We are thrilled to be hosting a return visit by local music celebrity Hamish Stuart.

Hamish, a member of the Average White Band from 1972 to 1982, went on to work with Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and David Sanborn. He wrote Atlantic Starr's 1986 hit "If Your Heart Isn't in It" and songs for Smokey Robinson, Jeffrey Osborne, George Benson and Diana Ross. He went on to join Paul McCartney's band (where he switched between guitar and bass as necessary with McCartney) for McCartney's 1989 comeback album, Flowers in the Dirt, and appeared on several other albums as well as playing for McCartney's world tours of 1989 and 1993.

After collaborating on numerous albums for other artists, he recorded his first solo album, Sooner or Later, in 1999, 17 years after leaving the Average White Band, which he released on his own record label, Sulphuric Records. Apart from playing with his own group, the Hamish Stuart Band, and with his fellow Glaswegian guitarist and friend Jim Mullen, Hamish also produced Gordon Haskell and the Swedish singer-songwriter Meja.

In 2006 and 2008 Hamish toured as the bass player with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band; and in 2007, he produced and appeared as a guest vocalist on the album All About the Music, by The All Stars Collective. Along with partner Claire Houlihan and friend Tom Sutton-Roberts, Hamish curates the annual mOare Music Festival in Oare.

Don't miss our popular relaxed Friday night jazz events - free with a retiring collection. No need to book tickets, just drop in.

Are you a creative who would like to know more about photography, running a business online or other aspects of working creatively?

Join this Creative Skills Sharing to share skills and make new contact 10am-1pm. Find out more about how to photograph your work 1pm-4pm. You can drop in at any time.

We'll have a photographic corner set up so that you can photograph your work. Karen of Love Your Camera will be on hand to help you take better photographs. And it's a great opportunity to get a new headshot for your creative business.

Artist Nigel Wallace of White One Sugar will be joining us to offer tips and advice on running an online business, plus illustrator and Photoshop tasters.

There'll be an area with vision boards, so that you can take the time to put together ideas for your creative business.

And you'll meet other local bloggers, writers, photographers, makers and creatives.

Now one of the largest free music festivals in the UK, the Faversham Hop Festival celebrates both traditional and contemporary live music, from folk and country to tribute bands, singer-songwriters and rock. 

Enjoy the best local bands here in the Gatefield Hall (the only Hop Festival free gig venue that's also under cover!). Share a pint or a glass of wine with friends and family in our Hop Festival garden, or refresh yourself with a cup of tea and home-made cake in our pop-up cafe.

Just drop in - no tickets required!

Saturday 1-1.45pm:QE Students

                2-2.45pm: Estelle Mey

                3-3.45pm: The WaterGrain Band

                4-4.45pm: New Old World  

                5-5.45pm: Funke and the Two tone Baby

                6-7.30pm: Green Diesel 

Sunday 1-1.45pm: Faversham Youth Choir

              2-2.45pm: High Tide

              3-3.45pm: Paragraph 1

              4-4.45pm:  Creek 

              5-6pm Curb Pilots 

Tina May is an international jazz artist and is joined by 'les girls' a top-class group of fabulous female musicians:-

Nikki Iles on piano, Karen Street on accordion and Julie Walkington on double bass

'Berlin, Paris, Broadway - a jazz journey' celebrates jazz , chansons  and the great 'Divas' of our age; featuring music from our favourite chanteuses: Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae and composers such as Kurt Weill, Gershwin, Ellington, Styne,  Cole Porter and many others.

Enjoy a glass of fizz, a three course meal and entertainment from the Kent School of Performing Arts at this black-tie charity cabaret ball.

A good time is guaranteed for all! In aid of Open Arms Malawi.

After his visit to Faversham with Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time in February; we are delighted to welcome back Bob Flowerdew to entertain us with tips and stories on the subject of 'No Work Gardening'! His talk will be followed by a Q&A session.

Come along for a light-hearted evening of anecdotes and advice - licensed bar available.

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