Sam Brown, musician, composer and loop-violinist

Curious Agenda launches new festival

Jude Montague talks to Curious Agenda founder and director of imagination, Miia Forbes, about what we can expect from this year’s festival, A Curious Town Grows.

We are at the exciting beginning of the second festival run by A Curious Agenda in Hastings. The group’s mission is to inspire curiosity in the community by creating a space for people to be playful, explore and get creative. Through over 60 workshops, performances and experiences at this year’s festival, participants can discover the many intriguing curiosities that Hastings has to offer.

The festival begins at St Leonard’s Church with a night of cabaret and art exhibitions. Taking part are the award-winning Twice Shy Theatre and Revolting Rosy. Different local and guest creatives are displaying a range of work.

Highlights from the festival include curious happenings for families and grown-ups, including a magical woodland trail at Speckled Wood, and Alternative Sunday Service featuring drag queens including Drag Race UK Star Electra Fence and hosted by Heather Duster.

The festival also includes Great Art Face Off, Little Mashers’ Curious Kids Day and Tidal Treasures exhibition of art created from sea plastics. Festival-goers can also get curious at panel talks, take part in a ‘village fete’, explore a mycelium-themed sound and light exhibition by Radiator Arts, and discover their buzz at Bee Curious Day with local company Bee Potion.

There will also be an opportunity to discover the secret history of television with the Spirit of Invention ‘festival within a festival’ which commemorates the ingenuity of John Logie Baird 100 years ago.

Festival-goers can also get curious at panel talks, take part in a ‘village fete’, explore a mycelium-themed sound and light exhibition by Radiator Arts, and discover their buzz at Bee Curious Day with local company Bee Potion.

A Curious Agenda Festival

A Curious Town Grows is taking place from 24 May to 2 June 2024 at sites across Hastings and St Leonard’s. Following its celebrated inaugural festival A Curious Town Dreams in June 2023, the second festival features an exciting blend of performances, art installations, workshops and immersive experiences inspired by the theme of growth.

Festival events over the 10+ days are devised and presented by over 200 artists, performers, local businesses and community groups. They include a range of free as well as ticketed events with pricing options to ensure that as many people can participate as possible.

Further details about performers and collaborators will be announced on Instagram at @acuriousagenda along with updates regarding the evolving list of contributors.

CURIOUS AGENDA CIC is an East Sussex based non-profit working to inspire curiosity and creativity in individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Through collaborations, events, installations, workshops and more, CURIOUS AGENDA CIC works to ignite a sense of wonder and put curiosity at the top of the agenda! “We believe that curiosity is the key to creating healthier, more joyful communities.”

A Curious Town Grows Festival is taking place from 24 May to 2 June at various locations.

Learn more here.

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