of Port); Lily Bond (Pipe of Port); Nicola Cornish (Escape Live);

Audie-Shaka Series (The Railway Hotel); Hattie Mitchell (Hush Bar); Ewan Barr (The Alex); Michael Wheeler (The Alex); Mia Stannard (The Alex); John Bulley (McDonalds); Sophie Thomas

(Waterstones); Karen Apps (Clarence Yard); Sophia Faraway (Clarence Yard); Tom Tadman (Clarence Yard); Beata Csanadi (Bearta Tattoo); Steven Lawes (Legened Deli); Bonnie Blueman (Pulp);

Eloise Birnam-Wood (Legend Deli); Sharon Stone (Havens Hospice); Bronwyn Oldham (Royals Shopping Centre); Seven Artists Collective (The Royal Hotel); Kerry Davis (Grosvenor Casino);

Leanna Moran (Gleneagles Guest House); Tia Howell (Gleneagles Guest House); Art of the Village (Adventure Island); Laura Trevail (Adventure Island).

What: Southend Comedy Festival - Edinburgh Fringe Previews - Hal Cruttenden and Stephen Bailey

When: July 5, 7:30pm - 10pm

Where: Dick De Vignes, 2-4 Warrior Square, Southend.

Damage: £8

Comedian Hal Cruttenden, who has made several appearances on TV hit shows such as Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week and more, will be performing his one hour show Chubster, which will be his Edinburgh Fringe Show.

He will share the bill with Stephen Bailey, a comedian you may know from TV shows such as ITV's Weekend with Aled, Comedy Central's Live at the Comedy Store, Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side who will "return with a story that is full of northern warmth, some working-class guilt and a bit of blue".

What: Free Art Friday

When: July 27, 12:30pm - 3pm.

Where: Southend High Street, underneath the railway bridge.

Damage: Free

This event was first spearheaded locally by Southend street artist Venus Rubertazzi in 2014, as a Southend arm of the nationwide Free Art Friday movement. From 12:30pm there will be a range of art pieces from artists all over England to pick up and take away with you... for free! Yes! Free! You are invited to "come along to grab a piece of history - you never know, one day they may be famous!" The event takes place until 3pm but once artwork is gone, that's it!

What: Southend Comedy Festival - The Laughter Academy Presents Scared Scriptless

When: July 19, 7pm - midnight

Where: Sands By The Sea, Western Esplanade, Southend

Damage: £10 (plus booking fee)

This show is produced by The Laughter Academy who will present "an evening of Improvised Comedy: Scared Scriptless". Last year, as part of the Southend Comedy Festival, the Scared Scriptless team were joined by stand-up supremeo Russell Kane. This year, they bring you three equally as funny and talented guests for the price of one ticket! You are invited to join local impro legends from the Scared Scriptless team, Lee Tearrell (The Laughter Academy) and John Oakes (Radio Essex, Impro Panto) along with industry heavyweights Tony Slattery (Who's Line is it Anyway?) Richard Vranch (Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Comedy Store Players) and the inimitable Suki Webster (Paul Merton's Impro Chums, Comedy Store Players). Tickets are limited!

What: El Ray

When: July 5, 9pm until midnight.

Where: The Railway Hotel, Clifftown Road, Southend

Damage: Free

This is an ongoing, established event which takes place on the first Thursday of every month. During the Southend Festival, it will take place as usual, upstairs "in the smaller room for intimacy and good vibes". A band, (Holler For Mary) and songwriter guests will collect around a table "drinking, talking and playing songs". Sets are stripped back.

What: The Curly Wurly Extravaganza

When: July 10, 7:30pm

Where: The Railway Hotel, Clifftown Road, Southend

Damage: £5

The Railway Hotel first put this event on last year. It returns during the Southend Festival with none other than Anne Pigalle as the star of this "vaudevillian, music hall, tacky variety show". The much celebrated French chanteuse, writer, musician, art performer, poet, photographer and painter, who has a cult superstar status in her home land and abroad, joins the stage with Wendy S, El Bunterinos, "Maddie off the bar, Dulakes junior and their mates and other halves and that nice lady that did Ethel Merman", explains Railway Hotel landlord Dave Dulake.

"It kicks off at 7.30pm with 45 minutes worth of under rehearsed sketches, songs with funny lyrics, poems, stand-up etc, followed by a 20 min spot from The Punk Piaf to close each half" he adds. One not to be missed!

What: Harrison Dolphin Jazz Trio

When: Sunday July 1, 1pm - 4pm

Where: Twenty One, Pier Approach, Western Esplanade, Southend

Damage: Free

Join bebop trio Harrison Dolphin, Lorenzo Morabito and Kai MacRae who will be performing a selection from the bebop and hard bop era of jazz, accompanied by guest trumpeter Gabriel Taylor. It all takes place at the Focal Point Gallery's little sister cafe-gallery-cultural centre, Twenty One.

What: Southend Pride - Poetry Evening

When: July 16, 7:30pm - 10:30pm

Where: Utopia, The Royals Shopping Centre, Southend

Damage: Free

Southend LBGTQ+ poets and writers will be performing their work in a relaxed and welcoming environment. All welcome. "Enjoy a tea or coffee, listen to some poetry and celebrate the rainbow of our community" says the bill. The evening is hosted by poet Cat Howe, the line up includes Lewis Archer, Alexa Barrett, Rachel Dalton, Emy-Lee Parsons, Jake Penny, Ren Stedman and Toska Wilde. This event is sponsored by Utopia.

What: Fighting Talk - featuring Jack Monroe, Anna Minton, Sadie Davidson and more

When: 22 July, 7pm - late

Where: The Palace Theatre, London Road, Westcliff

Damage: £12

Hosted by local author Audrey Snee (aka Una Rose), The Southend Festival presents a discussion with five UK leading authors and campaigners who have taken on the media and politicians and fundamentally altered the way society views poverty, disability, discrimination and the environment. Expect tears and laughter as Jill Allen-King OBE, Jack Monroe, Anna Minton, Sadie Davidson, Paul Gilson and Audrey herself, tell stories of tragedy and triumph and reveal the truth behind the headlines. First three speakers: 5-10mins plus Q&A. 15 minutes interval at 8.15pm. Last two speakers: 30mins plus Q&A. Book signing: 9.30pm.

What: Cabaret Finale

When: July 29, 6:30pm - midnight

Where: Park Inn Palace Hotel, Church Road, Southend

Damage: £30

Compered by comedian Ross McGrane and Angel Melodyhorn, they welcome drag star Shyanne O'Shea to headline this cabaret show, along with popular Southend based singer Winter joining the stage, plus Davyd Skull Illusionist; Jobe Neaser aka Blue Sicx - juggler; JSPADES - magician; Madeleine Mehlum - comedian; Faye-Au-Lait - burlesque dancer; Lady Blue Phoenix - burlesque dancer; David Woodcock - Musician. This show includes a two course dinner. Visit visitsouthend.co.uk for more information.

What: Sunday Showcase

When: July 29, 12pm until 6pm

Where: Royal Pavilion, Southend Pier, Western Esplanade, Southend

Damage: Free although pier admission fee applies.

Local bands and musicians CJ2, Arthur Doo, Chris Robson, Below Sea Level, Bertie Scott, Rollin Machine, The Long Run, The Squished, Soulfire, The Caramellos, The Trusted, Anna Marie and the Barry Wilson Ukelele Band will be performing at the Royal Pavilion. The bar will be open, as well as Salt Cafe, The Chip Hut, ice-cream hut and crazy golf course and more. Make sure you get the train at 12pm to catch the first act and if not, they are running on the hour and half past from the land end. The event is free but pier admission fee applies.

What: Outdoor Cinema - Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (1971)/ Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)

When: August 4 and August 11, 6pm - 8pm.

Where: The Forum, Elmer Square, Elmer Avenue, Southend

Damage: Free

In conjunction with The White Bus and Visit Southend this series of free outdoor cinema screenings returns for the summer, showing each Saturday in August, with Willy Wonka and Fantastic Mr Fox falling within the period of the Southend Festival. All you need to do is bring a chair, a blanket (in case it gets chilly) and your own refreshments. You may wish to arrive early to get a good spot for viewing the film.