I have already mentioned the Cambridge Film Festival which is now underway - see this (brief) post.
Three other major arts happenings are taking place.
First, Cambridge Open Studios 2005, where around 300 artists in all materials open their studios (often their own homes) to the public on the first four weekends of July. This is the 31st Open Studios since the original one in 1974 when a group of six artists launched the scheme. This year there are 190 venues to visit all over Cambridge and its surrounding villages. See them in their actual working environment and there are plenty of works for sale. Excellent for finding unusual and unique presents - yes, why not think ahead and buy now for Christmas? The web site (linked above) has maps shopwing the location of all the venues and lists of their opening days - note that many studios do not open on all four weekends. Look out for the yellow Open Studios logo flags (logo pictured above) outside venues. An excellent free comprehensive printed guide can be found in public libraries, tourist information centres, galleries, Kettle’s Yard Museum (Castle Street, Cambridge, CB3 0AQ) and some shops. Or, you can send a stamped addressed envelope to 12a High Street, Fulbourn, Cambridge, CB1 5DH. The envelope must be A4 size, with 79p (1st) or 58p (2nd) postage.
Next up is the Cambridge Summer Music Festival which runs from Friday 15 July to Saturday 13 August. It comprises a collection of classical music concerts being held in concert halls, colleges, schools and churches in Cambridge. In its 26th year, the Summer Music Festival’s theme is Early Music. Amongst the highlights are three concerts to complement the Fitzwilliam Museum’s Cambridge Illuminations exhibition and an evening with composer Sir John Tavener at the piano (including ‘aspects of’ a new composition) - his music seems to hark back to much earlier times. New for 2005 is Music for Kids - a series of concerts and workshops which children of all ages will enjoy. And a Festive Fireworks Finale will find picnics, fireworks and music under the stars for our first ever outdoor concert.
Another long-running Cambridge tradition is the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival. This year (its seventeenth), eight of Shakespeare’s works are being performed at six historic Cambridge colleges - most of them outdoors in the wonderful settings of the college gardens. Prior to the performances, members of the audience can picnic in these idyllic settings. There will be at least one play performed Monday-Saturday evenings at 19.30 during the eight weeks of the Festival. The plays being performed are: Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like it, The Tempest, Macbeth, The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet, and Measure for Measure.