A hand-picked guide to what's on in Herefordshire in April and May 2023, mixing creative events, cultural activities and hidden gems.
Curator's Picks
ICYMI here's another chance to see Todd Field's 2022 film Tàr, starring Cate Blanchett, which was nominated for 6 Academy Awards including Best Picture. It's on at The Loft, Hereford's indie cinema screen which boasts a brilliantly diverse programme.
Tàr is showing at 7pm on April 21st. Doors open at 6pm and there's hot food and drinks available on site.
The annual Chillifest - celebrating and selling all things chilli-related (get your hot sauce here) - returns to Eastnor Castle near Ledbury on April 30th to May 1st. Expect music, bars, food stalls and a chilli eating competition.
Back again, the May Fair takes over Hereford city centre from May 2nd to May 4th, complete with rides, side-shows, food stalls and ancient ceremonies. It's been going for more than 900 years.
This much loved classical music festival takes place every spring in and around Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, near Ledbury.
"The event’s aims are threefold: to create opportunities for world-class musicians to collaborate outside the concert circuit and explore new ideas; to provide a platform for talented music students from all over the country to learn from leading experts; and to bring great music to this corner of England, inspiring local audiences, both children and adults, to a greater understanding and appreciation of all music."
Celebrating 10 years, this year's line up includings special dinners and performances from Trio D’Or with Máté Szücs and pub concerts. See the full programme here.
David Harewood (Homeland) and Zachary Quinto (Star Trek) play feuding political rivals in James Graham’s (Sherwood) multiple award-winning and critically acclaimed new drama, directed by Jeremy Herrin (All My Sons).
See it locally, part of National Theatre Live programme, at The Conquest Theatre in Bromyard on May 18th 2023. Book here, or see the full NT Live schedule on their official site.
London Concertante - the chamber ensemble founded in 1991 by a group of music college graduates - come to Hereford Cathedral on May 26th 2023 and they'll be playing two of the best known classical pieces of music... Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & The Lark Ascending.
Tickets from £19.
This inclusive and family-friendly fundraising games convention - with 100% of proceeds to Herefordshire Mind - takes place at The Core skate centre in Hereford on May 12th to 14th.
There'll be begineer and family friendly with open gaming, RPG, games library, giant games, traders and events. The annual event is free to enter and is organised by Herefordshire Board Gamers group.
Formed in the summer of 2018 and based on the South Shropshire/Mid Wales border, Choked play original, alternative punk rock, with a touch of psych-funk. The band released their debut ep 'Blood Sport' in Feb 2020, followed by their self-titled album 'Choked' in Jan 2023.
They'll be live at Hereford's Barbar Cafe - the place for original live music and alternative nights out - on May 19th.
Imagine having a few to drink and staggering arm in arm into the darkness of an eastern European cobbled street and stumbling into a bar where Django Reinhardt and Tom Waits are having an after-hours jam with the local Tziganes...
That's the set up for Moscow Drug Club's upcoming show at Ledbury's Market Theatre! A night of live music and comedy from a band that mixes Berlin Cabaret, Latin Tinge, French musette and storytelling.
Bromyard History Society has invited actor Hugh Farey to give his talk "Inventing History" - which recounts Shakespeare's version of live in the 15th Century - at The Conquest Theatre on May 17th
"From Richard II to Richard III, Shakespeare's history plays present far more his personal interpretation of the History of England than any chronological account. Using extracts from the plays, 'Boz' will explore Shakespeare's version of characters and events, and touch on the question, what is History anyway?"
Free for Society members, £5 for non-members. 7.30pm start.
