Expect quirky street theatre, wonky games, eclectic displays and hidden heroes in Yorkshire this month, at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire.
The Saltaire Festival is an annual community arts and culture festival with exhibitions, pop up events, children’s activities, live music and performances.
The heritage of this Victorian mill village will be represented in many of the events. Modern day textiles will be celebrated in the Weaving the Future exhibition; and multi-disciplinary performance, Yarns of Time, will feature poetry, music, movement and soundscapes to capture the essence of industrialisation and multiculturalism.
Eclectic entertainment will include French cabaret from Lucienne de Ville with guest musicians; and Balloonista Extraordinaire Margaret Graham, will bring stories of the daring divas of the skies. And watch out for a walkabout show with lifesize puppet Busy Lizzy, the ancient flower woman.
Follow a trail map around the Open Gardens and Yards, and take the opportunity to look at residents’ lovingly looked after small spaces. Along with the trail, there will be a host of pop up events in the village houses and gardens with anything from fossil displays to poems in bottles.
One of the festival’s quirky highlights will be the Wonky Olympics, with games such as the 50-yard scream, sock shot-put and space hopper relay to have a go at. And expect the unexpected from 400 Roses Day of Dance with the unique folk dance group performing exotic tribal dance moves.
There will be plenty for families and children to enjoy, with crafts and activities including the chance to follow in Marmalade, Oswald and Molly Moo‘s footsteps with a treasure map trail around Saltaire. Shipley Glen tramway will have a weaving theme during the festival and there will be creatures to spot, hidden in the trees.
Visitors can write a rap about reducing pollution, and try to win a prize, with Miss Connection. Meanwhile, Settle Stories will host a craft and story tent. Discover Saltaire’s Hidden Heroes and Heroines in an exhibition with family activities.
Music events will include a live performance from Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra, and an electronic disco, Flash Cassette. A photographic exhibition, Seven Months in 79 from Hot Rods to Buzzcocks, will feature iconic concert images by David Hunter.
In Roberts Park there’ll be an outdoor screening of Bohemian Rhapsody, and Saltaire Shakespeare in the Park will present The Tempest.
Other events will include the Saltaire Brewery Beer Festival, a Saltaire Inspired Makers Fair, Shipley Model Railway Society’s annual exhibition, a Vintage Home and Fashion Fair, a craft market, an organic produce show and charity stalls.
When: 13th – 22nd September 2019
Where: Saltaire, Shipley, Bradford, West Yorkshire
£: Ticket prices vary, depending on the event. Some events are free
More info: saltairefestival.co.uk
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