The seasons are changing, and so is Derby Market Place. Building on its successful launch as an outdoor dining space, more will be on offer during October and November as the area hosts sessions of outdoor entertainment, a celebration of local Derby breweries, and its first market.
During October a series of themed Sessions will feature bands and live entertainment performing on a new stage in Derby Market Place. Choose from local bands, open mic, sounds and sights from Caribbean carnival, or jazz. Book a table for up to six people and relax, enjoy a drink from the bar, and soak up the atmosphere. You can pre-order food from local eateries for delivery to your table during the Sessions, or bring your own takeaway food.
Celebrate Derby’s solid reputation for locally-produced beer and cider at The Beer Sessions from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th October. Here, a selection of beers and ciders from selected local breweries will be available alongside wine, prosecco and gin. Evening sessions will feature entertainment, and again you can pre-order food for delivery or bring your own takeaway to enjoy an alfresco dining experience.
The Sessions are part of Derby City Council’s initiative to help support the city’s economy as it re-emerges from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, creating a cultural experience where people can enjoy live entertainment in their small groups, in a way which makes everyone feel safe.
Booking is required for tables for all Sessions. You can expect to pay around £20 per table, but this varies and full pricing information is below. Advance booking is strongly advised as seating is limited. Book online at derbymarketplace.co.uk or call the Sales and Information Centre on 01332 255800. If there is still availability, tickets can be booked on the day from the Derby Market Place on site box office, but these will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
When it’s time for a themed market, the chalet seating areas around the outside of the current space will be transformed into attractive stalls. The first to use the area will be the Vegan Market on Saturday 7th November, and entry will be free. For your safety and to ensure social distancing measures are observed, there will be a limit on the number of people who can browse at any one time.
Councillor Robin Wood, Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said:
In just a few short weeks Derby Market Place has established itself as a popular outdoor venue which has encouraged people to visit the city centre and socialise again, but in a well-managed way which makes their safety the priority. It has also provided a much needed boost for Derby’s hospitality sector. We’re now looking forward to expanding its potential over the coming months, and in the longer term, as we head towards Christmas and the festive season.
Events available for booking are below. Keep checking derbymarketplace.co.uk for further announcements.
Saturday 3rd October: Unplugged Session
In partnership with Rattle & Drum Music
6pm – 10pm.
Doors 6pm
On stage 6.30pm – 7pm, 7.30pm – 8.30pm, 9pm – 10pm.
£20 per table (up to 6 people)
As Rattle & Drum Music approach their 20th Birthday celebration next year, they are excited to partner with Derby LIVE & Derby Market Place to provide an evening of live music showcasing the talent of local Derby musicians.
Book a table. Order in. Chill out and enjoy the music.
The line-up of local artists will be revealed soon.
Sunday 4th October: Sunday Sessions
Open mic
Afternoon session: 12 noon – 4pm
Evening session: 5pm – 9pm
£15 per table per session (up to 6 people) or £25 for both sessions.
(Please note if you are attending both sessions, you will be asked to temporarily vacate your table at the end of the afternoon session to enable cleaning to take place ready for the evening.)
Sunday Sessions is an all-encompassing open mic hosted by Derby based singer/songwriter Emma Buckley. Born at The Dog & Moon on Sadler Gate in 2018, Sunday Sessions was voted Derby’s best open mic and fast became a popular hub for live music, providing a platform for some of the City’s best loved local talent. It’s grown to attract musicians from all over world and after a series of weekly online lockdown sessions, it’s back in the flesh for a one off, full day event at Derby Market Place. We’re beyond excited to welcome back some of the City’s most sought after musicians to showcase their finest acoustic material at this unique event.
Book a table. Order in. Chill out and enjoy the music.
Friday 9th October: Caribbean Session
Featuring Emccan
6pm – 9pm
Doors 6pm
Steel Band on stage 7pm – 7.30pm
Parade 7.30pm – 8pm
Steel band on stage 8pm – 8.30pm
£20 per table (up to 6 people)
Be wowed by simply stunning Caribbean Carnival costumes from around the East Midlands with this illuminated costume display, accompanied by steel pan Calypso and Soca music.
Book a table. Order in. Chill out and enjoy the display.
Emccan is a partnership of four Caribbean Carnivals in Derby, Nottingham, Leicester and Northampton, funded by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation. The organisation has recently moved its’ HQ office to Derby QUAD at “The Green Room”.
Saturday 10th October: Jazz Session
Loosen Up featuring Derby Jazz
6pm – 9:30pm
Doors 6pm
On stage 7.30pm – 8.15pm and 8.45pm – 9.30pm
£20 per table (up to 6 people)
“Joy is the message” Dennis Rollins MBE
The fabulously funky Loosen Up is an eleven piece acoustic street band, produced by Derby Jazz during the lockdown. It was created to both raise the spirits of people in Derby and to create paid work for some of the East Midlands best jazz musicians.
Dennis Rollins was commissioned to write new music and direct the band and briefed to “bring joy to the people of Derby”.
Well known on the UK and international jazz scenes for his versatility and muscular approach to the trombone, Dennis has worked with Courtney Pine, Baba Maal, Jamiroquai, US3, Brand New Heavies, Blur and the legendary Maceo Parker Band.
The ten other members of the band (two trumpets, two trombones, three saxophones, a sousaphone and two drummers) have between them toured with The Specials, The Beautiful South, circus bands, and directed the Matthew Herbert Big Band in the worlds’ leading concert halls.
Let the slightly better times roll!
Thursday 15th October to Sunday 18th October: The Beer Sessions
Thursday: 12 noon – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Friday: 12 noon – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Saturday: 12 noon – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sunday: 12 noon – 5pm
Thursday, Friday and Sunday day session and Thursday evening session: £10 per table (up to 6)
Friday and Saturday evening session: £15 per table (up to 6)
Travel gurus at Lonely Planet describe Derby as the “best place to drink real ale in the world” so why not find out at The Beer Sessions?
Offering a great selection of the best real ales from microbreweries in the local area, guests will be able to sample some new flavours in this celebration of Derby beer.
There will also be cider, gin, wine and prosecco and customers will also be able to order in from their favourite Derby café or restaurant to enjoy a meal alongside their tipple of choice with Derby Market Place’s Alfresco dining.
Drinks tokens can be purchased in advance for £1.75 per half pint.
For 1 pint, a glass of wine, prosecco or gin and mixer, two tokens will be required.
Book a table. Raise a glass & order in for a session of fabulous food and drink.
18+ only. Challenge 25 will be in operation so ID will be needed for entry.
Saturday 7th November: Vegan Market
10:30am – 4pm
Free entry. Please note there will be a limit on numbers attending at any one time.
The Derby Vegan Market will return to Derby Market Place this November, featuring up to 40 stalls selling a variety of vegan fast food, healthy eats, artisan savouries, sweet bakes, craft cheeses, handmade cosmetics, ethical clothing, locally made arts and crafts and charity stalls.
www.veganmarkets.co.uk
Facebook – @VeganMarketsUK
Instagram – @VeganMarketsUK