September is shaping up to be a gloriously mixed bag in Otley. We’ve got a 1940s singalong, a full weekend of folk, live jazz, tango, brass bands, homebrew, craft fairs, farmers’ markets and even a proper big-top circus rolling into town.

In other words, whether your idea of a good time involves dancing, browsing, singing, eating, drinking or watching someone do something alarming several metres above the ground, there should be something here for you.

Here’s what’s coming up in Otley this September.

Rat Pack hits with a side of great food

If you love the old Rat Pack classics, head to Tapas & Tunes on Friday, September 4, where Harry Orme will be playing a selection of old-school swing classics by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

A graduate of Leeds Conservatoire in 2021, Orme has gone on to work alongside Yorkshire composers, as well as showing a caring side to his work through workshops in SEND schools, and homes for people living with dementia.

At T&T, his smooth vocals will be accompanied by the usual fab menu offerings. Tickets are £6 and the show starts at 7pm.

Bob Dylan goes back to basics

If you fancy some classic Bob Dylan with no gimmicks or frills, that’s what you’ll get this Saturday at Otley Courthouse when Simply Dylan take to the stage on Saturday September 5.

Fronted by John O’Connell, the four-piece band delivers a tribute to Bob Dylan, celebrating the rich and diverse work of the award-winning artist.

Formed in 2011 ahead of Dylan’s 70th birthday, they’ve since opened the Isle of Wight Festival and headlined Liverpool’s Cavern Club six times.

Tea, tunes and a touch of the 1940s

Secret Garden Café is turning back the clock on Sunday, September 6, for its first 1940s Lunch and Singalong. From 12 noon to 3pm, guests can enjoy a three-course lunch and a drink before joining Holly ‘The Vintage Girl’ for a singalong featuring some of the best-loved songs of the 1940s.

The café will be getting a suitably vintage makeover for the occasion too, and anyone who fancies dressing up in 1940s style is very much encouraged to get involved. Tickets are £35, including a drink, three-course lunch and entertainment.

Something rather spectacular is rolling into town

The Great Yorkshire Circus is bringing the big top to Otley this month, setting up at Bridge End Cattle Market from Thursday, September 10 to Sunday, September 13.

This brand-new, all-human circus harks back to the golden age of the big top, with thrilling acrobatics, impressive skills, plenty of laughs, dazzling costumes and a good helping of traditional circus magic. So, if your week could do with a few more aerial acts and considerably more clowning, you know where to go.

Hit the dancefloor with Otley’s Mayor

Otley Mayor Mick Bradley is swapping civic duties for dance anthems on Saturday, September 12, with the first Mayor Mash-Up at Otley Common. The night will be taking things firmly back to the 1990s, with four hours of classic dance tunes from 6.30pm to 10.30pm — and it’s the first in a new series of themed DJ nights planned for every other month.

Better still, it’s all for a good cause, with proceeds supporting Otley 2030 and Music & Arts Project Leeds as well as Otley Common. Tickets are £10, with a supported rate of £6 available for anyone who’d appreciate a lower price.

Three days of folk, right across Otley

One of Otley’s longest-running festivals is back this month, as the 35th Otley Folk Festival takes over venues across town from Friday, September 18 to Sunday, September 20.

This year’s line-up includes Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies, Martin Simpson, John Spiers & Jackie Oates, Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones (pictured), Katie Spencer, Plumhall, Duncan McFarlane Band, Jon Palmer Acoustic Band and plenty more.

There’ll be everything from larger concerts at Otley Parish Church and Otley Common to more intimate performances, sessions and plenty of opportunities to join in yourself. Basically, if folk music is your thing, Otley is a pretty good place to be this month.

A taste of Buenos Aires comes to Otley

Argentinian tango and folk take over Otley Courthouse on Friday, September 18, as Martín Alvarado joins forces with Gerardo Villar Y Los Aguirre.

Widely regarded as one of Argentina’s finest tango voices, Buenos Aires-born Alvarado has performed around the world, bringing his own warmth and style to the music of his homeland. In Otley, he’ll be joined by the four-guitar line-up of Gerardo Villar Y Los Aguirre for a night spanning classic tango, Argentinian folk and original songs.

There’ll even be a tango DJ and space to dance before the show, with doors opening at 6.45pm ahead of an 8pm start. Tickets are £20.

Brass on home turf

Otley Brass Band are back at Otley Courthouse on Tuesday, September 22, for the latest in their popular At Home concerts.

The band have been part of the town’s musical life since 1973, performing everywhere from parks and carnivals to concerts and community events. This more intimate Courthouse show gives them the chance to bring that familiar warm brass sound indoors for an evening of music on home ground. The show starts at 8pm, with doors at 7.15pm, and tickets are £10.

From flamenco to heavy metal on one guitar

Classical guitarist and composer Jacob Harrison brings an eclectic mix of influences to Tapas & Tunes on Friday, September 25. A graduate of Leeds Conservatoire, Jacob’s music draws on everything from Renaissance lute music and Brazilian choro to flamenco, impressionism and, perhaps rather unexpectedly, heavy metal.

Expect a mix of classical pieces alongside some of Jacob’s own compositions, all served up with the usual Tapas & Tunes food and drink. The music starts at 7pm and tickets are £6.

Sunday morning, sorted

Otley Farmers’ Market is back in Market Place on Sunday, September 27, from 9am to 1pm. Expect a cracking mix of local food, drink, fresh produce and handmade goodies from producers who know exactly how to make “I’m just having a quick look” turn into three bags and no regrets. If you like shopping local and eating well, it’s a pretty decent way to spend a Saturday morning.

A better class of Sunday shopping

Otley Craft Fair is back at Otley Courthouse on Sunday, September 27, bringing together a lovely mix of handmade crafts, gifts and creations from local makers. Doors are open from 10am to 1pm, so you can have a leisurely browse, support some talented local people and quite possibly come away with something you had absolutely no intention of buying when you walked in. Which, frankly, is half the fun.

For more details of these and other events, see https://www.visitotley.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/