Arundel & South Downs MP, Andrew Griffith, officially opened the 2021 Arundel Festival of the Arts together with Mayor Tony Hunt and Arundel Town Council on Friday 20th August.
During the opening ceremony event, crowds that had gathered in the High Street were treated to a show-song medley of hits from musicals throughout the decades sung by The Enchanted Choir, conducted by Emily Barden and a performance by opera singer Issy Bradley. Town Mayor Tony Hunt and Festival Chair Sharon Blaikie addressed the audience expressing thanks to all those involved in putting on the event. The festival flag was raised by then raised jointly by Sharon Blaikie and Mr Griffith.
The Festival is a ten-day event running until the end of August and includes a number of showstopping events such as a Big Top evening of burlesque, performances by the Sleepy Lagoon Orchestra and shows narrating the story of Duke Ellington and his music, accompanied by a 7 piece band. The Festival’s programme has been moderately scaled down the cater primarily for residents of Arundel Town while also safely accommodating visitors and tourists from across the South East.
Andrew Griffith MP said:
“It was a huge privilege to help open the Arundel Festival of the Arts. It is events like this that bring our community together, showcasing the best of what it has to offer. To hear the High Street of Arundel echoing with song and applause was a fabulous reminder of the journey the town has taken over the last, very difficult, 18 months.
The Festival’s committee has overcome significant challenges over this last year to put on this 10-day event and I would like to express my thanks to everyone involved in its organisation. We owe it to ourselves to buy tickets and participate in this Festival to make 2021 a summer to remember.
