At Sculpture by the Lakes we’re always looking for new ways to create special experiences for our visitors – from our changing seasonal menu in the café, to the inspirational artworks in our gallery and grounds.
And this year we’ve come up with something entirely new – the Sculpture by the Lakes: LIVE programme, with live music, entertainment and alfresco dining taking place throughout the summer months – and it’s all getting started on June 3.
Mini music festivals by the lakes
With their combination of live music, entertainment, and fantastic food amid the sculptures and gardens, you’re going to love our LIVE music evenings. We think of them as music festivals in miniature – minus all the crowds and mess of course!
Across six Saturdays in June, July and August the eclectic line-up ranges from the wildly theatrical antics of a group of ‘drunken sailors’, to traditional folk musicians, to a classic string quartet, with varied additional entertainment alongside including circus-style performers and even a murder mystery night.
June 11 – Old Time Sailors: immersive theatrical and musical journey back in time to the 19th century with a gang of ‘drunken sailors’ performing 30 songs and tunes within a magnificent ‘ship’ stage set. https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/old-time-sailors
June 25 – She’Koyokh: joyous range of klezmer & folk music from Eastern Europe & the Balkans. Appearing alongside them a mysterious stranger with magic at his fingertips! https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/shekoyokh
July 9 – Still-Moving DJs: vintage music from the 1930s to the 60s on July 9, bringing a stellar selection of tunes, live percussion, ship lanterns, original vinyl records, gramophones, tankards and…dinosaurs! They will be joined by hula artist Honey hooping her way around the sculptures. https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/still-moving-djs
July 23 – Doel Brothers: classic cars and classic rock ‘n’ roll are the theme, performing 50s favourites, vintage cars will be dotted around the park, and blues musician Harry Skinner a ‘wandering minstrel’ among the sculptures. https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/doel-brothers
August 6 – The FB Pocket Orchestra: a multi-talented trio playing many instruments, take listeners ‘Around the World in 80 Staves’. A gravity-defying unicyclist will be wending his way around the sculptures too. https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/pocket-orchestra
August 20 – Nova Foresta String Quartet: music from Swan Lake, with a 1920s themed murder mystery evening with clues and suspects to interview dotted around the sculptures – and a cameo appearance from sculptor and park founder Simon Gudgeon too! https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/nova-foresta
Alongside the music and entertainment, guests can enjoy the spectacle of the outdoor kitchen in action, where chefs Simon Gudgeon & James Howarth will prepare flamed-cooked food.
The Bent Copper Bar; a reimagined horsebox transformed by Simon into a mobile bar with a striking domed copper roof will also be open for drinks during Sculpture by the Lakes: LIVE events, including tasty signature cocktails made with Sculpture by the Lakes own gin.
For the full summer line up visit: https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/events