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An explosion of art and culture across Southport

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The Southport Festival is bringing an explosion of art & culture to Southport across the weekend 6-8 May.

Conceptualised and run by Sefton Council and Southport BID, the festival celebrates the creativity and art in our region.  The inaugural Southport Festival aims to fill the streets of Southport with colour, music & literature and boasts many acts spanning different arts, and aimed at every generation and taste. There is a huge and varied programme of events encompassing all the arts – from fine art & photography, to comedy, rock music to chainsaw carvings, literature and poetry!

There are some spectacular headline events, the crowning jewel of which, is the breath-taking Audio Sonic Vision, brought to England for the first time by Liverpool’s Jellyfishmoon project.  Set in a dome structure in Town Hall Gardens, it is an immersive projection of geometric images to a soundtrack created by the Constellation Collective.

The streets will be filled with colour as street artists uncover the hidden legends of what may be hidden underneath Neville Street with awe inspiring 3D art. Some of the country’s leading cartoonists will create giant canvases, depicting Southport scenes and artist Sarah Jane Richardson will create a giant drawing on the beach, with the help of visitors!

Poetry is represented in the form of two of the Nation’s most notable modern day poets, Simon Armitage and tony Harrison.  diverse events that headlines a programme packed full of art, music, literature and poetry. Simon Armitage is one of the nation’s best loved, and best known, poets of his generation and has published more than a dozen collections of poetry in his 25-year career.  From West Yorkshire, Armitage has received numerous awards for his poetry, including the Ivor Novello.

Immerse yourself in literature with three unique productions; Catherine Wheels Theatre company presents ‘The Story of the Little Gentleman’, see Noel Cowards ‘Tonight at 8:30’ and a stunning performance of Dylan Thomas’ ‘Under Milk Wood’ at The Atkinson

Music lovers have a tantalising array of acts to choose from, in some of Southport’s best venues.  There is blues, rock, jazz, big band and folk represented by some of the top acts in the genres. The Atrium at the Atkinson hosts an afternoon of free music from some unique, and brilliant bands.

Comedian Mark Watson brings his critically acclaimed new tour to the festival, and our very own Brendan Riley, the force behind Southport’s popular comedy festival, hosts a night of belly laughs on the Sunday.

Southport BID Manager Andrew Sloman says the inaugural festival is a brilliant new addition to an already packed calendar of events for Southport, and one believes will just grow and grow.

“We were inspired by festivals such as Edinburgh Fringe, and our aim has been to create an arts festival that really engages and excites all generations, and brings vibrancy to the town centre.  We are thrilled with the calibre of acts we have attracted in this our first year, it’s a real achievement.  The support we have had from partners like the Southport Contemporary Arts and lots of local businesses has been phenomenal”

The festival also encompasses, the annual Arts Trail and sees the return of Carve up the Coast. For more details and to see the full programme of events, visit www.southportfestival.com

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