By, Anonymous
2 min read
Are you a fan of Jewish Book Week? If so, don’t miss the Proms at St Jude’s Literary Festival in Hampstead Garden Suburb on 25 and 26 June.
Human rights lawyer, Philippe Sands, who made the documentary film My Nazi legacy, will talk about his new book, East West Street, which explores the motives of two senior Nazis through the critical eyes of their two sons. He will be in conversation with Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, whose book, My Dear Ones, about the effect of the war on his own family, has also just been published.
Award-winning journalist, David Aaronovitch, will be talking about his poignant memoir, Party Animals: My family and other Communists, which describes his bleak childhood, where all social contact was exclusively with members of that political party. He will be interviewed by Simon Lewis, former director of communications and the Prime Minister's official spokesman at 10 Downing Street.
Jewish Chronicle Literary Editor, Gerald Jacobs, whose novel Nine Love Letters is published later this year, will be in conversation with Philip Norman about his new biography of Paul McCartney. This chronicle of a ‘modern immortal’ looks at not only his music but also his controversial love-life.
Other best-selling authors being interviewed are Claudia Hammond, Helen Dunmore, Mark Haddon, Dame Jane Bakewell and Kate Summerscale.
The LitFest is a great chance to hear these writers in an intimate setting and get a personally signed copy of their latest books. You can also enjoy lovely lunches, delicious home-made cakes, tea, coffee and soft drinks at the renowned LitFest café.
If your taste is more to music, Proms at St Jude’s also offer nine days of first-class concerts, from 25 June until 3 July. There’s the popular 1812 Overture and ‘Rach 2’ (Brief Encounter) in the Russian Evening on 26 June. International pianist Martin Roscoe plays Beethoven, Schubert and Debussy in a Recital on Monday 27 June. For lovers of American music, Counterpoise will be performing works by Copland, Gershwin and Dizzy Gillespie. And Jazz Night brings the multi-talented pianist, singer, drummer, arranger and actor Joe Stilgoe together with brilliant singer, Claire Martin.
Free concerts are held at lunchtimes too.
If the weather’s good, you can picnic on the lawn right beside St Jude's ahead of the concerts or in the interval. There’s also a licensed refreshment marquee serving a tempting range of food, as well as wine, Pimm's, prosecco, beer and hot and cold drinks.
The Proms Festival also offers a variety of guided Heritage Walks in the locality, including one starting in Golders Hill Park and another at King’s Cross.
The LitFest takes place in The Henrietta Barnett School and the concerts in the acoustically renowned church of St Jude-on-the-Hill, both in Central Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London NW11.
LitFest tickets are just £9 and concert tickets from between £11 and £35. Proceeds raised go to charity: the North London Hospice and Toynbee Hall.
To book tickets online and to find out more about the Festival visit www.promsatstjudes.org.uk. General enquiries 020 3322 8123.
To receive a 20 per cent discount for the Martin Roscoe piano recital, available only to JC readers, use the code 20ROSCOEJC when making your booking.