You’ve got a busy weekend ahead with not one, but two, massive community events kicking off – The Charlbury Riverside Festival and The Rusty Street Party.
The Charlbury Riverside Festival is celebrating 30 Years of music, arts and community this Saturday and Sunday, (July 18–19) at The Mill Field, all for free.
Around 5,000 visitors are expected at the weekend packed with live music, arts, crafts, workshops, family activities and conversation. Run entirely by volunteers, Riverside has built a reputation for its warm atmosphere and independent spirit.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, music remains the beating heart of the festival, with more than 50 acts performing across four stages, featuring artists connected to Riverside’s early years alongside some of the region’s most exciting emerging talent.
Highlights include DB Band, featuring Supergrass co-founder Mick Quinn, Unbelievable Truth, Samurai 7, Emma Hunter, Bedd, Flamingo and The Bobo.
A major addition for the anniversary year is The Green Room, a dedicated space for talks, storytelling and conversation. Visitors can hear from a diverse collection of speakers on topics from creativity and culture to ecology and community life. These include a conversation with acclaimed television writer and producer Sally Wainwright, Ronan Munro, founder of Nightshift, reflecting on three decades of music journalism, music industry veteran Seymour Mincer on managing major touring acts and naturalist Geoff Carss discussing modern technology and bat conservation.
Alongside the main stages, audiences can enjoy the popular buskers’ stage, food vendors, craft stalls, bars, cocktails and locally brewed favourites from Hook Norton Brewery. Food wise, The Bull – Brisket Rolls, Naakaa – Mumbai Street Food, Fabulous Coffee Co – coffee, cocktails, bakes & cakes, Aroma Foods – Spanish churros, Amarello cuisine – Brazillian paella, Glen Ford’s ice cream van. Happy Herefords – burgers, Oxford Crepes, The Pork Shack – Pan Asian, Newdlez – Thai food, Well Nice Food – Fish and chips, Shepherds Ice cream, Habaneros – Mexican Burritos and The Big Cheese Toastie will be on hand to feed you.
What began in 1996 as a grassroots gathering created by a handful of friends with a makeshift stage built from milk crates and scaffold planks has grown into one of the UK’s longest-running volunteer-led free festivals.
“It’s by staying resolutely not-for-profit that we have managed not just to survive, but to thrive,” says Festival Director Andy Pickard. “At a time when the cost of living and ticket prices can put live entertainment out of reach, we’re proud to offer something different. We put on a show simply for the joy of bringing people together.
“We’re not here for the cash – or the clicks. We’re here to give people a good time. Friends, families and visitors from far and wide know they can come to Riverside and experience the very best Oxfordshire has to offer.”
For more info go to www.charlburyriverside.org
But there’s more, because for one day only, Hurst Street will once again become East Oxford‘s biggest street party, with a full day of free live music, ten acts, great food and the atmosphere that’s made The Rusty Street Party a summer favourite, this Saturday (July 18).
Teaming up with Truck Store to bring together some of the best emerging artists from Oxford and beyond, whether you’re bringing the family down for Nick Cope, catching a few bands with friends or settling in for the whole day, there’s something for everyone. Best of all, it’s completely free.
The road will be closed, the stage ready for a mix of acts including Nick Cope, Mount St. Helen, Felix Ross, Tom Forbes, Fawlers, Hot Sauce Rhythm & Brass Band, Genevieve Miles, Papa Nui, Bare Jams and the Skylarkin’ DJ Set, so head down to East Oxford this Saturday for a community event to remember.
Go to https://dodopubs.com/event/rusty-bicycle-street-party/
