Sowerby Bridge Arts Fesitval
Sunday, 1 December 2013
Sowerby Bridge is not a town one naturally thinks of as having a vibrant and artistic scene. However, back in 1839, the town hosted an Arts & Science exhibition that attracted over 29,000 visitors! There has been a wealth of talented people inhabiting the town and surrounding area ever since, but there has been no central focus. Certainly in recent years, it has been a disparate community and a chaotic and sparse range of events.
In the summer of 2013, musician and writer Isolde Davey was moved to attempt to link the artistic community by forming the artSBridge group. With an overwhelmingly positive response, the group quickly became established, moving their focus from simply supporting, to also promoting arts in the town. They aim to put on a range of events that will bring together the community and to provide a range of artistic and creative events for everyone to enjoy.
The group are putting on their first community arts festival 7-14th December this year. Their ambitious programme will include:
- A fine arts & crafts market on the evening of the 7th, with various entertainment and creative projects and workshops involving the public
- A range of exhibitions, an arts trail through the shops, art in unusual spaces & more
- Various bands & musicians in a range of venues across the town - including The Domsday Apes, Didikai and The Isolde Chord (feautiring the musical saw!)
- Events and workshops for everyone, from the youngest to the oldest
- Children's art, poetry & photography competitions
- Spoken word & theatre events, including an evening Deli Belge cafe, Wharf St, with local authors Jean Illingworth, Matthew Turner and Brian Kinlan being interviewed infront of a live audience by local poet Simon Zonenblick
- Local history events and displays
- A film evening
- Involvement of churches, schools & existing community groups
Co-ordinator Isolde says, "There is plenty of opportunity for you to get involved. From joining in family workshops, to retaining your Movember moustache for our 'Santa Makeover Competition'; from attending gigs, to buying unusual, unique gifts from our evening market; from sending your reviews to our blog to exploring our local history displays.
"Please check our website, Facebook and Twitter pages to stay up to date. When we release our programme, be sure to make a list of everything you'd like to join in with and don't forget to bring your friends along!"
Full details of the children's competitions are available at www.artsbridge.org.uk under Resources.