Mon 22 Jul 2024 - Appetite

Born to Protest

Born to Protest is a deliberately challenging piece of dance that asks the audience to question their own assumptions about the black male and female figure.

The unfolding story explores ideas of intimidation and isolation, but also fragility, vulnerability and a constant battle to prove oneself.

The cast perform to an energetic soundtrack with Hip Hop beats and voice over, creating a powerful performance that will stay with you long after the applause ends.

Born to Protest is Choreographer Joseph’s Toonga’s first outdoor work for his company @justusdancetheatre and is part of a Hip Hop dance theatre trilogy called Born to Manifest.

Guidance

The performance deals with issues of racism and violence which may be more suitable for those aged 12+. There is a trigger warning for monkey chanting, which is loud, and also for the use of ‘gun fingers’ as part of the choreography.

Access

The performance is mainly dance, however there is music and sound that forms part of the narrative to the piece, and the dancers also speak at points. Both performances are Audio Described.

Where to see it

See Born to Protest outside the Old Town Hall (map point 9) on Friday at 1.30pm (AD) & 4.30pm (AD). Performances last 30 minutes.

Credits

Choreographer: Joseph Toonga

Music: Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante

Images: Nuria Boleda & Jean Phillipse

Born to Protest is a Stomping Ground commission which is an initiative of The Place, DanceEast, DanceXchange and Greenwich & Docklands International Festival. The work is also supported by Redbridge Drama Centre and the Arts Council England.

Out of the Box

Think Mr Bean with TikTok trick shots (try saying that three times quickly …)

Out of the Box is a Family friendly comedy show of clowning, world-class juggling, contagious laughs, and a show-stopping finale starring a toothbrush.

Without a single word spoken, everyone is invited into a world where puppetry, magic and everyday objects become a celebration of art and imagination. Where adults rediscover their silliness and where audience members become the stars of the show.

By turns impossible and implausible, this family friendly show will leave you feeling like you’ve just witnessed the underdog substitute score the winning goal.

Drawing from personal experiences of neurodiversity, Darryl Carrington gently guides audience through a celebration of our differences, similarities and how – through playfulness – we can find a common space between the two and break down the boundaries that divide us.

Access

This show is non-verbal making it accessible for d/Deaf audiences, and for visitors who may not use English as a first language.

Where to see it

Performances: You can see Out of the Box outside the Old Town Hall (map point 9) on Friday at 1pm & 3.45pm. Performances are 20 minutes.

Workshop: Join the workshop on Friday, 11 – 11.40am at the Piccadilly Stage (map point 5).

Credits

Images by Pullen

The Journey

Prepare to embark on a journey. Let’s weave and howl. Let each movement tell a story.

Let’s come together and celebrate the power of community, of daring to build extraordinary things…

Award-winning experimental brass band Perhaps Contraption will be leading the way.

Expect a curious, jubilant parade, replete with intricate rhythms, expressive motions, and a healthy dose of hope.

Perhaps Contraption are a genre-defying, multi award-winning experimental brass band – passionate and unique – fusing art pop, avant-rock and post-minimalism. Replete with irregular rhythms, enormous choral harmonies and triumphant horns.

“Completely extraordinary” – BBC 6 Music

“A beguiling, euphoric blast of energy.” The Scotsman

Access

The Journey is based around music, however one member of the band is a BSL interpreter and so the performance is accessible for d/Deaf visitors.

See below for times of audio described (AD) and British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted shows.

Where to see it

You can see The Journey on both Friday and Saturday. The Journey is walkabout act that begins in one spot and travels through town before settling somewhere else for a static performance.

Friday 11am: City Centre Bus Station (map point 8) – Old Town Hall – Tontine Street – Blue Clock (BSL)

Friday 2pm: Piccadilly Stage (map point 5) – Fountain Square – Parliament Square (BSL and AD)

Saturday 11am: City Centre Bus Station (map point 8) – Old Town Hall – Tontine Street – Blue Clock (BSL)

Saturday 2.05pm: Old Town Hall map point 9) – Albion Street – Spitfire Gallery – Smithfield (BSL)

Credits

Perhaps Contraption are supported by Without Walls and commissioned by Stockton International Riverside Festival, Timber Festival and Brighton Festival.

Music: ‘Draining Refrain’ by Perhaps Contraption from the album Mud Belief

Images: Rah Petherbridge Art & Photography

TRUTH!

The rebellion arrive – full of hope, fiercely comic, and on a mission to disrupt the public norm. A curious excitement bubbles …

Outdoor arts anarchists Ramshacklicious and inclusive theatre makers Hijinx Theatre are coming to show you the TRUTH! and unite the people in a joyful riot of love!

TRUTH! is a gentle call to action. Join in with the unfurling games, re-awaken a sense of togetherness, and ask yourself: Is it time for you to be set free?

TRUTH! features 5 performers, some of whom have a learning disability and/or autism. Join our ensemble of playful performers as they create a unique, inclusive and partly improvised outdoor theatrical happening.

Guidance

For the most part, TRUTH! Is a gentle performance. However at the end, orange smoke and confetti are released.

Access

See below for times of audio described (AD) shows.

Where to see it

See TRUTH! on both Friday and Saturday in Fountain Square (map location 3).

Friday: 12.30pm and 3.30pm (AD)

Saturday: 12.30pm (AD)and 3.30pm (AD)

Performances are 40 minutes.

Credits

Out There Arts

Circus Raj

Get ready for an Indian summer at The Big Feast!

Circus Raj – some of Rajasthan’s most elite street circus performers – are arriving in Stoke to amaze you with breathtaking acts of skill and bravery! This vibrant, fast-moving extravaganza will astound you with acrobatic feats of daring, eye-watering displays by a fakir, plus plenty of music, magic and surprise.

This vibrant and dramatic show from Access All Areas is sure to be a (Big) Feast for the senses like you’ve never seen before.

Guidance

The Juggler uses theatrical knives and swords that have been blunted.

Access

There are deckchairs and blankets available to use while you enjoy the show, which are first come, first served.

See below for times of audio described (AD) show times.

Where to see it

Experience Circus Raj on both Friday and Saturday at Smithfield (map point 13).

Friday: 12.45pm and 3.45pm (AD)

Saturday: 11am and 1.20pm

Performances are 45 minutes.

Palais de Danse

Well I can mash potato, well I can do the twist…

Palais de Danse is bringing the sights, sounds, smell and feel of dance halls to The Big Feast 2024. It’s a multi-sensory flashback (with a modern ‘Twist’) to a night out in late-1950s Britain.

With teenage rituals, sugared petticoats and powder puffs, caddish fellows, dancing the ‘Pony’ and girls breaking the ballroom rules, this ballroom blitz is feel-good fun suitable for all ages.

Access

See below for times of audio described (AD) and British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted shows.

Listen to the Audio Flyer for a small taste of what to expect

Listen to the Audio Introduction

Check out the Easy Read

Where to see it

You can see Palais de Danse on Saturday outside the City Centre Bus Station (map point 8) at 11.45am (AD) and 3pm (BSL). Each performance is 30 minutes.

Credits

With thanks to Swiss Cultural Fund UK, Colchester Arts Centre, Certain Blacks, 101 Outdoor Arts, Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants.

Family Catwalk Extravaganza

Bring your Glamour, Glitz and Grace and come together in a fabulous celebration of self-expression by Ghetto Fabulous.

Four dancers go head to head in a dance, fashion and lip sync competition, where YOU, the audience decides the winner by clapping, stamping and making the most noise for your favourite. Whether you just want to join in the fun or have a passion to pose, come along and show off your own magnificence by dressing up and helping crown the winner!

Dress your finest, learn the moves – then take to the floor…

Access

See below for times of audio described (AD) and British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted shows.

There will be benches available at this performance.

The performance will be loud, there will be ear defenders available. Please ask a volunteer or member of staff.

Where to see it

The Family Catwalk Extravaganza shows and voguing workshops are happening in Old Town Hall (map point 9) outside B&M. Performance are 35 minutes long, and workshops are 15 minutes.

Friday

Performances: 11.45pm (AD) and 3.05pm (BSL)

Workshop: 4.15pm at Fountain Square

Saturday

Performances: 11.30am and 1.30pm (BSL & AD)

Workshop: 1pm

Credits

Images: David Oakes

KiLNE

KiLNE is a contemporary nu-marching band made up of equal parts brass and drums, with a military inspired look and a mission to spread positivity and inclusiveness through the joy of electronic music.

It was formed in Stoke-on-Trent in 2023 by professional musicians Danny Shaw and Ben Oakes.

Where to see it

See the performance on Friday at Fountain Square (map point 3) from 3pm to 3.15pm.

The Miner Birds

Three actors breathe life into these intimate, authentic, humorous and powerful intertwined monologues* based on interviews with Rose Hunter chair of North Staffs Miners Wives Action Group. They celebrate the single-minded and unique voices of women who rallied together during the miners strike and their determination to continue fighting for their communities – a fight which continues today.

*What is a monologue? A monologue is a word often used in theatre to describe a speech delivered by a character alone, often to the audience or another character onstage.

Miner Bird Monologues is a new piece of dramatic writing by Lisa Blower an award-winning writer and academic hailed by Kit De Waal as the ‘natural heir to Arnold Bennett’.

Access

There is no set time for performances – just drop by!

Where to see it

See the performances on Friday and Saturday at Crown Bank (map point 4) from 11am to 1.30pm, and 2.30pm to 5pm.

Infinity Knot

Learn how to tie an infinity knot whilst thinking about someone or something you are connected to always, then carefully package it up to keep. If you’d like, you can also record the tying of your knot in a special dedications book for all to see.

Drop-in anytime to try out this simple but meaningful activity – both a reflective ritual and gentle challenge for your head, heart and hands. Who or what will you tie your infinity knot for?

Knot – a complex symbol embracing several important meanings all of which are related to the central idea of a tightly closed link.

– A Dictionary of Symbols, J.E Cirlot

How does the activity work?

You will be asked take a seat at the table and to think about who or what they you are tying your knot for. You can then either follow a demonstration video or are shown how to tie the knot in person by Sheila.  The knot is then carefully packaged up and the person who has tied the knot is able to take it away and keep it or pass it on as a gift. Those tying a knot are also invited to record the tying of it in a dedication book for others to see.

Access

There is seating available at this activity.

Where to see it

Create your Infinity Knot on both days at Airspace Gallery (map point 12)

Friday: 12pm to 1.30pm, and 2.30pm to 5pm

Saturday: 11am to 1.30pm, and 2.30pm to 4pm

Credits

Conceived of, produced and made by Sheila Ghelani. Images by Sheila Ghelani

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