Tuesday 30th June

Pomegranate Café, Keynsham Temple Street, 7.30pm £2
Writing for Teenagers – Rachel Ward, Local Author

‘Since her mother’s death when she was seven, fifteen year-old Jem has kept a secret. When her eyes meet someone else’s, she can see the date on which they will die.

All too aware that nothing can last forever, Jem avoids relationships, until she meets Spider, another outsider. A connection between the two is unmistakeable, but on a day out together to the London Eye, Jem realises something terrible – looking down the queue she sees everyone has the same number – her world is set to explode.’

Rachel Ward’s debut novel, ‘Numbers’ is a “true pulse racing narrative, leaving you breathless after only the first chapter.” Published in January 2009, and shortlisted for the Waterstones Childrens Book Prize, ‘Numbers’ has also been sold to twelve countries outside the UK, including Germany, Thailand and China. It will be published in the USA in early 2010.
Rachel will be reading an extract from her book and talking about the weird and wonderful process of having a book published.

Rachel will be known to many in Keynsham, as she has worked for Bath & North East Somerset Council in the town, based in the Town Council office, for 7 years, working on projects including the Victorian Evening, the Farmers Market, Fairtrade, and, most recently, the Keep it Local: Keep it Keynsham campaign.

Tickets are available at the Keynsham Town Council offices 0117 986 8683
Numbers are limited, so please buy in advance. The ticket price includes a £2 discount off the retail price of the book, which will be available for sale on the night. http://rachelwardbooks.com

Wednesday 1st July

Spyros Dendrinos –
Pomegranate Café, Keynsham Temple Street, 7.30pm £3

The audience raved about him last year.. so we asked him back. Expect an exquisite performance of classical and romantic guitar with a Mediterranean flavour.
Tickets £2 are available at the Keynsham Town Council offices 0117 986 8683
Numbers are limited, so please buy in advance.

Thursday 2nd July

Carter Room, Fry Club and Conference Centre 7.45
Hairspray

An all singing and dancing film with quirky humour, flashy costumes, over the top performances and wacky hairstyles.
£4.50 on the door
In partnership with Keynsham Film Works

Friday 3rd July

Carter Room – Fry Conference Centre (opp Keynsham Station) 8.00 Start
From the Holy Mountain - A talk with William Dalrymple

One of our most talented travel writers, Dalrymple is renowned not only as a fascinating writer but also as a wonderful speaker, who brings passion and humour to his talks. He will be sharing the enthralling story of his journey visiting Eastern Christian communities of the former Byzantine Empire, which took him through Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt, and resulted in his award winning book, ‘From the Holy Mountain’. The evening promises to be insightful, eye-opening, poignant and hilarious. The event is a result of a partnership between Keynsham Music Festival and More to Life.
“Dalrymple stands out as one of our most talented travel writers. Energetic, thoughtful, curious and courageous.”
Anthony Sattin, Sunday Times

William was booked to talk last year in Keynsham but had to cancel at the last minute because he won the Indian equivalent of the Booker prize which he had not at all anticipated. As an apology to Keynsham he reduced his fee this year which made it possible for the organisers to offer all profits to Wherever The Need, a local charity doing fantastic work in small communities in India, Kenya Sierra Leone, providing eco sanitation and clean water.

Tickets £8/6 concs available from Keynsham Town Council 0117 986 8683
For more information visit www.wherevertheneed.org.uk
Subsidised bar

Saturday 4th July

Fairtrade Ceilidh with Free Spirit
Keynsham Memorial Park 7.30

Celtic folk band with tradition and electric fizz, Free Spirit will be performing live in Keynsham Memorial Park, with a caller on hand, to guide revellers through a variety of dances from around the Celtic world.

Tickets are £5.00 (£4.00 for concessions), and will be available from the Keynsham Town Council office.