Tickets are released today (Thursday) for a second wave of Alton Arts Festival events.

Arts lovers will now be able to purchase tickets for a range of comedy and music gigs, art workshops, literary discussions, and theatre shows.

“It has been a Herculean effort by our programme leads to bring this eclectic range of events to the festival,” said chair Annie Lancaster.

“Having seen how quickly tickets were snapped up for the first wave, we’re urging people to act fast – some of our venues are very intimate and the workshops in particular are designed for small groups, so they may sell out quickly.”

The stone-sculpting workshop with David Wilkins sold out within the first two days of going on sale last month, and AAF has issued low-ticket warnings on a number of music events.

“But fear not – this second wave is much bigger than the first, so we hope there’s something to catch everyone’s interest,” added Annie.

Events going on sale today include Carmody, recently crowned “South London’s electronic soul queen” and known for her hit Paradise, which featured in the popular Netflix series Heartstopper.

Also in the music programme is a special performance by Grammy-award nominated Richard Walters – his only solo show for 2024 – which will feature songs written specially for and about Alton.

Chris Riddell will be live illustrating to a specially composed Alton-centric acoustic set by Richard Walters at Alton Arts Festival this July
Chris Riddell will be live illustrating to a specially composed Alton-centric acoustic set by Richard Walters at Alton Arts Festival this July (AAF)

Richard will be joined by renowned author and illustrator, and former Waterstones children’s laureate, Chris Riddell, who will be live-illustrating Richard’s music in a unique and collaborative performance.

From the literature programme, highlights include the ‘Writers on Writers’ panel, where crime authors BA Paris, Sophie Hannah and Simon Toyne will discuss what it takes to plot multiple murders, and the ‘Historical Fiction’ panel, during which four authors will share their thoughts on the importance of place in historical novels in the evocative setting of St Nicholas’ Church, Chawton.

For those keen to explore new skills in visual arts, there are more workshops coming your way, including life drawing, the use of pastels, watercolour painting, how to draw a bird with artist Paul Harfleet, how to make a contemporary textile wall hanging with Hilary Kimber, and an artistic exploration of nature with Tozzy Bridger.

Sophie Hannah will share her experiences standing in the shoes of Agatha Christie and writing Hercule Poirot at Alton Arts Festival this July
Sophie Hannah will share her experiences standing in the shoes of Agatha Christie and writing Hercule Poirot at Alton Arts Festival this July (AAF)

Information about the events can be found at www.altonartsfestival.com/acts and tickets are on sale at https://www.wegottickets.com/AltonArtsFestival/

On February 23, more than 100 people gathered at the Alton Assembly Rooms to put their arts knowledge and enthusiasm to the test at a second AAF fundraising quiz.

“The turnout was phenomenal and we’re so grateful to everyone who came out,” said Annie. “We raised just over £1,300 through ticket sales and the raffle. Thank you also to the local businesses that donated prizes, including Goldfinch Books, Meon Valley Studio and Natural Balance.”

Two upcoming fundraising events are also aiming to help fill the AAF coffers: a Taylor Swift-themed day and evening event at Goldfinch Books on March 16 and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater classical concert at St Lawrence Church on March 23.

Tickets for the Taylor Takeover are available via www.goldfinch-books.com and for the classical music concert from https://www.wegottickets.com/AltonArtsFestival