Tameside’s biggest ever celebration of the arts starts next week

Date published: 01 July 2010

The Tameside Arts Festival, organised by Tameside Arts Network and supported by the council’s theatre arts working group, is the first ever festival of its kind in Tameside and will showcase over 150 events over eight days starting on Sunday July 11.

As well as providing a welcome platform for local artists to show their talent, the festival will also give people an opportunity to sample some of the great activities on offer in the borough.

With a wide variety of performances, workshops and classes, the festival has something for everyone, with music, dance, theatre and visual arts events.

Tameside’s Civic Mayor Councillor Jean Brazil, will be joining the festival on Tuesday July 13, as she takes to the water for the ‘Art on the water’ event, where local artists will create portraits of the Mayor whilst touring the local canals on board a narrow boat.

And there is still chance for other local artists to join the Mayor on this boat trip, interested artists should contact Vanessa Rothwell, theatre arts officer on 0161 342 4144.

Local school children and other community groups are also taking part in this event which will culminate in a small exhibition to celebrate the festival achievements.

Highlighted events for the week include a performance from Tameside Festival Chorus at Albion Church in Ashton, a Lancashire Folk Evening at the Grafton Centre in Hyde, Mexico-Manchester Fiesta at Bayley Hall, Hyde Park, ‘O What a lovely War’ at Guide Bridge Theatre and an Open Studio event at Woodend Mill in Mossley.

Most of the events are free of charge, but some come with a small charge and need to be booked.

Tameside’s lead councillor for music, culture and performing arts, Councillor John Sullivan said: “The Tameside Arts Festival will be a great celebration of arts across the borough, it will not only showcase some of our great home-grown talent, but will also give Tameside residents who haven’t necessarily been involved in the arts before the chance to come along and have a taste of what’s on offer and hopefully find a new hobby or interest.

“It’s also really important to remember the generous support given to the festival by voluntary groups and individuals from across the borough, who have been instrumental in providing venues and skills to help make the festival a huge success.”

Full programme of events