Henley Festival Henley Festival The Henley Festival of Music and the Arts is held, at Henley on Thames, each July, on the Berkshire bank of the River Thames, at the same spot and using adapted facilities from the Henley Royal Regatta, which is held the week before. The main stage floats on the river and the audience use one of the grandstands. Each evening it normally features a light classical music concert, with jazz later in the evening. There are other smaller stages, art exhibits, roving performers, outdoor restaurants, etc. Performers during 7–11 July 2010 include Nigel Kennedy, Bryn Terfel and Will
Head of the Charles Regatta the captain of the University of Pennsylvania's lightweight varsity three seasons earlier. They initially had little hope the regatta would be a success, it was the wrong time of year and it wasn't expected to draw any spectators. Harvard University sculling instructor Ernest Arlett provided the idea for the head race. George Ernest Arlett came to the US because in England only "gentlemen" could race. Even when Arlett brought Northeastern University's rowing team to Henley Royal Regatta and the team members were invited, the team entered by the front door and Mr. Arlett still had to enter by the rear