DEBBY AKAM - "THINKING IN COLOUR" . Paintings + Woodcut Prints. New paintings on canvas and original woodcut prints are investigations of layered space created through colour relationships and gestural...
A Post Lockdown Collection of Paintings by Frances Winder "I found that lockdown and the isolation and stress caused by Covid created a big problem with my art work. It...
We will hold you spellbound as we tell you a tale based on one of the 101 Arabian Night Stories, told by Scheherezade to her husband, the Sultan. Meet the...
Playing on the custom built reggae sound system North Fire Sound Aba Shanti iSound of Jah Lighting & ThunderPlus support DJs This is a special opportunity to witness one of...
"The League of Ukulele Gentlemen are an exciting and dynamic quartet. Over the past few years (a slight hiatus over the last 20 months!) they have been thrilling audiences all...
A unique band which tastefully blends folk and world music Solana’s rich and inventive sonic tapestry is anchored by a deep respect for traditions rooted in all corners of Europe...
Paintings by Stephen Livingstone Beehives are places of mystery and magic. Even beekeepers, who over many centuries have developed an intimate, symbiotic relationship with honeybees, can never properly understand the...
Friday 10th June at 8pm Critically acclaimed guitarist and composer Richard Durrant returns to Upfront as part of his popular 27-day Music for Midsummer tour 2022 At this concert Richard...
Original Chinese Paintings by Milly (Mrs Shang Chaofeng) This exhibition of Milly’s work has been brought to us by John Keith, local art collector, who is an Upfront Gallery supporter...
From 23rd July to 3rd September (every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday).
“Sometimes it takes a global pandemic to slow down and focus on the fundamentals. When Ben Caplan lost the opportunity to tour and create with the regular cadre of musicians...
The Upfront Gallery Summer Exhibition includes some of our regular artists and some new artists. There is a selection of work in a variety of media - oil, acrylic, charcoal,...
Daniel Ibbotson "This exhibition will tell the story of my inclusion and ongoing adventure at this year’s Venice Biennale". I was asked by European Cultural Centre to exhibit at this...
(Roots Garden Records, Worldwide FM) Manasseh soundsystem was built in 1985 by a group of friends and finished on the Sunday morning of Notting Hill Carnival. With the aim of...
Twelve artists express their philosophies, motivations and styles Artists will include Frances Winder, Kay Leech, Rosie Wates, Angie Mitchell, Tina Balmer, Annie Luke Turner, Kate Bentley, Heather Hannah, Liz Tracey,...
Hand Shadow Artist - Drew Colby Based in London, Drew is founder of the Finger and Thumb Theatre, specialising in hand shadow puppets and ‘instant puppetry’. Described as ‘a man...
Hand Shadow Artist - Drew Colby Suitable for Adult & 12 years+ What is this magic of light and dark that so transfixes young and old? It is the ancient...
N’famady Kouyaté is a young energetic master musician from Guinea (Conakry), who relocated to Cardiff (Wales) in 2019. A talented multi-instrumentalist who wowed audiences across the UK and Ireland during...
Eight ceramicists express their philosophies, motivations and styles. Ceramicists will include Nigel Edmondson, Geoff Cox, John Calver, Sally Toms, Emma Louise Wilson, Lara Clahane, John Davenport and Jan Huntley-Peace.
A Magical Winter Fairy Tale - A Perfect Outing for Christmas An original Upfront Puppet Theatre production, involving different puppet types, special scenic effects, projected moving images and a revolving...
Mark is a professional printmaker and landscape artist living and working in the coastal village of Ravenglass in the beautiful Lake District. His home studio is situated on the shores...
Northumberland-based artist, Mary Ann Rogers, paints vibrant watercolour paintings full of energy, from an in-depth knowledge of her subject matter. Her studio is surrounded by the wild hills of Northumberland,...
We are pleased to welcome An Dannsa Dub for their first major performance in Cumbria. Music is one big conversation. And few bands live at the heart of it like...
Shows at 11am & 2:30pm About SeedHeart, from Indigo Moon Theatre Meet Grey. Our journey begins as Grey finds themself trapped inside a jar. They try to remember how they got...
“A sublime fusion that combines pastoral dreaminess with the heat of highlife and Afrobeat sounds” Songlines “Such interesting influences… beautiful” Cerys Matthews Me and My Friends play soulful, poignant music...
Professor Clive Chandler's - World Famous - Punch and Judy All the silliness that is to be expected in the hands of an expert who has delighted audiences across the...
Jack and the Beanstalk by Clive Chandler Performances at 11am and 2:30pmA traditional tale with original twists! When the family's good fortune is stolen away and a grey cloud hangs...
A Group Exhibition of Paintings, Prints & Mixed Media by Susan Dobson, Christina Mingard, Kate Durdy & Eddie Potts. We also have ceramics by Chris Cox, Syl Macro, Brian Goodall...
Eduardo Martin, the Grammy nominated and multiple life-time achievement award-winning Cuban guitarist and composer, joins forces with fellow award-winning, London based Cuban musician, Ahmed Dickinson - a guitarist described as...
Paintings & Sculpture Hannah's paintings are full of colour, life & magic. She wants people to approach her work with an open mind and open gaze and let their imagination...
The South African roots of Cape Town born pianist/composer Philip Clouts have inspired a voyage of discovery that has lead him to soaking up the joyful passion of Caribbean calypso,...
We welcome three new artists to Upfront as part of our 2023 Summer Exhibition.Sheena McCurrach, from Galloway who has become known for her use of vibrant colour and texture, particularly...
Summer Puppet Show A traditional marionette performance, based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen. A beautiful & lyrical production with Chinese flute music by Yue Guo. A nightingale sings...
Jamie grew up in Cumbria and after living near Bath and exhibiting regularly in many London galleries he decided in 2022 to return to Cumbria and live near the Solway coast.He...
6th - 24th September The 20 images in the exhibition, each one mounted and framed, show the moods and movementof the Solway’s waters, particularly around the beaches of Dumfries and...
Come an enjoy a first time exclusive performance as Tamsin Elliott brings her new music project to Cumbria. "There is a rich thread of collaboration throughout, one which both celebrates...
We have a series of three Antique Fairs over a three month period. 26th September & 31st October. Whether your taste is jewellery, ceramics, glass, fine art, toys, militaria or...
Ceramic Exhibition by 12 members of Northern Potters - Northwest
Described by Folk Radio UK as ‘weaving an especially compelling magic’, and 'showing British acoustic music in its best possible light’, Northumbrian duo The Brothers Gillespie make music that is...
Very special guests Mungo's Hi Fi DJ set. Long time friends of North Fire Sound. Now a well known name in reggae & dubwise music across the globe. Mungo's have...
An expression of Life, Colour and Landscape by Potters and Painters This exhibition has been curated by Cumbrian artist, Frances Winder who is a regular exhibitor at Upfront:“The exhibition is...
A Magical Winter Fairy Tale - A Perfect Outing for Christmas. Left behind in the forest, can two innocent children survive? Hansel is quite smart, but it takes his sister...
It is a pleasure for Upfront to host an exhibition by Julie Dumbarton. Her first solo exhibition as a young artist was with us 22 years ago. She recently returned...
Hedera is a new Bristol-based quintet of instrumentalists brought together by a desire to lean into the slower and more delicate side of European folk traditions. Their growing repertoire draws...
For the first time we are inviting a guest sound system and crew. Mighty Oak Sound System have been friends with the North Fire crew for many years and it...
Based in amongst the wild natural beauty of the Lake District Olivia’s music is deeply rooted in her connection to the living earth. With a quality of the liminal to...
A celebration of the arrival of Spring by Green Door Artists Green Door Artists have been motivated by the vitality of Spring. A response to this season’s promise of renewal,...
A full circus in miniature. An amazing experience not to be missed, suitable for all ages. This unique collection of trick circus marionettes was saved for the nation by a...
Iration Steppas have played all over the world from Mexico to New York, Yorkshire to Barcelona. What an pleasure to bring one of the most respected sound man and music...
SHOW CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS AND WITHDRAWAL OF A CAST MEMBER. Show performed by Cumbrian theatre company "Ragged Edge Productions. Devised and Performed by Stefan Escreet, Peter Macqueen and Claire...
It is a real pleasure to bring Rory McLeod back to Upfront Arts Venue as he was the first person to ever perform in the newly built arts venue many...
This concert has moved to the new date of 30th June as Upfront totally flooded, due to the extreme weather conditions on 22nd May. We have been working non stop...
A marionette performance based on the traditional fairy tale.Meet Daisy the cow, the giant, the fiddle playing leprechaun with magic beans and the hen that lays golden eggs.Jack is brave,...
Mishra are a global folk band from the UK gathering international recognition, who draw together roots in UK traditional music with continent-spanning musical textures into a breathtaking 5 piece performance....
A brand new free event for Upfront Arts Venue We welcome you to enjoy an evening in the gallery barn with a full menu provided by the Upfront Kitchen. Enjoy...
A brand new free event for Upfront Arts Venue We welcome you to enjoy an evening in the gallery barn with a full menu provided by the Upfront Kitchen. Enjoy...
Usual activity at Dub N Grub - food served from 6:30pm Music played on the North Fire Sound - Reggae sound system for the full audio experience This time we...
A multimedia group of Scottish artists . An exploration of environment, landscape and feelings in a variety of different mediums. All work being a result of the creative spark whether...
'Madalitso band are a two man musical army from Malawi. Described as 'Uplifting and Vibrant' by the BBC, they get crowds beaming with wonder and on their feet dancing every...
Inspired by the Power and Beauty of Nature Jamie grew up in Cumbria under the Howgill Fells, has a degree in fine art from Bath and is an active member...
Dub N Grub is proud to welcome one of the UK's top mic men, vocalist & host to a special intimate session at Upfront all played on the full North...
Raz Olsher & Afla Sackey: a bond that fuels a dynamic and effortless musical relationship. Their music represents a harmonious union of African influences with electronic music, full of soul,...
We will hold you spellbound as we tell you a tale based on one of the 101 Arabian Night Stories, told by Scheherazade to her husband, the Sultan. Meet the...
Work with the amazing Bloomhead from the North East. Bloomhead is an independent Eco Floral Designer, Wedding Florist, and creator of Seasonal Wreaths & Bouquets. This is a great opportunity...
Living in Kendal, Frances is a regular exhibitor at Upfront. She has a fine Art Degree from Manchester, as well as an Art Teachers Diploma. She has had a varied art...
Kris Drever and Chris Stout are icons of the Scottish roots culture and two of the most powerful contemporary voices to sing out of it in the last quarter century....
We are a cooperative of individual artists, connected by our love of printmaking in all its forms. As champions of printmaking, we inspire and advocate through exhibitions, events and workshops,...
Dub N Grub is back for 2025 with the first event happening at the end of this month. This is another first time event for Cumbria as we welcome internationally...
Bio:Guitarist and singer, Heather Cartwright, resides in Glasgow after the completion of her degree in Traditional Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; "Talent and years of dedication have created...
‘Ambassador of the Blues’ Guy Davis is a two time, back-to-back Grammy nominee, a recipient of the Blues Foundation's, "Keeping the Blues Alive Award" in Theatre, has over two dozen...
An exhibition of work by artists who exhibit regularly at Upfront and some who are new to Upfront - Geoffrey Smith, John Sibson, Mark A Pearce, Kate Durdy, Eddie Potts,...
A Celebration of 30 Years Green Door are an artists' co-operative of over 100 members, living in the South Lakeland area and working across all art forms. The exhibition will...
A traditional marionette performance, based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen. A beautiful & lyrical production with Chinese flute music by Yue Guo. A nightingale sings and charms the...
We kick off the Dub N Grub after summer season. Inviting guest sound system Messenger all the way from Edinburgh Scotland. Stevie Messenger has been promoting and playing roots sound...
A mixed exhibition featuring work by a young, local Fine Art Graduate and work by three other Cumbrian artists - Jamie Oldham, John Sibson & Geoffrey Smith. Georgia Dalzell has just graduated...
Blantys enthusiasm for music & life is contagious, his songs are very catchy, his music is distinctly individual in a wonderful way. The dynamics of Blantys guitar playing & songs...
IN THIS UNIQUE double-bill, two actor-writers—GRACE KIRKBY & PETER MACQUEEN perform their own one-person shows, each directed by the other. Grace Kirby as a put-upon but compassionate NHS delivery driver, carrying...
We are pleased to welcome back Aba Shanti i The last time he performed at Upfront he blew the roof off the place. He will be playing a set on...
Kris Drever is among Scotland’s most acclaimed and distinctive contemporary musicians, celebrated for his warm voice, virtuosically expressive guitar playing and imaginative and evocative songwriting. Raised in the Orkney Islands,...
Our guest artists for Christmas are Susan Glassford and ceramicist Gordon Cooke. Our current resident 2025 are artists John Sibson, Jamie Oldham, Geoffrey Smith & Mark A Pearce and ceramicists...
This year’s Christmas production at Upfront Puppet Theatre is a magical retelling of the classic French fairy tale: “Puss in Boots.” This faithful adaptation brings the beloved story to life...
The Breath is Manchester-based guitarist Stuart McCallum and singer/flautist Ríoghnach Connolly. They met on the city’s gig circuit in the late noughties. An unlikely pairing though it was, he an...
The intuitive musical interplay between Kathryn and Amy is born out of a long-standing creative friendship. Kathryn's pipes marry beautifully with Amy's exquisite accordion playing. A cascade of jigs, reels,...
The secret of Soothsayers’ longevity is down to the band’s evolution,keeping them relevant in changing times .The band have produced 11 top quality studio albums showcasing song writing that exudes...
Take 300 years of music from around the world, turn it upside down, infuse it with humour, energy, passion and pathos - and you have the recipe with which the...
A full circus in miniature. An amazing experience not to be missed, suitable for all ages. This unique collection of trick circus marionettes was saved for the nation by a...
Steel Foxes are an 8 piece band from Cumbria that have made a solid impression on new audiences across the festival scene last summer. As they get ready for another...
This April, The Bridge returns to the beautiful Upfront Gallery with a powerful new chapter in their story. After their electrifying debut, Ahmed Dickinson Cárdenas and Eduardo Martín reunite to...
As Dub N Grub slowly works its way through some of the UK's top ranking sound system DJs & mic men. After trying to make this happen for many year...
In 2026, Jack Broadbent hits the road in support of Orchids, a deeply personal new album recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. The record, which earned early acclaim and led...
