TWO weekend events are to take place in Dovercourt as part of the build-up to the Harwich Festival of the Arts 2024.

The first pre-festival event is on Saturday, June 15, when the festival will be hosting a Buskers' Corner at the Artisan Market held at Orwell Place from 11am to 3pm – with the market running between 10am and 4pm.

Musicians, poets and performers of all ages and skills are welcome to perform for up to 15 minutes at a time, with supply mics and a PA system available.

The second pre-festival event is on Sunday, June 16, with folk musician and author Tom Kitching at the Harwich Arts and Heritage centre from 2pm

Mr Kitching is launching his new book and album, 'Where There's Brass', with a special storytelling and music concert tour the contemporary London waterways community – “a floating slum at worst, a bohemian, alternative, vibrant community at best”.

The Annual Festival of the Arts starts on Thursday, June 20, at the Old Chapel in Harwich at 6pm, followed by live comedy at the Electric Palace featuring Mark Thomas, and runs to Sunday, June 30.

Performers for Saturday's Buskers' Corner can also reserve a spot in advance by contacting the Harwich Festival at info@harwichfestival.com.