Newbury’s free, open-air Summer Series of Events is to be welcomed with open arms this weekend
as the first event takes its town centre stage.
The first of the Series, titled DJ Jams, kicks-off this Sunday 25th July at 12 noon and will be a musical
sensation for all to enjoy until 5pm. Local residents and visitors from further afield are expected to
come together in the name of good music and tasty food in the heart of Newbury’s Market Place.
The entertainment will add to the vibrant atmosphere in Newbury town centre on Sunday, with Newbury’s Artisan Market also in town from 10am until 4pm along Northbrook Street.
DJ and radio presenter, DJ Franco Valentino, opens the music series combining sets from 70’s, 80’s
and 90’s reggae roots and his music will take you more to the Caribbean than the Kennet & Avon
Canal. DJ Franco Valentino boasts an impressive list of previous DJ residencies, including Notting Hill
Carnival, Jazz Café and Heaven- both top music venues in London. Valentino has also attended the
hugely successful international arts festival, WOMAD, which celebrates the many forms of worldwide
music, art, and dance.
DJ Franco could be hard to follow, however, the next and second act of the day, Back For Good DJs,
have had their fair share of success, too. Having also performed at Notting Hill Carnival, the DJ crew
have entertained crowds at some of the UK’s most popular festivals, including Bestival, Big Feastival
and Common People, to name but a few. Back For Good DJs have a self-proclaimed love for Old Skool and NuRhytms music alongside decade-old anthems that they can’t wait to share with Newbury.
We also promise more excitement to follow for the town in the aftermath of the DJ Jams. The first of their Family Fun Days takes place on Wednesday 28th July, with Jollypop Entertainment’s Alice and Mad Hatter starring the show. The popular storybook characters are set to perform a series of musical shows (sing-along at your own desire!), alongside personal meet and greets and story time reading for children. The characters will also parade to three key venues; Market Place, Kennet Shopping and Parkway Shopping, to perform on a rotating basis throughout the course of the day. For more information on where you
can find Alice and Mad Hatter on the day, click here.
In addition, local pottery painting coffee shop, The Ugly Duckling, will be providing free activities
throughout the day for both parent and child to enjoy. Furthermore, creative arts venue, the Corn
Exchange, asks you to join them for some summer holiday craft between 10.30am – 12 noon and
1.00pm – 4.00pm.
Kate Izzard, Director of Jollypop Entertainment, expresses her excitement for Newbury’s Family Fun
Days:
We’ve been waiting for an opportunity to share our delightful children’s characters with the world once again and could not be happier than to do so as part of Newbury’s Family Fun Days.
Alice and Mad Hatter are busy adding the final touches to their musical extravaganza and we’re counting down the days until we can share this with you!
Emma, Owner and Founder of The Ugly Duckling, is equally looking forward to the event:
I’m thrilled to be able to offer inclusive pottery painting and crafts for all in Newbury town centre as part of Visit Newbury’s Family Fun Days. This is just what the town needs after a year of restrictions, and I’m incredibly happy to contribute by playing my part in bringing Newbury back to life this summer!
Dates for your diary:
Summer Series of Events: 12 noon – 5pm Sunday 25th July, 1pm – 5pm Sunday 1st August, 12 noon – 5pm Sunday 15th August, 12 noon – 8pm Sunday 29th August.
Family Fun Days, 10am – 5pm: Wednesday 28th July, Wednesday 11th August, and Tuesday 24th August.
Check out our Summer Series of Events on our Facebook here.
