The Jersey Eisteddfod Festival of Performing Arts, sponsored by Butterfield, is held this month, starting with the Music Section running from 13 to 20 November and English Speech and Drama following from the 21 to 26 November.
With the Jersey Opera House still closed for refurbishment, the Music Section will once again welcome audiences to three special venues – St Helier Town Church, Chateau Vermont, and the Jersey Arts Centre.
On Saturday 19 November, the Deaf Signing Classes will celebrate 10 years of Performance in the Jersey Music Eisteddfod, the only festival in the British Isles to offer performance assessments, thanks to the dedication and support of our local deaf community and their charities. Dr Paul Whittaker OBE, a dynamic campaigner for the deaf community, an astute adjudicator and a consummate entertainment in his own right is returning to judge the entries in this year’s Festival.
Groups from Jersey, Hull, Halifax, Huddersfield, Poole, and Gillingham are busy practising their dance moves. It will be a wild and noisy evening!
English Speech and Drama takes over on Monday 21 November at the Jersey Arts Centre, with classes for solo as well as group entries.
Sue De Gruchy, Chair of the Music Section said: “The Jersey Eisteddfod is the only Performing Arts Festival that is for everyone. We want to encourage entries from anyone who likes to test their talents and skills against others, and who believe that a friendly, competitive atmosphere creates enjoyment and attainment of high standards of performance. It’s open to seasoned performers as well as those who have never entered before, so it is truly inclusive and diverse.
“The Festival is about gaining confidence through public performance and has much more to do with taking part than with winning.”
Noel McLaughlin, Managing Director of Butterfield in Jersey, said: “The Eisteddfod has long been a mainstay in the Jersey arts calendar and is a wonderful opportunity for the local community to come together to share their love of performing arts. At Butterfield we value our community, and are pleased to play our part in staging such a popular event.”
For more information about the Jersey Eisteddfod and the Festival of Performing Arts visit the website.
