WAMFest Felixstowe: A celebration of female creativity

WAMFest, the popular Felixstowe-based festival showcasing women in arts and music is back with two days of music, dance, literature and much more.

The festival will launch on Friday, October 13 with a party at @Inc in Hamilton Road featuring a host of female talent including Evie White, Brooke Telling, Lauren Jennifer, Hannah & Oscar, Reb Capper and Vicky Platt and Nazneen Molu. 

On Saturday there is a choice of venues. Town centre visitors will be able to enjoy the uplifting sounds of Samboomba, the lovely Ukulele Ladies and folk singer Elly Tree, have a sample of Spain with Gloria Gonzalez Picton, perhaps take part in an art workshop with Catalina Carvajal or an enlightening colour workshop with Helen Garth, who encourages women to never ‘age with beige’. The venue is @inc at 87 Hamilton Road and it is not ticketed but donations will be welcome. 

Alternatively, there is a packed agenda at the sublime Harvest House, which is a new venue for WAMFest. The splendid Conservatory is the place to go for literature with cake and conversation covering young adult fiction; lunch and listen, when WAMFest’s very own Ruth Dugdall will chat with five authors; and a tea and talk adult fiction session.

We are thrilled that authors Sophie Green, Jackie Carreira, Rachel Churcher, Belinda Rose Bond Polly Crosby and Kate Worsley will be among those taking part. This session will close with Ladies of Letters 2 featuring Helen Clarke and Jayne Lindill – back by popular demand after last year’s performance.

Elsewhere at Harvest House there will be a full programme of music in the Palm Court including multi-talented quartet the Wildflowers, Sound Street an acoustic trio, Evie White and acclaimed choirs Felixstowe Harmonies and Stellar Acapella. If all this creativity makes you want to join in, then we have a flamenco workshop with Gloria Picton, and a chance to sing with the uplifting Music in Our Bones group.

Crafters and makers will also be represented in the Dining Room at Harvest House where there will be an art bazaar.

WAMFest will come to a stunning climax at the Grosvenor pub where five talented musicians Ruby Ambrose, Lydia Angelica, Nicola Collis, Julie Usher and Jessica Turpin will take to the stage with their own unique performances.

“We are confident that there really is something for everyone,” said organiser Laura Locke.

“This is our third year and the second half of WAMFest 2023, and we are delighted to have such a full programme. It never ceases to amaze me how much talent we have here in and around Felixstowe, and it is a pleasure to provide a showcase for their creativity. Whether you want to come along and be entertained or feel tempted to have a go and try something new with our workshops, everyone is welcome.

“There is always a wonderful atmosphere and a superb showcase of female talent, and we can’t wait.”

In addition to this weekend celebration, a month-long art exhibition, Empower, will be on display at Brightwell Barns from October 5-28. And there is an exhibition at 142 Hamilton Road with five female artist’s work. 

Tickets are available at ticketsource. An all-inclusive ticket is available for all events for £28 (plus booking fee) or you can book individual events or a combination to suit your interests.

“We are hoping people will come and join us for the whole event,” added Laura, “as that way you will be able to enjoy a diverse programme and maybe discover something new.”

For more information follow us on Facebook or Instagram, or visit www.wamfestfelixstowe.art

WAMFest is supported by Felixstowe Town Council and the Port Community Fund.