Big Petworth Night Out from PetFringe team

Founder of PetFringe Pete Drummond said it would showcase a myriad of West Sussex talent and support local charities and businesses: “Hosting an eclectic mix of different artists from rock, folk, classical and jazz, to comedy and performance poetry, the PetFringe initiative complements the arts festival, established for many years, which now attracts the very best in musical talent from around the world.”

Pete anticipates the highlight will be The Big Night Out on Saturday, July 2 with leading Queen tribute band The Bohemians as headline act: “Petworth has an exciting new experience coming, the first-ever music festival in the middle of town. The Big Night Out is so big it starts at lunchtime. Set behind the Hampers Green Palladium, there is music all afternoon from local legends Willie Austen and Ben Pryer to unsigned bands and acts like Chichester’s Matt Chesher, the amazing Icarus Dive, FØXE, Next State and the incredibly-talented Zoe Zori. This part of the day is completely free.

“Everything gets bigger at 5 o’clock, the ticketed part of the day, starting with The Psychedelic Hearts Club playing Beatles tracks, moving on to The Son, rock gods from Haslemere, to a bit of African drumming from Kristian Bediiako and finishing with the sensational Queen tribute band, The Bohemians. Even Queen’s own Brian May described them as ‘brilliant’. Tickets are £10 in advance from the ticket office in Market Square or online at petfringe.co.uk.”

Pete added: “When Petworth Fringe was started last year it took as its slogan ‘home grown talent plus guests’ and it is one we have tried to hold true. The aim was to engage Petworth and West Sussex people in the fun and quirkiness of a fringe and provide a stage for the young, the unsigned, the amateur, the unusual. The fringe organisers hope that Petworth will take the Big Night Out to its heart and appreciate it as a great fun day for all the family. Other plans include at least one fringe event on every night that week in the Acoustic Lounge at The Black Horse, Byworth, the Hampers Green Palladium, the Leconfield Hall and the first-ever events to be held at the newly opened Welldiggers Arms. Comedy includes the unusual act, Boobs I Have Made, a tribute to one of Britain’s most popular comedians and an award winning one-man show. The Fringe finishes on the weekend of July 9-10 with an amazing food festival in Market Square. Organised in conjunction with Fantastic British Food Festivals, there will be talks, tasting sessions. children’s events and a bake-off competition. We wanted to do something centred around the town that showcased the rich pool of talent that exists in West Sussex. We provide a platform for young singers and performers and support more informal comedy and entertainment as well as helping some of the locally-based charities.”

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