Published Thursday 5 April 2018 at 11:04
International circus company Vaiven Circo Danza are set to perform their acclaimed ‘Do Not Disturb’ street show for the first time outside London when they visit Blackburn next month.
Piece-by-piece, the performers of Spanish circus company, Vaiven Circo Danza will take the audience back to the early 20th century, evoking a day’s work in a factory for a show-stopping performance.
As part of the exciting line-up, there will be a recording studio in the town centre, providing the expertise for people of all ages to find their inner pop star, DJ or producer. London’s Urban Art Experience will be in Blackburn to engage young people with music writing, recording, DJ-ing and performance technique.
Taking place for a second year in Blackburn, between Saturday, May 12 to Sunday, May 13 2018, the festival aims to make Blackburn the national capital of making, in a place where 25% of the population is employed in making and manufacturing.
The FREE to attend, two-day event flooded the town with over 30,000 visitors from far and wide in 2017, wowing crowds with a variety of street performances, music and opportunities for people to get hands-on, feel inspired and find their own gift for creativity.
From textiles to terracotta, it aims to bring a sense of celebration to the town’s streets and raise national and international awareness of UK making and inspire others to consider their own talents and aspirations.
Influential designer Wayne Hemingway MBE is among the organisers of the festival celebrating manufacturing, art and design.
Lauren Zawadzki, Co-Founder of The National Festival of Making, said:
The festival atmosphere will be lifted once again by the arrival of our street performances and an event as unforgettable as ‘Do Not Disturb’, from a renowned, international circus company, will inspire, amaze and make happy memories for everyone coming along.
It’s a priority for the festival to provide hands-on experience as well as entertainment, something that The Urban Art Experience and More Music share with us.
The range of performance events confirmed to take place at The National Festival of Making, with many exhibitions, workshops, markets and talks still to be announced, is as follows:
- Vaiven Circo Danza – DO NOT DISTURB: A vibrant, unmissable and FREE street performance that brings the ingenuity of making dramatically to life. Do Not Disturb takes festival goers back to the early 20th century, evoking a day’s work in a factory. Performed for the very first time outside London, Spanish circus company, Vaiven Circo Danza, perform this high energy, poetic show, combining dance, acrobatics and physical theatre with contemporary circus tricks on each day of the festival.
- The Urban Arts Experience – Make a track, make a move, make a story or make a mix in workshops provided by music industry experts including published author and award-winning poet MC Angel, scratch master DJ Shorty and Mister Lees. Learn to lay down a beat inside their on-board studio, establish some new moves with breakdancing tutors and learn what it takes to be a superstar DJ. All housed in a single-decker Outreach Media Bus, the workshops create a safe space for people to listen, feel and create, exploring hidden talents and uncovering new passions.
- MAKE IT UP! – A brand new on street show created and performed by over 40 young musicians of Blackburn. The 25-minute performance tells a story of place, of life growing up in different diverse communities across Blackburn and of celebrating heritage. They will perform their own songs, accompanied by soon-to-be-named inspirational, professional musician of international acclaim. The project lives on after the weekend’s events, with additional mini-performances taking place in partnership with community centres and the local music hub.
There will also be new specially commissioned pieces of art displayed around the borough, a makers Market in King George’s Hall, street food traders, craft drink producers and much more.
For updates about the festival programme and information on how to get involved and for volunteering opportunities visit www.festivalofmaking.co.uk and sign up to the mailing list.
News and opportunities will also be posted on social media at:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/festofmaking
Facebook: www.facebook.com/festofmaking
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thefestivalofmaking
The National Festival of Making and Art in Manufacturing recently announced funding from Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery Fund. Further support is provided by Super Slow Way, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and a range of private sponsors.