Following last year's success, musicians, artists, workshops and more have already been booked for a second St Denys Urban Arts Festival.
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But organisers say there’s still time for local artists, acts and community groups to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and get involved in the three-day celebration of local art and culture which takes place from September 9 - 11, again at St Denys Church and Centre on Dundee Road.
Co-ordinator Helen Trimarco-Ransome, right, said: “Things are coming along, with 30 bands and musicians, graffiti artists, dance and drama productions, workshops, outdoor projections and much more already booked up.
“Last year’s event was a great success. It provided many local artists with a platform not only for a celebration of art, but also a promotional and sales outlet. Many of last year’s artists have reported that their careers have had a boost since the exposure they received.
‘huge outdoor projections onto the church’s external elevations, skate boarding, a variety of craft workshops including slate carving and willow workshops...’
“This year there will be new artists and bands.... We have an exciting performance of ‘Frida Kahlo’ by the Spanish Mexican dance theatre company Todoart13, who premiered this moving performance of Frida’s dramatic life in LA in January this year and will be performing for the first time in English on the Saturday (Sept 10).
“This will be followed by our very own OddBox theatre company, performing a short dramatisation of ‘Nevermore’, an original piece based on The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe. We also have more huge outdoor projections up onto the church’s external elevations, skate boarding, a variety of craft workshops including slate carving and willow workshops.
Dangerous Ideas
“We will be hosting Dangerous Ideas ‘In Conversation’, discussing issues around the city’s art culture and how to make it better for artists.”
The festival will again be working with local schools through arts and drama workshops. And as a summer holiday project, pupils are being asked to design a St Denys Community-themed stained glass window for a competition.
“Once the winning design has been chosen during the event, we will donate the stained glass window to the school for their reception area,” said Helen. “This is something that we will be looking to do each year, donating art to the community and funding art projects in the city.”
The event again coincides with the National Heritage day, and local tours are again planned, with information about St Denys and surrounding areas from local historians forming part of the festival. Last year we recorded the St Denys Heritage Trail for the website, and you can still hear it here.
Any local acts, or artists who would like the chance to exhibit “without being charged huge commissions”, are invited to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or via Facebook.
Previously
Audio: Take a tour of historic St Denys
Audio: What to expect at this week's arts exhibition - Helen Trimarco-Ransome talking about last year's event
Audio: Catch up with Southampton’s cultural conversation - recording from recent Dangerous Ideas event