Calling all performing Rugbeians - come and join in with Rugby's Festival of Culture

Rugby First is calling out to all people, amateur and professional organisations as well as community groups to apply now for a slot at this year’s Rugby Festival of Culture.

Over the last decade, the festival has become a firm favourite in the town’s calendar, with a programme of entertainment ranging from an open-air production of David Walliams’s ‘Gangsta Granny’ to the final of Rugby’s Got Talent competition.

The annual festival is supported by Rugby Borough Council and Rugby First and has previously welcomed more than 8,000 visitors to the town, to enjoy more than 100 events.

Rugby Festival of Culture is a platform to celebrate art and culture in its widest forms, with something for all audiences to enjoy.

A spokesperson for Rugby First said this year’s festival will be shorter and run over a week from Saturday June 20 to Sunday June 28 to focus artist and business engagement with a strategic marketing campaign, developed by Rugby First and Rugby Borough Council.

Cllr Jill Simpson-Vince, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for growth and investment, said: “The Festival of Culture is the perfect platform to promote Rugby’s diverse artistic talent alongside established acts from across the country.

“Homegrown talent makes a real contribution to the vibrancy and variety of the festival, and I’d encourage anyone interested in joining the festival line-up to apply.”

Rugby First operations director Rich Warren said: “Together with the food and drink festival and the start of Rugby School’s Festival on the Close, the last week in June will see the town centre buzzing and have a true festival feel to it. All we need now is the sunshine."

More details of the programme will be released in May.

In the meantime, application forms can be downloaded from Rugby First (rugbyfirst.org/rugby-festival-of-culture-2020) and Rugby Town websites and must be returned by Friday February 28.