Welcome to Deal Music and Arts Festival 2024.
The information below gives full details of all the exciting events taking place including ticket prices and link to book.
Alternatively, to go straight to the box office, please click the Box Office button below.
Tickets are also available in person from the Astor Theatre, Stanhope Road, Deal or by phone 01304 370 220 (Mon-Fri 10am-2pm and Sat 9am-1pm)
Poetry & Literature
6 July
11:00 am
The Cleary Hall, Landmark Centre
Poetry Day Poetry Readings
Hosted and curated by Jacob Sam-La Rose, poets working at the forefront of contemporary poetry perform their work across the day.
6 July
5:00 pm
Linden Hall Studio
Poetry and Music 2
Performance poetry by Jacob Sam-La Rose interwoven with arrangements of Bach’s Goldberg Variations for viola and cello, as well as contemporary music.
6 July
7:00 pm
The Cleary Hall, Landmark Centre
Free Open Mic Poetry Night
Come along and discover the wealth of local talent as poets share their work.
7 July
12:00 pm
The Astor Theatre
Tom Service – Listening in Paris
Journalist and presenter Tom Service, takes up the themes of James H Johnson’s book.
7 July
4:30 pm
The Astor Theatre
Jane Glover – Mozart in Italy
In a new biography, the distinguished conductor and writer Jane Glover travels with Mozart on his three journeys to Italy.
8 July
4:30 pm
The Astor Theatre
Jonathan Coe – The Political meets the Personal
In conversation with Christopher Cook, Jonathan Coe discusses his own life and times as a writer.
9 July
5:00 pm
The Astor Theatre
The Quest for Arthur
Lord Gawain Douglas, poet and musician, suggests that while the once and future king may have been a warrior chief who fought against Saxon invaders, in Arthur's case myth is mightier than fact.
10 July
4:00 pm
The Astor Theatre
Mary Tudor, Queen of Sorrows
Historian and novelist Alison Weir has made the Tudors her own. Now she takes up the story of Mary, only child of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon.
11 July
4:30 pm
The Astor Theatre
Deborah Moggach – Telling Tales
Amanda Holloway talks to Deborah Moggach about telling stories, in print and on screen.
12 July
4:30 pm
St Andrew's Church
Gavin Esler – Britain is Better than This
In a year leading up to a General Election, Gavin Esler probes what he argues are the failures at the heart of Britain’s democracy.
Theatrical & Films
5 July
5:00 pm
The Astor Theatre
Dracula Bite-Size
Dracula Bite-Size is a new collaboration between Jon Iles (from ITV’s The Bill) and Sarah Watts.
7 July
11:00 am
Near Deal Memorial Bandstand
Circo Rum Ba Ba’s The Whale
Bold explorers squeeze into the belly of an enormous inflatable Sperm Whale where they find themselves in the depths of the bubbling, kelp-swirling ocean.
9 July
10:30 am
Meet at Deal Pier entrance
Deal’s Historic Walking tour
Join local expert George Chittenden for an illuminating and entertaining walk taking in Deal’s colourful history.
9 July
7:30 pm
10 July
5:30 pm
Linden Hall Studio
French Film Festival – Jules et Jim
Truffaut’s classic 1962 New Wave romantic drama set before and after World War I is about a tragic love triangle.
11 July
4:30 pm
The Astor Theatre
Deborah Moggach – Telling Tales
Amanda Holloway talks to Deborah Moggach about telling stories, in print and on screen.
11 July
5:45 pm
Linden Hall Studio
French Film Festival – Le Mépris (Contempt)
The second in our French film series, Jean-Luc Godard’s 1963 New Wave drama, starring Brigitte Bardot.
11 July
7:30 pm
St Mary's Arts Centre, Sandwich
Mozart’s The Magic Flute
Critically acclaimed opera company Wild Arts perform their third summer season.
12 July
10:30 am
Meet at Deal Pier entrance
Deal’s Historic Walking tour
Join local expert George Chittenden for an illuminating and entertaining walk taking in Deal’s colourful history.
12 July
5:45 pm
Linden Hall Studio
French Film Festival – Franz
The finale of our French film festival, Jacques Brel’s popular 1971 film set in a Belgian seaside boarding house for civil servants recovering from surgery and maladies.
12 July
8:00 pm
The Astor Theatre
Barbara – La Solitude
Following the film ‘Franz’, Jessica Walker’s show Barbara - La Solitude explores the extraordinary life and work of one of the greatest singer-songwriters of the 20th century.
Families & Young People
4 July
7:30 pm
St George's Church
White Cliffs Symphonic Winds
Deal’s local maestro, Graham Harvey, returns to lead his band in a concert of film and gaming music.
5 July
5:00 pm
The Astor Theatre
Dracula Bite-Size
Dracula Bite-Size is a new collaboration between Jon Iles (from ITV’s The Bill) and Sarah Watts.
6 July
10:00 am
The Astor Theatre
The Koala who Could
Dance graduates of Canterbury Christchurch University will give a short performance and lively, interactive dance workshop for children aged 3-8.
7 July
11:00 am
Near Deal Memorial Bandstand
Circo Rum Ba Ba’s The Whale
Bold explorers squeeze into the belly of an enormous inflatable Sperm Whale where they find themselves in the depths of the bubbling, kelp-swirling ocean.
9 July
10:30 am
Meet at Deal Pier entrance
Deal’s Historic Walking tour
Join local expert George Chittenden for an illuminating and entertaining walk taking in Deal’s colourful history.
9 July
1:00 pm
St Mary's Church
Chineke!
Through world-class concert performances, Chineke! creates opportunities for established and up-and-coming Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians.
10 July
10:00 am
Meet at Deal Pier entrance
Plastic
Join Helen, Lizzie, and members of ‘Deal With It’ for a beach clean and then a workshop, informal performance and a round-table discussion.
11 July
9:30 am
The Cleary Hall, Landmark Centre
Moo Music for Early Years
Two fun, interactive music sessions for babies, toddlers and pre-school aged children (0-5) with their parents, grandparents or carers.
12 July
10:30 am
Meet at Deal Pier entrance
Deal’s Historic Walking tour
Join local expert George Chittenden for an illuminating and entertaining walk taking in Deal’s colourful history.
13 July
10:30 am
St George’s Church Hall
A Walk in the Woods
Emily Varney leads an informal interactive concert, for young people and their families.
14 July
12:00 pm
The Astor Theatre
Young Musicians’ Showcase Concert
Young musicians from our learning projects and bursaries perform a range of pieces of their choice showcasing their talent and commitment to music.
14 July
4:00 pm
The Astor Theatre
Kuljit Bhamra & Kadialy Kouyate Workshop
Following his popular workshop in last year’s festival, tabla maestro Kuljit Bhamra returns again, this year with Senegalese kora player Kadialy Kouyate.
Classical
5 July
1:00 pm
The Astor Theatre
Gabrielė Sutkutė
A delightful lunchtime concert by this outstanding young Lithuanian pianist, winner of the 1st prize at the Chappell Medal Piano Competition in 2023.
6 July
1:00 pm
The Cleary Hall, Landmark Centre
Richard Mackenzie
Richard MacKenzie is hailed as “one of the rising stars of the British lute scene” by Early Music Today.
7 July
12:00 pm
The Astor Theatre
Tom Service – Listening in Paris
Journalist and presenter Tom Service, takes up the themes of James H Johnson’s book.
7 July
4:30 pm
The Astor Theatre
Jane Glover – Mozart in Italy
In a new biography, the distinguished conductor and writer Jane Glover travels with Mozart on his three journeys to Italy.
8 July
11:00 am
St Andrew's Church
Free Trois Dames Très Spéciales
Bridget Tizzard (soprano), Floriane Peycelon (violin), Keren Starer-Shaw (cello) and John Harper (piano) perform beautiful trios.
8 July
1:00 pm
Deal Town Hall
Toward the Sea
Lizzie Knatt Recorders (DMA Young Artist in Association) and Declan Hickey Guitar give a concert inspired by the sea.
8 July
7:30 pm
The Astor Theatre
The Fidelio Trio
The “virtuosic Fidelio Trio” (Sunday Times) consists of Darragh Morgan, violin, Tim Gill, cello and Mary Dullea, piano.
9 July
1:00 pm
St Clement's Church
Ryan Corbett – Accordion
Described as one of Scotland's most exciting musicians, Ryan performs arrangements of works by Bach, Rameau, Mendelssohn and others.
9 July
1:00 pm
St Mary's Church
Chineke!
Through world-class concert performances, Chineke! creates opportunities for established and up-and-coming Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians.
9 July
3:00 pm
10 July
10:00 am
Meet at Deal Pier entrance
Plastic
Join Helen, Lizzie, and members of ‘Deal With It’ for a beach clean and then a workshop, informal performance and a round-table discussion.
10 July
1:45 pm
St Andrew's Church
Salomé Quartet
The Salomé Quartet are quickly establishing a reputation as one of UK’s most exciting young string quartets.
10 July
7:30 pm
The Astor Theatre
Lucy Crowe & Anna Tilbrook
Don’t miss the chance to see radiant soprano Lucy Crowe, the new President of Deal Music and Arts, in a brilliant programme covering composers from Handel to Cole Porter.
10 July
9:30 pm
Deal Town Hall
French Connections 1 – Storytellers
Bring your summer’s evening to a close with music from four outstanding international artists.
11 July
11:00 am
St John the Evangelist Church
French Connections 2 – Sacred Grief
For the second concert in their series, our visiting artists share a programme designed around St John’s wonderful 2018 organ.
11 July
1:00 pm
Deal Town Hall
Jack Hancher
A rising star of the classical guitar, Jack’s programme features Satie, Debussy, Ravel and a piece by our Composer-in-Residence Florence Anna Maunders.
11 July
2:30 pm
The Astor Theatre
French Connections 3 – Love Cabaret
A lively cabaret of songs featuring Kurt Weill, Poulenc, Sondheim, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin.
11 July
7:30 pm
St Mary's Arts Centre, Sandwich
Mozart’s The Magic Flute
Critically acclaimed opera company Wild Arts perform their third summer season.
12 July
10:30 am
Deal Town Hall
French Connections 4 – Elégie
A beguiling concert of late romantic and contemporary works by Fauré, Schubert, Satie and Artistic Director Luke Styles.
12 July
1:00 pm
Deal Town Hall
Junyan Chen
Following her acclaimed Wigmore Hall début last year, Chinese pianist Junyan Chen gives a performance including works by Schubert, Liszt and Composer-in-Residence Florence Anna Maunders.
13 July
10:30 am
St George’s Church Hall
A Walk in the Woods
Emily Varney leads an informal interactive concert, for young people and their families.
13 July
11:00 am
St Clement's Church
Times and Seasons: Bach and the Organ
In this concert by one of Kent’s leading organists Paul Stubbings, the incomparable atmosphere of St Clement’s provides the backdrop for some of Bach's sublime music.
13 July
1:00 pm
St George's Church
Brandenburg Concertos 1, 2, and 3
Brandenburg Concertos 1, 2, and 3. This critically acclaimed British chamber music ensemble perform the first set of Bach’s well-loved concertos.
13 July
7:30 pm
St George's Church
Brandenburg Concertos 4, 5, and 6
Hosted by BBC 3 journalist Tom Service, Chamber Domaine complete their performance of Bach’s famous six concerto cycle.
14 July
2:00 pm
Free
Betteshanger Colliery Welfare Band & The Deal and Walmer Handelian Choral Society
Two leading local music groups come together to perform a lively programme including brass band music and popular choruses.
14 July
4:00 pm
The Astor Theatre
Kuljit Bhamra & Kadialy Kouyate Workshop
Following his popular workshop in last year’s festival, tabla maestro Kuljit Bhamra returns again, this year with Senegalese kora player Kadialy Kouyate.
14 July
7:30 pm
Kuljit Bhamra & Kadialy Kouyate Performance
A celebratory duo performance of Senegalese and Indian music. Kuljit, the UK’s leading proponent of classical and popular forms of Indian music is joined by Kadialy, a celebrated performer of West African music.
Bands
4 July
7:30 pm
St George's Church
White Cliffs Symphonic Winds
Deal’s local maestro, Graham Harvey, returns to lead his band in a concert of film and gaming music.
5 July
8:00 pm
St George's Church
Smugglers Stage Baque Luar and Gamelan Lila Cita
In collaboration with the popular East Kent-based Smugglers Festival, here are performances from two exciting world music groups: a celebration of union through music.
6 July
7:00 pm
St George's Church
National Youth Jazz Orchestra Latin Collective
Back by popular demand, some of the most talented young jazz musicians in the UK will bring their 14-piece collective to perform a high-tempo Latin-infused programme.
6 July
8:30 pm
The Astor Theatre
Smugglers Stage Drinkpen: Everywhen and Phil Self’s Dau
In our second collaboration with Smugglers Festival, we present two unique band - Joe Inkpen and Kent-based musician Phil Self.
7 July
2:30 pm
St Andrew's Church
Chaps Choir
Say goodbye to the male voice choir most would recognise and hello to Chaps Choir.
7 July
7:30 pm
The Astor Theatre
Jeremy Sassoon’s MOJO
A foot-stomping, barn-storming celebration of some of the most iconic and best-loved musicians of Jewish origin.
9 July
6:00 pm
Walmer Castle Pub
Free Afterwork Tunes
Enjoy music from local musicians with an early evening drink.
10 July
6:00 pm
Walmer Castle Pub
Free Afterwork Tunes
Enjoy music from local musicians with an early evening drink.
11 July
8:00 pm
The Lighthouse Pub
Sultan Stevenson Trio
Sultan Stevenson is one of London’s most exciting young jazz musicians. In 2020 he emerged onto the jazz scene with a new artistic voice.
12 July
2:30 pm
The Astor Theatre
Irene Taylor Trust and DMA Community Band
The performance showcases pieces by Making Tracks (young people from the Prince’s Trust) and Sounding Out (former prisoners).
14 July
2:00 pm
Betteshanger Sports and Social Club
Free Betteshanger Colliery Welfare Band & The Deal and Walmer Handelian Choral Society
Two leading local music groups come together to perform a lively programme including brass band music and popular choruses.
14 July
4:00 pm
The Astor Theatre
Kuljit Bhamra & Kadialy Kouyate Workshop
Following his popular workshop in last year’s festival, tabla maestro Kuljit Bhamra returns again, this year with Senegalese kora player Kadialy Kouyate.
14 July
7:30 pm
The Astor Theatre
Kuljit Bhamra & Kadialy Kouyate Performance
A celebratory duo performance of Senegalese and Indian music. Kuljit, the UK’s leading proponent of classical and popular forms of Indian music is joined by Kadialy, a celebrated performer of West African music.