City Festival - #summerinthecity
This August Bank Holiday weekend Leicester City Council invites everyone to join them for the grand finale of Summer In The City, which is described as being “an outdoor spectacle on an epic scale”.
This year as well as a full weekend of awe-inspiring live entertainment attendees can expect to see street theatre, dance art, music and sport. The highlight of the festival however will be the journey of STORM – a folklore giant come to life. This magnificent spectacle stands at ten metres tall and is an homage to a goddess of the seas, it is the largest puppet in the UK and it makes it’s debut appearance in England at Leicester City Festival.
The running time for both days of events are as follows:
Saturday 27 August 12noon – 5pm
On Saturday 27th August at midday the starting point for the STORM puppet is Town Hall Square, you can expect to see flash mob style performances accompanying her on her route and this will be followed by the exotic samba rhythms of Leicester’s Sambando expected to take place at the Clock Tower at around 2.30pm. STORM’s journey ends on Saturday with a highly anticipated performance by Studio 79 on Jubilee Square at 3:55pm.
In Jubilee Square itself there are a few installations that are there to entice and engage spectators regardless of age. ‘The Bees’ is an engaging installation consisting of multi-sensory hives, each are said to hide different individual, surprising internal world that will entertain and inspire. The Bees will be open at 12pm, 2pm & 4pm.
An interactive aquatic puppetry workshop has been created to help visitors explore the beauty of the oceans and bring the story of this underwater world to life. The exhibition has been curated by Enter Edem and it titled Plankton.
Focus Free, art activities & games design your own communal banner, make a green pledge and join in with family games.
Over at Humberstone Gate you can immerse yourself inside ‘The Whale’ where you’ll get the opportunity to step inside a giant silver whale and experience an fully immersive mini show aimed at fearless sailors of all ages. The Whale will be accessible at 11am – 1.30pm & 2.30 – 5pm.
Ever wondered what a giant inflatable Octopus that curls and sways its way through the city streets would look like? Well wonder no more as Ocho will be at Humberstone Gate at 12.30pm, 3pm & 4.30pm.
Sunday 28 August 12noon – 4.30pm
Sunday will welcome STORM back to the festivities however the starting point will be at The Circle (Mattioli Woods Building) at midday. Sending STORM on her journey around Leicester on the Sunday will be Leicester Taiko, who will be bringing an oriental twist to the day with Japanese drumming where the thunder from the drumming and the clap of the Bachi set will set the perfect scene for the procession.
Nupur Arts leads STORM to the farewell finale with a parade of ocean friends, showcasing Indian Classical, Bollywood and Indian Folk dance performances at the Clock Tower 1.15pm.
Over at the Clock Tower between the hours of 12.00 and 4.00pm you will be able to experience The Mayfly, truly a sight to behold showcasing a wonderful fusion of water, dance and song. Water effects and leaping fountains are expected to set the stage and really bring the display to life. After the first performance attendees will be able to take part in an interactive workshop to get a better insight from those involved in the creation process.
If you’re in the High Street on Sunday afternoon you will see The Bewonderment Machine, a miniature theatrical flight of the imagination, combining puppetry, machinery, hand carved wooden animal and music on a cycle-powered carousel. Whilst A Sweep of Swallows will paint the city skies with colour, movement, and the sweet sound of birdsong. Opening times are midday, 2.00pm & 4pm.
Download the City Festival Trail Map here
If you’re visiting the city for the Festival and need somewhere to stay Holiday Inn Leicester Wigston has a lovely selection of rooms and customisable amenities for you to choose from to give you the best experience possible. Check out our website or give us a call to make your booking now.
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