Events are selling out fast as this year’s Arts Festival throws open its doors to the public.

And yes the girls are back in town! This year’s festival is filled with some wonderful wordsmithery from singer/songwriters, poets and authors.

Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff’s blog says it all, Used to Be Somebody tells of a manic working mother who had finally had enough of having it all and who’s now trying to have a life instead. She’s even written a book on the subject, Half a Wife which she’ll be discussing at the library on Saturday 30 June. So is it possible to have a family, a relationship and a career without something having to give?

‘Hebden Bridge is full of families juggling work and family life. There are a lot of stay at home mums and dads, freelance homeworkers and couples trying hard to get the  work/life balance right. It’ll be fascinating to see how Gaby’s experience resonates with mothers here in the valley.’ says festival coordinator Helen Meller.

In Kate Fox’s opinion, the answer to most of life’s thorny problems is to write a poem:

Going to Gregg's more than once a week? You might be Piecotic.
Washing your car give you all the joy you seek? You're probably Auto erotic.
Belgian accent and a curly, black tache? You must be Poirotnoid,
Like visiting graveyards and churches and sometimes get the urge to dust pew rails and take church vows; AsVergers Syndrome,

All this from a woman who has been described as Victoria Wood channeling Sylvia Plath! Join her at the Stubbing Wharf for a rambunctious poetry slam Sunday 1st July!

Kate Summerscale was working on the obituary desk at the Daily Telegraph when she came across the idea for her first book. Two books later and she’s turned her unique blend of fact and fiction into a bestselling brand. She describes herself as ‘a journalist playing historian, and then trying to convert what I've found into something that approximates a novel". Join Kate in the library on 1 July. Jane Green has another way of tackling reality – escapism! Credited as one of the founders of the ‘Chick Lit’ genre, Jane believes curling up with a good book takes some beating! Catch her in the library on Tuesday 3rd.

Becky Unthank headlines at ‘Girls Allowed’, a superb afternoon of singer/songwriters at Wainsgate Chapel, bring a picnic and let the music  transport you! And 70s folk icon Julie Felix performs in the world famous Octagonal Chapel in Heptonstall, once home to John Wesley’s fire and brimstone!

For more information or to book tickets visit www.hbaf.co.uk or call in to the box office in Albert Street.

 

See also

• HebWeb News: Festival Box Office opens Saturday 16th June
• HebWeb News: Dance weekend to kick off Arts festival
• HebWeb News: Festival Programme launched: Matisse and Stewart Lee headline
• HebWeb News: Hebden Bridge Fringe Programme launched
• HebWeb News: Countdown to Arts Festival