Jazz takes centre stage at the start of the third week of the 16th International Maidstone Music and Dance Festival.

Free performances of everything from traditional to modern jazz styles will take place on Saturday between 10am and 4pm .

The day will be officially opened by Maidstone artist, Graham Clark, at 10.15am. Locations for jazz include Gabriels Hill, outside Maidstone Town Hall and the Hazlitt Arts Centre, Earl Street, Week Street and the Royal Star Arcade.

This week also sees the traditional festival mix of free lunchtime concerts, plus larger, ticketed events.

Continuing with the jazz theme on Sunday, a free concert featuring the Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra takes place at Brenchley Gardens bandstand, from 3-4pm.

On Sunday evening Sutton Valence Choral Society present an evening of light opera and Oratorio extracts in the chapel of Sutton Valence School, Sutton Valence, at 7.30pm. Tickets, £10, available on the door, or by calling 01622 853791, in advance.

A free piano concert takes place on Wednesday (July 2), at United Reformed Church, Week Street, at 1pm.

A feature of this year’s festival are performances from the Decin Choir from the Czech Republic.

The first takes place on Thursday,July 3, in another free concert at All Saints’ Church, Mill Street, Maidstone at 1.05pm. People are welcome to bring their own lunch to the concert.

Finally, on Friday, July 4, continuing the festival’s international flavour, Pete’s Corner Big Band from Holland will play at St Nicholas Church, Poplar Grove, Allington, at 7.45pm.

It is the third time the band have visited Maidstone.