Better late than never? After a summer of cancelled events, there is some positive news as Midsomer Arts Festival returns for 2020. Four months after the original festivities were planned, the festival will return remotely and online celebrating the wealth and variety of Art taking place within the Midsomer Norton and Somer Valley area. This year the festival will once again be providing a platform for local people to create, exhibit and perform – but with the displays, activities and performances held online and remotely.

Photomarathon

The first event to be announced is the return of the popular 'Photomarathon', which traditionally kicks off the festival. Members of the public are invited to take part in exploring the town in an imaginative and unfamiliar ways, using their camera. Entrants this year should take one photograph for each of the six chosen themes: Circle, Home, Comfort, Outside, Shine and Alone.

The deadline for entries is noon on Monday 2nd November. The photos will then be displayed both online as the printed and displayed around town. Organisers encourage participants to be as creative and unique as possible.

Photographs can be taken on any suitable device – be it a traditional camera, a phone, tablet etc. This year entries are invited to be uploaded to the relevant platform. This includes, email to [email protected], post on Instagram, with the title and hashtag #msnphotomarathon, or posted on the Midsomer Arts Festival Facebook page.

The Arts Festival is organised by the Midsomer Norton Community Trust and sponsored by Midsomer Norton Town Council. Plans for a performance event are close to completion with an announcement expected next week. For more information email [email protected] or phone 01761 419133.

An afternoon of the best local talent live-streamed to your home

A live arts event forms the second part of this year's Midsomer Arts Festival. The event will consist of an afternoon of live-streamed music, drama, dance, visual art and other creative work – showcasing the incredible range and quality of creativity that exists in the local area. Whilst the public will be unable to attend in person the event will be live-streamed from Midsomer Norton Town Hall on Saturday 7th November from 2.30pm, until a finish estimated around 6pm.

As we all know times are very hard for musicians and performers at present, with all the restrictions on live performance. The Community Trust's aim is to provide the opportunity for performers to share their work and to provide entertainment and artistic enjoyment for the local community.

Live acts confirmed so far include Al O'Kane, Sam Evans, Rivers of England, The Lost Trades and James Harriman. All of these acts have previous associations with Midsomer Norton and the Arts Festival are delighted to be able to give these artists a platform during these difficult times. In addition, there will be pre-recorded performances by local individuals and community groups. Many local organisations have already promised or submitted examples of art or performance to be used on the day.

The afternoon's performances will all be professionally recorded and available on YouTube for those unable to watch live and Somer Valley FM will broadcast highlights and interviews following the event. The link for the live stream will be posted HERE: the MSN community trust site

The Community Trust welcome contact from any local individuals, groups or organisations that think they may have creative and performing arts work to share. For more information on the afternoon – or to get involved – contact the Community Trust either by emailing [email protected] or phoning 01761 419133. Updates will also be available on the Community Trust and Arts Festival Facebook pages.