Emily Dennis Acclaimed artists from the music and literary scene will descend on the south Norfolk town of Harleston later this month.

Emily Dennis

Acclaimed artists from the music and literary scene will descend on the south Norfolk town of Harleston later this month.

The annual Harleston and Waveney Arts Festival is boasting its most impressive line-up in its seven-year history, including concerts, literary discussions, street theatre, work-shops, a musical supper, a weekend of live music and family fun day.

Top of the bill is the well-known trio Fascinating Aida, hot from a run in the West End and the Edinburgh Festival, who will be coming to the festival on Tuesday, August 19.

Also planned is a retrospective of the life and work of Roger Deakin at Wingfield College yard on Thursday, August 21.

Author Mark Cocker, whose book Crow Country chronicles his fascination with the birdlife of East Anglia, will give a lunchtime talk at King George's Hall on Saturday, August 23.

There will be a lunchtime concert on Wednesday, August 20, by young duo Westcott and Rodway and the festival will culminate with a music weekend and beer festival at the Swan Hotel, kicking off on August 22 with an open mic night.

Then on Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24, the music kicks off at midday and continues into the night with a range of local bands.

The Blind Lemon Soul Band will close the event on Saturday night with well-known covers to get the crowd dancing, and on Sunday the music will continue all day, starting with jazz at lunchtime and popular local band Huck bringing the music weekend to a close in the evening.

The fun continues on bank holiday Monday with a free family fun day on the recreation ground where there will be vintage cars and tractors, a marching band, stalls, barbeque and an old-fashioned funfair and a visit from a hot air balloon.

Other free events in the town include an African drumming workshop on Saturday, August 23, for children aged 7 to 12 years old which must be pre-booked with Harleston Bookshop on 01379 855111.

Festival patron and author Terence Blacker said: "This year's festival promises to be better than ever. There is something to appeal to everyone and we hope we will attract visitors from across the county."

Tickets for Fascinating Aida, Westcott and Rodway, An Evening of Roger Deakin and Going Wild with Mark Cocker can be bought in advance from Harleston Bookshop.

For more information, visit www.harlestonandwaveneyfestival. co.uk