Music: Grimethorpe Colliery Band
22 June
The Hawth Crawley
Formed in 1917 during the First World War, Grimethorpe Colliery Band is a British institution. National and British Open Champions on numerous occasions, the band’s contest successes remain legendary. Diverse noted concert performances include those at the FIFA World Cup, BAFTA Awards, BBC Proms, Eurovision, and London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. In addition to continuing to delight audiences across the globe, Grimethorpe also continues to invest in and support its local community in Grimethorpe, Barnsley, and South Yorkshire, particularly through its youth music initiatives and community performances.
Opera: The Merry Widow
9 June
Glyndebourne
Franz Lehár’s laugh-out-loud operetta The Merry Widow is a work of pure theatrical pleasure, a cocktail of ravishing music, romance, and madcap comedy. Glyndebourne’s lavish new staging by award-winning West End director Cal McCrystal promises all the luxury of classic Hollywood, with designs by Gary McCann and choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, Olivier-nominated for her work on Six. Top international soprano Danielle de Niese stars in the title role.
Event: BOAT
Throughout June
Dyke Road Park
This year marks the tenth season at Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT) since it opened in the summer of 2015. Founded following the tragic early passing of local playwright Adrian Bunting, BOAT has grown in range and ambition to become one of the UK’s premiere outdoor theatres. June events: The Duke’s Theatre Company once again kicks off their UK tour at BOAT with As You Like It before the 5th annual Summer Comedy Festival from Funny That Comedy. Hosted by local comedy legend Stephen Grant, performers this year include A-listers Sara Pascoe, Suzi Ruffell, Zoe Lyons, Marcus Brigstocke, Gary Delaney, and Romesh Ranganathan.
Event: Between The Covers
7 June
Brighton Theatre Royal
For the first time, Between The Covers, the nation’s favorite TV book club, is taking to the road with a live version of the hugely successful BBC Two series that brings books to life. The live show will feature three of the best-loved stars from Between The Covers: Kacey Ainsworth, Jo Brand, and Stephen Mangan, who will form the fantasy book group alongside the bestselling author of Star of the Sea, Joseph O’Connor, who will tell all about his books and writing habits. The tour will be hosted by Amanda Ross, TV’s ‘Queen of Books’.
Event: South of England Show
7-9 June
South of England Showground
The South of England Show is returning for its 56th year. Organized by the South of England Agricultural Society, the beloved annual event invites visitors to immerse themselves in the charm and excitement of countryside rural industries and pursuits. The show promises diverse attractions, including agricultural and equestrian displays, live entertainment, rural crafts, horticulture, and abundant food, drink, and shopping experiences for all ages.
Music: Three Friday Nights
7, 14, 21 June
Goodwood
Singer-songwriter and DJ Craig David, best known for smash hit singles Re-Rewind, Fill Me In, and 7 Days, will present TS5 at Three Friday Nights at Goodwood Racecourse – a series of unforgettable events combining horse racing, music, and dancing throughout June 2024. The Grammy Award-winning music artist will perform to a dazzling crowd in the laser-lit Goodwood Parade on Friday, 7 June. Following Craig David, DJ Gok Wan – now a firm favorite behind the decks – will perform on Friday, 14 June. The series will close on Friday, 21 June, with DJ and producer Dimitri from Paris.
Event: Meadowland
From 14 June
Wakehurst
Forming the most ambitious summer program to date for RBG Kew’s wild botanic garden, Meadowland at Wakehurst from 14 June presents a series of bespoke art installations specially commissioned for the 535-acre site to give voice to one of Britain’s most critically threatened habitats – the meadow. For 13 weeks, Meadowland forms both a celebration of the diverse wildflowers, grasses, and wildlife that form these precious ecosystems and a rallying cry to unite people in protecting the rare habitat for future generations.
Wakehurst is home to a range of beautiful, biodiverse meadows – from the ancient Hanging Meadow in the Loder Valley Nature Reserve to Coronation Meadow, created in 2015 as a response to the then Prince of Wales’ call for new wildflower meadows marking 60 years of the late Queen’s reign. Across the country, it is today estimated that only 1% of species-rich meadows survive in active management and continue to be lost at an alarming rate. The scale and speed of this decline represent a conservation catastrophe. Responding to this critical state, Wakehurst has developed Meadowland to champion this threatened habitat in its time of great need.
Working in collaboration with leading artists on four new installations, Wakehurst hopes to connect visitors with the grasslands that serve an important role in the environment and society. Nestled across the landscapes, the bespoke commissions will draw explorers down new paths through Wakehurst’s vibrant meadows, teeming with life – inviting them to follow the shifting landscapes as they bloom and fade across the season. Drawing inspiration from swishing grasses, buzzing pollinators, bursts of color, and hidden voices, the artworks span many creative mediums, from audio and film to sculpture and textiles. For the first time in a summer program, Wakehurst’s horticulturalists will explore their creative side as the meadows become a canvas for important stories, illustrating the symbiotic relationship between humans and grassland.
