Cultural hub of Rugby celebrates 20th anniversary with free online festival

Rugby Live celebrates music, art and heritage, with a packed programme giving a platform to the town's rich and diverse artistic talent.

The online festival runs over the weekend of 31 July to 2 August, with musicians, bands, poets and performers on the bill.

And the Art Gallery and Museum has issued a call-out to musicians and bands in the town for a chance to perform at a recording studio in Rugby for live broadcast during the festival.

Bands can apply to perform at Rugby Live by completing a form on the Rugby Art Gallery and Museum website - www.ragm.co.uk/rugbylive

Poets, dancers, spoken word acts and other performers who can pre-record pieces for broadcast during the festival should send an expression of interest together with a sample video by email to rugbylive@rugby.gov.uk

All applications must be received by 10 July.

Nikki Grange, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum's arts, heritage and visitor services manager, said the coronavirus pandemic had put paid to the original plans to celebrate the venue's 20th anniversary.

"Like everyone, our original plans for 2020 had to be abandoned due to the lockdown, but we remained determined to mark the milestone of being the cultural hub of Rugby for the past 20 years," Nikki added.

"The entire team has come together to organise Rugby Live, celebrating the best of the borough's art, music and heritage, and we look forward to welcoming audiences both old and new, online, over the festival weekend."

Further details of the festival line-up look set to be revealed over the coming weeks.

Cllr Jill Simpson-Vince, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for growth and investment, said: "Since opening its doors in 2000, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum has sought to showcase the best of contemporary art while exploring the borough's heritage and celebrating the artistic talent on our doorstep.

"Rugby Live builds on the range of innovative online content the Art Gallery and Museum has created during lockdown, and provides a wonderful opportunity for the town's artistic talent to take centre stage during the venue's 20th anniversary celebrations."