Chiswick House Gardens DOG SHOW
Sunday 26th September 2010 from 10.30am on the Cricket Pitch

A very popular annual dog show with fun classes to enter and an agility and heelwork to music demonstration. Last year's event proved as popular as ever, with over 1200 visitors enjoying the late summer sunshine. For the second year running we are fortunate to have Chiswick estate agents, Edward d'Arc as overall sponsor.

Chiswick House Dog Show has something for everyone, and is a great day out for the whole community. This year it will be one of the largest, free open dog days in London. It also provides the perfect opportunity for young families considering getting a dog to meet canines of all shapes and sizes in a fun and safe environment.

• Fun classes – for example, Fancy Dress & Best Trick
• Agility and Heelwork to Music demonstrations
• Local business and charity stalls
• Supported by local veterinary practices
• Wide range of refreshments
• Licensed bar

This year, owners and their dogs will be able to take part in a fun agility course, courtesy of The Dog Coach and The Dogs Trust parade is always popular!

Come and join in the fun!

The CHG Dog Show is organised in conjunction with Chiswick House Friends, with all the proceeds donated to improve dog-related facilities within the gardens.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer helper or are interested in taking a stall, please email thechowgroup@yahoo.co.uk

Tickets are not needed to visit the event, and pre-registration for the classes will be available from 1st August at www.chowgroup.co.uk. . You can also register your dog for classes on the day.

OPEN-AIR FILM FESTIVAL – took place June 20th - 23rd 2010

Chiswick House and Gardens Trust launched an exciting, new open-air film festival, offering four nights of cinematic entertainment as part of the celebrations of the restoration of the Gardens.

The programme includes four evenings of films. Tickets are available online (click on the film title link below) or by phone from www.ticketweb.co.uk 0844 477 1000, or they can be purchased in person from the shop at Chiswick House (cash only, open Sunday - Thursday).

Sunday June 20th – The Duchess (12A) sponsored by Fuller's Honeydew Ale
Monday June 21st – Mars Attacks (15)
Tuesday June 22nd – Best in Show (12)
Wednesday June 23rd – Mamma Mia! (PG)

Tickets for Sunday June 20th – Tuesday June 22nd cost £10 (£5 under 16s) and for Mamma Mia! on Wednesday June 23rd £12.50 (£7.50).

Gates open at 7:30pm each evening, and although the screenings will not begin until dusk (approximately 9:50pm) visitors are encouraged to come early to picnic in the gardens or to enjoy a meal from the Chiswick House Café. There will be a range of additional food offerings available including hot dogs, popcorn and ice creams, as well as a licensed bar.

Before each night's screening there will be special 'happenings' in the Gardens, including live classical music performances and a chance encounter with 'Mrs Malaprop' before The Duchess; out-of-this-world entertainers before Mars Attacks; and a Dogs Trust parade with flyball competitions before Best in Show. Visitors purchasing tickets to Mamma Mia! can embrace the opportunity to join in with Greek folk dancing, as well as enjoying the dulcet tones of Ceri Dupree and his Nana Mouskouri tribute. You can get in the mood and sing along with all your Abba favourites during Mamma Mia!

This is a community event organised in support of Chiswick House Gardens Trust.

Harp Recital by Serafina Steer in memory of Hermione Sandwith
Thursday 9th September 2010 at 7pm in Chiswick House

Those who attended our 25th anniversary party last year will remember the superb harp playing of Serafina Steer during the evening. This recital will include works from the time of Georgiana and is held in memory of Hermione Sandwith who was a founder member of the Chiswick House Friends Advisory Panel and Paintings Conservator of the National Trust.

The recital will last about an hour, and drinks will be served afterwards.

Tickets are limited, so early application is advised.
Application form for tickets for the Harp Recital (and Drinks Party – see below)

Chiswick House Friends Annual Drinks Party
Monday 20th September 2010 at 7pm in Chiswick House

With the restoration of the Gardens completed, this would be an ideal time to take a stroll through the beautiful surroundings of Chiswick House before joining us for drinks at the House to celebrate the relaunch of the Gardens.

Tickets are limited, so early application is advised.
Application form for tickets for the Drinks Party (and Harp Recital – see above)

Chiswick House Friends Opera 2010 – The Marriage of Figaro

The opera has become an annual event, and great fun, for Chiswick.

This year saw change with a new (to us) company involved. Opera Brava has a long-running history of successes, and provided the evening with the highest quality singing and music under the baton of Jeremy Silver. Bronek Pomorski deserves great credit for his company and the production. The cast was headed by Andrew Mayor as Count Almaviva, Edwin Hawkes as Figaro, Catrine Kirkman as Susanna, Amanda Buckland as the Countess and a very delightful Cherubino sung by Niamh Kelly.

The set, a salon interior, which changes into Susanna's workroom and then a garden, is nicely balanced by the actual garden setting. Cherubino's jump from the window lands on real plants and the gardener comes in with broken stems to show the evidence. Similarly, the Count searching for Susanna (or his wife, for they have swapped roles) wanders among the audience looking for her. Figaro, crossed and double-crossed, ends as a mildly tragic figure when he reclaims his bride.

The Marriage of Figaro was a highly suitable choice both for opera aficionados and those new to the classical repertoire, in that it has many magical arias, lots of important roles and much comic action. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, despite the unseasonable weather (the wind nearly blew the set away), but with Fullers beer, wine and Champagne, a hog roast (very popular) and delicious cakes and goodies from Chiswick House cafe, all were well supplied.

Not surprisingly, the event was sold out and we hope to repeat the occasion next year.

Calling All Budding Playwrights!

English Heritage and the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust are looking for talented writers to create a short audio sketch based on a historical view of Chiswick House gardens. To find out more about how to enter, and the prizes, click here.