Enjoy the familiar or discover something new at events from 16 October to 12 December. Come along to try something new, laugh, relax, meet new people, express yourself or support your wellbeing. Tickets are available to book now.
Chosen by residents, this season has a line-up of different events including music, comedy, theatre and workshops in art, craft and dance. Hosted in 23 Cambridgeshire Libraries, there will be something on your doorstep for you to enjoy.
Klezmer Foygl launches our season in Wisbech with their concert of energetic Yiddish music woven with stories of its origins. Then, award-winning The Bookshop Band, described by the New York Times as “Not just good, but achingly good", are sharing their book-themed folk music in St Ives and Cambourne.
Discover the delights of Opera in Ely with A Pocket Opera or sing your heart out like a sailor at the Sea Shanty Workshop in March Library. Grab your hats and head to Hat’s Off! an interactive family concert with a carnival themed music workshop in Arbury, Cambridge City.
Discover the invisible lifeforms living in our soil and waters that keep our planet healthy through immersive screenings of two stunning digitally created landscapes and understand how eco-systems work through the nature computer game Treeplanter. Drop in after school on Friday 27 November to Secrets of Soil and Water Portals at Littleport library.
Sneak Behind Enemy Lines and discover extraordinary women who were secret agents of Special Operations Executive through storytelling and songs at Clay Farm, Cambridge.
For the spooky season, join professional writer and theatre maker for a spine-chilling creative Ghost-Story Writing Workshop at Wisbech and Soham. Or experience Goosebumps of Delight a dramatic telling of two Charles Dickens' ghost stories, with a comic element.
Get creative as a family at Comic Art Masterclass in Papworth and Yaxley. Run by Kev F Sutherland, who has worked for Beano and Marvel and who now makes Shakespeare into graphic novels for kids!
Step away from the stresses of everyday life and be welcomed into a world where beautiful and uplifting Kathak dance and soulful Indian music meet in NIDA at March Library.
Caregivers of babies up to one year old can enjoy a restorative and soothing, immersive experience of dance and live cello music with their babies. Hosted by A Dance For Us in our welcoming space at Central Library.
Want to experience some mood boosting endorphins? Join Fun Dance Workshop with elements of Afrobeat Hip-hop and Jazz for all ages in Whittlesey and Ely. Older participants who want a calmer experience and a relaxed pace will love Dance for over 55’s in Ramsey.
Prefer to laugh your stresses away? Then bring your everyday worries to NaanE Swarmi the comedy granny and trade them for her hilarious, heartwarming advice! Hosted by Ask Granny at Alconbury Weald.
Join Victor and Albert, at Huntingdon Library, for their praised two-man variety show, where an attendee said: “if you were available on prescription there would be a lot less depression in the world.”
New offer: The Library Presents Level Up courses
As our subsidised visual arts and craft activities become increasingly popular, we have introduced new Level Up courses which offer you the chance to dive deeper into specific artforms such as ceramics.
The ticket price of the new course covers the costs of the artist and materials, and is not for profit. We hope these courses will be a self-sustaining offer and you will get more of the visual arts you love, at a reasonable cost.
You can book onto Level Up Ceramics course with artist Louise Beale where you will build, glaze and have fired your own ceramic pot, decoration or sculpture across three sessions.
Our regular 2-hour workshops continue as normal with their subsidised pricing.
Go All In this season
As part of the National Year of Reading, we have created some fun-filled book lists based around the events in the programme. For example: look through the graphic novel for Romeo and Juliet, listen to an audiobook on women's historical figures, or read a book inspired by the themes of a show. Go on… Go All In and discover something new through The Library Presents website!
Councillor Alison Whelan, chair of the Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council said: “I’m delighted to see the return of The Library Presents which makes high quality arts and culture events accessible to people across Cambridgeshire through their local libraries at subsidised prices.
“These events provide a safe space, a welcoming environment and a sense of community. I encourage everyone to take a look at the wonderful new autumn and winter event programme to see which fantastic events will be taking place near you.”
Cambridgeshire is one of a small number of library authorities able to bring high-quality arts programmes to local communities, thanks to the continued funding from Arts Council England.
Hazel Edwards, South East Area Director, Arts Council England, said: “The Library Presents shows how creativity flourishes when it’s woven into everyday community spaces. This season’s resident‑led programme brings high‑quality arts experiences to people of all ages, with a real commitment to inclusion and wellbeing. And in this National Year of Reading, it’s fantastic to see libraries transformed into places where everyone feels welcome to explore, connect and be inspired.”
Tickets on sale now!
As always, demand is expected to be high, and it is anticipated that many events will sell out quickly. Tickets can be purchased online, by scanning the QR code in the programme brochure, by phone, in-person at participating libraries, or on the door (subject to availability).
Find more information at: www.library.live/the-library-presents
