Programme
Programme
It's going to be a wonder-filled weekend! All activities are free (except the ticketed Jazz Concert).
Donations towards the cost of the festival are welcome on a pay as you are able basis.
Take a look at the details below to find out more.
Saturday 19th November 2022
12.45pm Official Opening of the Festival with Stroud Town Mayor Stella Parkes, Leader of Stroud District Council Steve Robinson and Stroud Team Rector Rev Kate Stacey
1:00pm: Welcome to wonder! Come in and enjoy: browse the Wall of Wonder, enter Into the Wonder of Stillness: Cave Space, get creative on the Craft Table, have your face painted at Wondrous Beauty, and enjoy free hot drinks and cake in the Warm & Wonderful Cafe (including under 5’s play area) or enjoy a Hot Vegan Meal especially prepared by Community Chef Sam Angelo (special festival price – suggested minimum donation £5pp).
2.30pm – 3.30pm: Offers an Open Dress Run of After Elijah, the Festival’s centrepiece circus spectacular. An exhilarating and uplifting aerial and circus show exploring the power of wonder. This is a free one-hour show, the audience will stand throughout but seats are available for those who need them.
Please note: No tickets are needed. Entrance will be on a first come, first served basis and will be limited to the maximum number allowed in the church. Donations are invited at the end of the performance.
3.30pm – 5.15pm: All of the Festival Activities & The cafe are open for to explore. Relax, have a free coffee, explore the quiet space or listen to the Voice of Wonder Spoken Word & Songs of Wonder with David Benjamin Blower & Chloe Smith.
5.30pm – 6.30pm: After Elijah, the Festival’s centrepiece spectacular. An exhilarating and uplifting aerial and circus show exploring the power of wonder. This is a free one-hour show, the audience will stand throughout but seats are available for those who need them.
Please note: No tickets are needed. Entrance will be on a first come, first served basis and will be limited to the maximum number allowed in the church. Donations are invited at the end of the performance.
6:30pm – 7:15pm: All of the Festival Activities & The cafe are open for to explore. Relax, have a free coffee, explore the quiet space or listen to the Voice of Wonder Spoken Word & Songs of Wonder with David Benjamin Blower & Chloe Smith.
7.30pm – 8.30pm: After Elijah, the final showing of the Festival’s centrepiece spectacular. An exhilarating and uplifting aerial and circus show exploring the power of wonder. This is a free one-hour show, the audience will stand throughout but seats are available for those who need them.
Please note: No tickets are needed. Entrance will be on a first come, first served basis and will be limited to the maximum number allowed in the church. Donations are invited at the end of the performance.
9:00pm Sounds of Folk and Taize – Join together in a special vigil for peace and hope, with Rev Simon Howell and David Benjamin Blower
9:30pm: Festival closes for the day. Back on Sunday at 10am.
Sunday 20th November 2022
10:00am: Welcome to day 2! Browse the Wall of Wonder, enter Into the Wonder of Stillness: Cave Space, get creative on the Craft Table, have your face painted at Wondrous Beauty, and enjoy free hot drinks and cake in the Warm & Wonderful Cafe (including under 5’s play area)
11:00am – 12noon: The Wonder of Worship: Come and join our intergenerational time of celebration – a Sunday morning at church as you’ve never experienced it before.
12:00 – 4.30pm: All Festival Activities reopen for all to explore. Relax, have a free coffee, explore the Wonder of Stillness: Cave Space or check out the inspiring Wall of Wonder and much more.
12.30pm – 1:30pm: The Festival of Wonder’s Free Community Lunch – a simple meal where all are welcome, free food and beverages are provided.
(Donations invited).
1:30 pm- 3:30pm: Famprov Workshop – This fantastic workshop will be led by Andy Bewley (Associate Director of Giffords Circus) and will focus on having fun and being freer through improvisation. Everyone is welcome but particularly families- even weird uncles! (Andy says he is looking at you Keith)! Bring anyone you like – very relaxed and lots of fun.
4.30pm – 6pm: Jazz Vespers Concert with Alyn Shipton and his New Orleans Friends’ Jazz Band. This concert offers an inspiring and fresh interpretation of the traditional revivalist jazz bands that made up the birth of New Orleans jazz.