Listen, and look up, as the finest musicians in the land duet with the sweet sounds of the nightingale.
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This May, join folk singer Sam Lee and three special guest musicians on a rare and thrilling journey as darkness falls upon the woodlands of Sussex.
Enjoy an afternoon of workshops, nature experiences, and a campfire concert, followed by the after-dark safari itself. Experience a festival like no other as our guest musicians join the nightingales in an improvised duet with their brilliant nightsong.
Each year, for a short period mid-April, a few thousand nightingales fly to southern UK from Africa. They can be heard in just a small number of special locations, taking up songful residence after dusk. The territorial males serenade loyally each night for no more than six weeks among the blackthorn and forest margins, giving unbelievable privilege to those who know where to go.
Step into nature, learn about these majestic birds, and marvel at the incredible human-avian musical collaboration.
The festival includes:
• Songs, storytelling and folklore with your host Sam Lee and musical guests around the campfire
• Promenade walks through the woods in small groups to hear our guest musicians joined in improvised collaborations with the nightingales
• Nature immersion, camp craft skills and foraging workshops from 4pm
• A delicious vegan dinner available to buy
• Optional overnight camping (scroll down in the ticket window for camping add-ons)
What’s the difference between the Festival and your other Singing With Nightingales events?
The festival will involve a larger crowd, rather than the more intimate Singing with Nightingale events for around 30 people. It will feature 3 performances with different artists, each performing their own duet with the nightingales. Guests will be invited to join a range of workshop activities during the day, including nature immersion, camp craft skills, and foraging. Also, your ticket to the Festival does not include dinner & drinks, which can be purchased on site instead.
For information on camping please see ticket options.
A full Covid-19 risk assessment will take place for this event nearer to the time, reflecting the latest Government guidelines. We anticipate, and hope, that it will be able to go ahead, however we will keep ticket holders updated with any changes, and should cancellations be necessary then ticket transfers or full refunds will be available.
Singing With Nightingales FAQs
Mercury Prize-nominated folk singer, conservationist, song collector, award-winning promoter, broadcaster and activist.
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English musician and record producer. One of Britain’s most original and influential guitarists.
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Millicent Chapanda is a British-based Zimbabwean Shona cultural artist, traditional mbira player, percussionist, singer, dancer and storyteller.
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A true jazz spirit. Byron’s always-absorbing music genuinely draws in disparate elements of African and Eastern cultures.
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Secret location near Lewes, Sussex. Exact location and directions will be sent to ticket holders.
This beautiful location in the East Sussex countryside has a thriving population of Nightingales who make this their springtime home. The farm and its associated meadows and coppiced woodlands are a pristine wildlife environment.
Its closeness to Lewes and fast train direct from London to the nearest station of Cooksbridge make this a wonderful site which has allowed us many hours of deep listening and memorable times round the fire. Due to sensitivity with the small population of birds and being that this is private land and not public forest we must keep the exact location secret until your ticket has been purchased and instructions are ready to be sent out.
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