Every Sunday in August we will be bringing live music and poetry to the Italian Gardens. Pack a picnic and join us for an afternoon of free performances from some brilliant local artists.

This week we welcome:

Professor Cooper: 12pm 

Alan Cooper has been playing Ukulele for 4 years and playing harmonica for over 20 years usually at local pubs and garden parties. He will be Playing covers on Ukulele of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, etc. and also some blues harmonica.

Annie and King: 1:30pm 

Annie and King: 3pm

Annie & King are an acoustic duo from Scarborough who love playing live music! If you have seen them perform in the gardens before then you know they are not to be missed, if it’s your first time then your in for a real treat.

Music will be interspersed with poetry read by local performers Suzie Millar and Felix Hodcroft at 1pm and 2:30pm and a special guest slot from Nottingham poet Dave Wood in the Italian Gardens large shelter at 3:45pm. 

A fresh face in the world of poetry performance, Suzie Millar discovered her passion for the art during pandemic zoom sessions. Typically, her poetry packs a powerful emotional punch with her soft Northern Irish accent lending an extra flavour to her performances of her own and others’ poems. Now a confirmed coastal dweller, the local seascapes exert a strong pull on her and they are a regular character in her poetry.

Felix Hodcroft is a poet and performer, editor, teacher and events-organiser. He has published two collections, ‘Life after Life after Death’ and ‘rehearsing for this’  and an anthology of local poetry, ‘A Pocketful of Windows’. Felix writes a blog, felixhodcroftpoet.com, which argues passionately for the continuing importance of poetry old and new and especially that which is neglected or forgotten.   

All timings are approximate and subject to change. This is an outdoor event so please dress appropriately for the weather. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

There are plenty of places to perch but for added comfort please feel free to bring your own portable seating.