Great Yarmouth's annual arts festival gets underway on Friday bringing ten days of events across multiple venues on both sides of the river.

Eastern Daily Press: Dr Kathryn Ferry, author of a new book about the holiday camp operator Sir Billy Butlin, will be at Gorleston Library Lecture Theatre on Thursday June 8 at 2pm to talk about his pioneering work and the history of the British seaside. Photo: Great Yarmouth Arts FestivalDr Kathryn Ferry, author of a new book about the holiday camp operator Sir Billy Butlin, will be at Gorleston Library Lecture Theatre on Thursday June 8 at 2pm to talk about his pioneering work and the history of the British seaside. Photo: Great Yarmouth Arts Festival (Image: Great Yarmouth Arts Festival)

Here is a taste of what is on offer, much of it with a French flavour thanks to the first-time involvement of Yarmouth's twin town Rambouillet:

Music

There will be two concerts in the Minster including one by Orchestrate on Saturday June 3, 7.30pm, playing a selection of British and French music building to a last night of the proms finale.

Eastern Daily Press: Christian singer and entertainer Jonathan Veira returns by public demand to Gorleston Pavilion on Friday June 9, as part of Great Yarmouth's arts festival. Photo: Great Yarmouth Arts FestivalChristian singer and entertainer Jonathan Veira returns by public demand to Gorleston Pavilion on Friday June 9, as part of Great Yarmouth's arts festival. Photo: Great Yarmouth Arts Festival (Image: Great Yarmouth Arts Festival)

The other is by the Mozart Orchestra on Saturday June 10, 7.30pm.

Fans of John Denver and his classic hits such as Annie's Song and Leaving on a Jet Plane can head to St George's Theatre for a Celebration of John Denver on Sunday June 4, 2.30pm.

Also traditional brass is on offer for free thanks to the Marlow Town Band who will be playing at Gorleston bandstand (or in the Pavilion if wet) on Sunday June 11, 2pm.

There will also be three recitals at the Minster and one in St Georges.

Eastern Daily Press: Eloise Shepherd is among final year students from Ballet Central who will be performing excerpts from ballets at St George's Theatre as part of Yarmouth's arts festival. Photo: Bill CooperEloise Shepherd is among final year students from Ballet Central who will be performing excerpts from ballets at St George's Theatre as part of Yarmouth's arts festival. Photo: Bill Cooper (Image: Bill Cooper)

Ballet

Final year students from Ballet Central will perform excerpts from a number of ballets at St George's Theatre on Friday June 2, 7.30pm.

Then on Wednesday June 7 at 7pm there will be screening direct from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden with a mixed programme of works celebrating the company's 70 years at the venue.

Visual Arts

Great Yarmouth Market Place will become a pop-up gallery for a vibrant display of arts and crafts by local and French artists for sale on Saturday June 3, 10-4pm.

Potter and maritme artist Ernie Childs will once again be joined by his student friends as he displays his work at Great Yarmouth Library from Monday June 5 to Saturday June 17, 9-4.30pm.

And there will be a free fashion show by Rambouillet students in the Assembly Room at the town hall on Friday June 2, 2pm, covering social themes such as tolerance, addiction, respect, peace, and love.

Community

The carnival parade is always a highlight of the festival involving hundreds of local people and spectacular costumes and models.

This year it starts at 11am on Saturday June 3 at the seafront Marina Centre before making its way along Regent Road and King Street to St George's Theatre.

At the same time 11-3pm the town's library will become the focus of a community fair with fun activities, crafts and cakes.

Some 60 groups are attending and there is a treasure trail.

Anyone who wants to have a go at creating art themselves can take part in The Big Draw on Saturday June 10 at St George's Theatre and the Market Place, 10-3.30pm, with materials, instruction and expert advice available for free.

Heritage

There will three heritage walks and an author talk by Dr Kathryn Ferry.

Her new book about the holiday camp operator Sir Billy Butlin will be the focus of a talk at Gorleston Library Lecture Theatre on Thursday at 2pm.

It is also billed as a chance for people to share their memories of staying in the camps.

Theatre

HandleBards bring their all female bicycle-powered version of Shakespeare's As You Like It to St George's Theatre on Monday June 5 at 7.30pm. We are told to expect 'riotous amounts of energy, a fair old whack of chaos, and a great deal of laughter.'

And keeping with the laughter theme is American comedian Scott Capurro. The Perrier Award winning headliner will be among acts taking to the stage for a stand up show on Friday June 9 at 8.30pm.

Meanwhile having filled Gorleston's Pavilion three years ago Christian singer and entertainer Jonathan Veira delivers his one man show on Friday June 9, 7.30pm.

'We have something to suit all tastes and all ages,' said chairman and founder Hugh Sturzaker who is pleased that for the first time artists and performers from Yarmouth's twin town of Rambouillet will be taking part.

A large contingent, including their samba band, will join in with the carnival parade on Saturday and take part in concerts and exhibitions.

For full listings and to book visit the festival website.