EVENTS INCLUDE:
- Community Fair – Sat 10 May, Sat 7 June, Sat 5 July – local businesses, makers, bakers, showcase their products and services in this free-to-attend event at Acacia Sports Hall.
- Open House – Sat 24 May 11am – Experience a special access-all-areas open house at Orchard West Theatre.
- West End Workshops – Tue 27 & Wed 28 May – Join Larissa Alexandrovnia this half term for masterclasses in singing, acting, dance and directing. Learn backstage industry secrets.
- Community Performance Platform – Fri 30 May – Bringing together local dance schools, who perform on the Orchard West stage. ‘Once Upon A Time’ Is a full scale dance extravaganza, full of developing local talent.
- Open Mic – Thu 5 June & Fri 11 July – show off your talents in this open mic event; singing, dancing, poetry, comedy, dramatic reads, musical performances, all are welcome!
- Drag Bingo – Fri 6 June & Fri 4 July – Grab your dabbers and head down to Orchard West, where local drag queen, Dee Star, will take you on a Bingo adventure with lip-sync performances, witty banter, spot prizes and not forgetting the big FULL HOUSE wins.
- Curtain Up – Musical Theatre Open Mic – Mon 9 June – Your turn to shine. Sing your favourite songs from the shows, accompanied by Musical Director Steve Trill.
- Craft and Cocktails – Thu 12 June & Thu 3 July – Unleash your creativity to transform a ceramic plate into a work of art that reflects your personal style! Bring friends or make new ones at this friendly workshop, along with a welcome cocktail and cocktail menu.
- The BIG Orchard Quiz – Fri 13 June & Thu 17 July – Bring your team! Who wants to be a million air, the chase and the big fat quiz of the year have nothing on the Orchard wests very own BIG QUIZ.
- On The Hunt Productions Presents… – Sat 14 June – An evening celebrating up and coming talent and student recitals from Barry De Jager school of music. Accompanied by local band favourite Knights of Nevada.
- Dartford’s Got Talent – Sat 21 June – Watch as local talent perform for our panel of judges and YOU, the audience. Feel the excitement as performers take to the Orchard West stage for the first time.
- Silent Disco – Sat 28 June – A first for Dartford. Don a pair of hi-tech headphones at this Dartford Pride afterparty and dance to non-stop hits in our main auditorium.
- The House Edit – Sat 5 July – Get that Ibiza vibe right on your doorstep, as Orchard West is transformed into a dance music venue, with live mixing on stage. With DJ Simon B from Raindrop Radio.
- An Evening With Anton Stephans – Sat 19 July – Join Dartford Favourite, Pride host and X Factor singer, Anton, as he tells tales from his life performing in the West End and beyond. Anton is joined by showbiz friend and local groups and Dartford talent.
Coming Soon – Community cinema – film titles released soon for our Sunday cinema club, showing in the Orchard West Auditorium.
Link to images for all events: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/699894rpjay2kf9vss7my/AFdA6mYicq4pZgvgyoBi4CU?rlkey=oe0vqu9ozz4klnzlpmxc8efjn&st=1bjxxkx0&dl=0
Please forward me any content or interview requests.
DARTFORD’S GOT TALENT – GRAND PRIZE REVEALED!
The Orchard has partnered with local travel agent Harden Holidays to award this amazing prize package to the winner of this year’s Dartford’s Got Talent:
WINNER’S GRAND PRIZE!
- £500 Holiday voucher from travel agent Harden Holidays
- A spot to perform on stage at Dartford Town’s BIG Christmas Light Switch On.
- A family of 4 ticket to this year’s pantomime Aladdin.
AUDITION APPLICANT DEADLINE Sat 10 May
Tim Harden, Manager at Harden Holidays says,“Harden Holidays are absolutely thrilled to be supporting Dartford’s Got Talent 2025 and to provide this year’s big prize! It’s an incredible opportunity to celebrate the amazing local talent in our community, and we can’t wait to see the wonderful performances that take the stage. Let the show begin!”
Creative Learning Manager, Terri McCann, says; “Dartford’s Got Talent is back back back again! This wonderful little incentive is stepping out of the rainbow beam of Dartford Pride where it first started. Dartford’s Got Talent has grown and is branching out on its own. For the first time we are holding the FINAL rounds LIVE on stage, at the award-winning venue Orchard West. A panel of judges, made up of both local figures and celebrities, will judge the talent as they step into the spotlight. Joined by an excited audience, the nerves and excitement are sure to be felt by everyone!
Pulling together a multi-talent Platform has fast become one of our gold star abilities at Orchard West. Especially at our annual Summer Youth Project, The Community Performance Platform and our Community Showcase (This year presented as an evening with Anton Stephans). These events are all produced in-house by our highly qualified and experienced venue team.
So if you have a passion for comedy, a flare for music, the voice of an angel, the feet of Fred Astair or the gymnastic abilities of team GB, Dartford’s Got Talent is the perfect opportunity for you to show everyone what you can do! All are welcome, bring your tribe or come alone and apply today.
If the stage is not your thing, be part of the audiences and experience the action unfolds before your eyes; where the winner will be crowned on the night and receive a very exciting grand-prize!”