Colour, magic and community are the themes of this year’s Romsey Art Festival – East Cambridge’s only festival of the arts.
From its beginnings in Romsey Town, the annual Festival is expanding for 2015, embracing Petersfield, Abbey and Coleridge’s communities for its new programme, Eastside Creates.
From 5 September until 10 October, expect to find a range of events taking place, including children’s art, discussions and even an Enchanted Tea Dance.
“Art space plays a vital role in giving back to the surrounding community and making art accessible to those who may normally miss it. The new programme, Eastside Creates, includes more activity in Abbey, where Cambridge Art Salon’s new studios are now,” says creative director of Cambridge Art Salon, Ruthie Collins. “We started in Romsey Town as an arts space, so there’s still heaps happening there, plus the whole Mill Road area, too,” she adds. “And watch out for the pink herons!”
Don’t miss…
Baby Rave, 6 September: Having a family doesn’t mean leaving your dancing days behind you… Cambridge Junction hosts this first-ever daytime ‘club’ event for parents with babies, toddlers and young children (0-6 recommended). Dance to festival vibes with your family. Produced by the team behind the Camden Baby Rave.
Barnwell Art Café, 5 SEptember: A festival edition of the regular Saturday morning arts workshop at the Baptist Church.
Mineheart in Retrospect, 5-17 September: As part of the exhibition of work from local design gurus Mineheart, Espresso Library are also running a photography competition on Instagram (5-13 September).
Manuela Hübner, 5-19 september: An exhibition of mixed-media works inspired by randomness, combining collage, spray-painting and painting, at The Geldart pub.
Quartet in Colour, 5-19 September: An exhibition of photographs by the celebrated Indian photographer Mala Mukerjee, at The Six Bells. All profits go to support the NSPCC, Cambridgeshire.
Funki, 19 September: Sing like Sam Smith! Dance like Kylie Minogue! Act like Tom Hiddleston! Funki is a one-day event at Covent Garden Drama Centre of workshops followed by a performance at the end of the day.
We Are All Beautiful, 9 October: A fashion show opposed to body fascism, hosted by Rebel Arts using upcycled and recycled textiles, with students from King’s Hedges. At Bharat Bhavan, Mill Road.
An Enchanted Tea Dance, 10 October: Artwork from children and families will decorate the venue, celebrating pearls of wisdom passed down through generations. With live music, dance and a pop-up café, this event also marks the launch of the nationwide BBC Get Creative Family Arts Festival. At Ditchburn Place.
Throughout the festival…
Pink Heron Spotting: This year’s festival mascot creator, the city’s anonymous street artist Heron Heron, will be placing pink herons in unusual locations in Romsey Town, Petersfield and Abbey.
Sofar Sounds: Bringing live music to a living room near you, the phenomenon that was so popular during last year’s festival is back with secret gigs.
Five Treasure Keys of Barnwell: Explore Barnwell and Abbey in this fun, inspiring game for all ages. Discover fascinating facts about the neighbourhoods and win prizes.
