4 brilliant things to do this August

Celebrate Caribbean culture, immerse yourself in all things folk, and experience new art this month

Instrumentalist Suntou Susso plays this month at Broadstairs Folk Week. Image: courtesy of artist and Broadstairs Folk Week 

Enjoy all things folk by the sea

Two great folk festivals take place on the coast this month. Broadstairs Folk Week is a celebration of music, song and dance, covering everything from ceilidhs to morris dancing and pub gigs to sea shanty singalongs. See multi-instrumentalist Suntou Susso take to the stage with his kora (a harp-lute with 22 strings) on 18 August, join an Appalachian clog dance on 16 August, or visit the week-long craft fair. Meanwhile, in Wadebridge in Cornwall, the best of Cornish folk music is showcased over the bank holiday weekend. Enjoy the music of indie duo Our Atlantic Roots (26 August), who blend American and British sounds, and folk sensation Sarah McQuaid (27 August). 

Broadstairs Folk Week, 11–18 August; broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk

Cornwall Folk Festival, 24–28 August; cornwallfolkfestival.com

Workers in a Field, by Millie Frood (1900–88), on show at Dovecot Studios. Image: The Fleming Collection 

Experience the arts across Edinburgh 

Throughout August the Scottish capital becomes the hub of all things creative, thanks to the cross-pollination of Edinburgh Fringe, Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) and Edinburgh Art Festival. Check out the former for cutting-edge comedy and world-renowned theatre. See performances by musical maestros from Aga Khan Master Musicians to Alison Goldfrapp as part of EIF, as well as a beautiful contemporary take on the ballet The Rite of Spring. For new visual art experiences, artist Alberta Whittle is presenting an enveloping exhibition, following on from her incredible installation at the Venice Biennale. And catch the exhibition Scottish Women Artists: 250 Years of Challenging Perception at the city’s Dovecot Studios, featuring this work, above, by Millie Frood. 

Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 4–28 August, edfringe.com

Edinburgh International Festival, 4–27 August, eif.co.uk

Edinburgh Art Festival, 11–27 August, edinburghartfestival.com

Supplementary education, Wilks Green Infant School, a photograph by Vanley Burke, considered to be the godfather of Black British photography, 1975, Handsworth, England. Image: © Vanley Burke

Mark this year of Windrush 75

Windrush Day was observed on 22 June, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush reaching British shores, and a number of arts institutions have been marking the anniversary. Among them is the V&A. There, a range of displays, talks and events explore the innovation and legacy of Caribbean culture across art, design, music and more. Check out Between Two Worlds: Vanley Burke and Francis Williams, a display that forges connections between Burke, the ‘godfather of Black British photography’, and Williams, an 18th-century Jamaican writer, whose portrait hangs in the museum’s collection. Or join the Historical and Hidden Caribbean Tour, which will take place across the museum on the last Sunday of every month (until 26 November). The whole Windrush 75 season at the museum continues until 31 December.

Visit vam.ac.uk for more details

Nature’s art: herbs and blooms at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Image: courtesy Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

Enjoy sculpture among stunning gardens

If you fancy filling your day with superb gardens, world-class art and award-winning dining, then plan a trip to Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire. Founded by Raymond Blanc, the site features stunning kitchen gardens (which support both the restaurant and Blanc’s culinary school), as well as the Japanese Fugetsu-An Tea House, an English water garden and a 2,500-strong heritage orchard. What’s more, a new commission by Italian artist Loris Cecchini has recently been unveiled as part of an ongoing partnership with Galleria Continua. This modular, stainless-steel sculpture intertwines,mimicking the natural shapes of nature while, quite literally, mirroring its surroundings. 

See belmond.com tapping in > le-manoir for details

For more art and culture events see The Arts Society Magazine, available exclusively to members and supporters of The Arts Society (to join, see theartssociety.org/member-benefits). And for more brilliant arts content delivered direct to your in-box, sign up at theartssociety.org/signup