IAN CLARKE Dereham Festival is making a return after a 20-year gap with a “something for everyone” promise from the organisers.

IAN CLARKE

Dereham Festival is making a return after a 20-year gap with a “something for everyone” promise from the organisers.

An eight-day programme of a range of arts and music events has been lined up around the town and kicks off on Saturday May 13..

There is a mix of free and paid-for events and they vary from classical and brass to a rock night and Gig on the Meadow aimed at teenagers.

As well as the main programme, there are several fringe attractions including art and photo exhibitions and open gardens.

Highlights for the first week include a concert with the Mid-Norfolk Singers (Saturday May 13, St Nicholas' Church, 7.30pm, £7.50/£6.50); Festival Rock with popular local combos Worlds Apart and the Barking Spiders (Sunday May 14, Memorial Hall, 8pm, £5); Family Festival Day at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse (Sunday, 10am-5pm, free); The Harper Ensemble (Tuesday May 16, Memorial Hall, 7.30pm, £6-£4); Classics for Pleasure (Wednesday May 17, Trinity Methodist Church, 7.30pm, £3); A Night at the Theatre with Dereham Operatic Society and Youth Theatre Company (Thursday May 18, Memorial Hall, 7.30pm, £7-£5.50); Gala concert with the Dexterity Trio (Friday May 19, Assembly Rooms, 6.30pm for 7pm, £15); and Strictly Ballroom with the Pavilion Big Band (Friday May 19, Memorial Hall, 8pm, £5).The festival box office is at Dereham Library and tickets for events can be bought between 10am and 4pm, or 07884 054800 or 01362 692247.

Programmes giving full details have been delivered to homes in the Dereham area. The whole list of events and more information is available on www.derehamfestival.org.uk or check out the gigs, events and concerts items in our listings search.