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VR Swings with Studio Go Go

“Remember swinging in the playground as a child? Enjoying sensations of speed & weightlessness as you swooped high & low, laughing with friends, hoping they didn’t spot that you were a little scared?

We’re harnessing those magical motion-memories to take audiences on incredible, action-packed adventures.”

Brendan Walker, Studio Go Go Founder & Director

Volo: Dreams of Flight by Studio Go Go

Fancy taking flight in one of four award-winning virtual da Vinci flying machines?

Flap and soar over cliffs as an Ornithopter bird-person. Join a psychedelic aviator’s ballet in Aerial Screw. Shoot into satellite orbit from a renaissance cannon. Bank and weave in a glider across extraterrestrial landscapes …

Studio Go Go have designed four amazing, other-worldly landscapes for you to fly through. All you need is a Virtual Reality (VR) headset and a swing and you can flap, soar and glide your way through those fantasy worlds like you’ve never imagined.

So come fly with Appetite, and Newcastle-under-Lyme BID. There’s no need to book, just drop by, take your place on a swing – including a platform swing suitable for wheelchair users – and start your virtual adventure!

When:

Friday 21 March: 10.30am-4.30pm

Saturday 22 March, 10am-4pm

Where: Outside Guildhall in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre

Cost: The event is totally free and there is no need to book

Access: There will be four swings, one of which is a platform swing suitable for wheelchair users. The combined weight limit for the visitor and chair is 200kg. However, there is a porter’s chair that you may transfer into if you are comfortable and able to do so.

Parking:

The nearest car park to Newcastle Common is Lymelight Boulevard, 27 Paradise Street, ST5 1RS. This is a multi-story pay-and-display car park with blue badge parking.

There are some options for street-level blue-badge parking within a short walk from the Guildhall:

Closest are two spaces outside Chatwin’s at the end of the High Street, a one-minute walk away
Very slightly further away, Corporation Street has some paid parking spaces, which are free to blue badge holders
There are also a few spaces opposite Queen’s Gardens at the bottom of Ironmarket
Another four free-to-use blue badge spaces are situated behind Patty’s on Barracks Road

Facilities:

The public toilets are s very short walk away on Hassell Street, and MacDonalds rest rooms are generally open to the public.

There is a Changing Places toilet in Castle House, a two-minute walk from the Guildhall in Queen’s Gardens.

Appetite works in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre in partnership with Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

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We Are Here

We Are Here – A Residency by Ian Mood

Over two months Ian Mood observed and sketched in independent pubs and cafes across Newcastle-under-Lyme. Those sketches have now been turned into We Are Here – paintings capturing, not only the people who worked and socialised there, but also the spirit, the feel, and the hustle and bustle. Or what Ian calls: “the vibrant new spaces and faces of our town.”

Ian’s previous residency for Appetite at Newcastle Common called Open Up was in 2021 at a time when the world look very different.

The paintings that emerged from that residency were paintings of scared figures – with an unsure future – as seen on Newcastle High Street. Ian says:

“Now to me the town feels very different; I’m hopeful for our future and I see people around me who feel the same. So I’m spending time painting in a few of my favourite venues including Mellards, Anasma (Greek Bakery), and Piccoloco.”

You can see the paintings on display at each location throughout March. Go in, say hi, enjoy the artwork, and support local independent businesses. It’s a win all round.

See We Are Here until 31 March. Admission is free. Venues are:

Anasma Greek Bakery 7 Queens Parade

Mellards Bar Mellards Warehouse, Market Lane

Piccoloco 2a Hassell Street

Appetite works in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre in partnership with Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

*What is an artist’s residency?

A residency is when an artist spends time in a different place for an amount of time. The place, people and organisations they come into contact with usually feed into the work that they create. This allows them to develop new ideas and talk to different kinds of people to get inspiration for new work. Sometimes they use a residency to try something really different that they haven’t done before.

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Sensasian 2025

Are you ready for the return of Sensasian?

If you love South Asian arts and culture and didn’t come along to Sensasian 2024, you really missed out. But the good news is that it is returning for 2025!

This year across two days at the New Vic Theatre – Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July – Appetite and our partners at the New Vic will once more bring some of the best performers and artists together in a showcase of South Asian cultural excellence.

What happens at Sensasian?

Last year we had music and dance, food, comedy, magic and a family day. For 2025 we will again be at the New Vic Theatre for a mixture of evening performances and a family day on the Saturday.

This year’s schedule hasn’t been announced yet, but WATCH THIS SPACE! We will be sharing details of the acts and activities that make up Sensasian 2025 right here very soon.

Take a look at these photos from Sensasian 2024 by Malcolm Hart and Jenny Harper – or go to the Sensasian 2024 event page – to whet your Appetite for this year’s event:

Sensasian Comedy Night with Desi Central

Comedian Tommy Sandhu

Choogh Choogh by Beeja Dance

Amrit Kaur

Choogh Choogh by Beeja Dance

Sensasian Comedy Night with Desi Central

Nabil Abdulrashid

Bhangra Workshop at Sensasian Family Day

How can I be involved?

Our communities team have been working hard alongside our groups of community decision-makers to come up with a programme of events that the local people of Stoke-on-Trent will be thrilled to see. But there is still time to get involved and have our say on what you’d like to see at the events.

The next community consultation is taking place at New Vic Theatre on 21 March, 6-8.15pm. If you’re interested in coming along, email Raz on rasandeep@appetite.org.uk

You can also help us by spreading the word via social media, putting up a poster, sharing in a newsletter or simply telling your friends. Speak to Raz for more details.

However you choose to be involved with Sensasian, we can’t wait to welcome you to the event.

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Restricted and Repetitive

Restricted and Repetitive – A Residency by Cat McGill

In her first artist’s residency* for Appetite, Autistic musician Cat McGill confronts the concept of ‘restricted and repetitive’ behaviours – one of the criteria for gaining a diagnosis of autism – and asks what it would mean to reframe these behaviours as ’regulating and relaxing’.

Cat invites you to view the world through her eyes – and ears – as she explores how her brain experiences the sounds of the world around us, and shares how her ‘restricted and repetitive’ behaviours are a source of great comfort and joy.

To showcase the project, Cat is creating an interactive and immersive sound installation that will allow other people to experience the sensory-seeking, pattern loving, musical, autistic world inside her head.

The installation will make use of different objects and textures, as well as a combination of music technologies to trigger sounds and replicate the multi-sensory aspect of hearing and feeling music. Each person interacting with the installation will experience it in a different way, meaning that – as a piece of music – it’s different every time it is played.

In this video you can see Cat’s process as she explains making the ”ominous thud’ and how she reacts to it. You can read posts and see more videos following Cat’s creative journey, including what she describes as ‘the boring bits’ (which are still incredibly fascinating) over on her blog page.

See Restricted and Repetitive at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Friday 28 February – Sunday 2 March. Admission is free.

Why this residency?

Cat’s residency forms part of FRONLTINEdance‘s FRONTLINE Arts Festival 2025. Showcasing the talent of UK d/DEAF, disabled and neurodivergent artists, #FAF2025 event will include a range of performances, arts and sound installations, including spoken word, dance, music, poetry, film, sculptures, photographs, drawings and paintings. It will premiere two FRONTLINEdance commissions alongside Cat McGill’s.

The will be an arts symposium day at on Friday 28 February at Potteries Museum & Art Gallery to celebrate and advocate for d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists. It’s set to be an exciting day of performances, panel discussions, and connecting. You can book your tickets on Eventbrite.

*What is an artist’s residency?

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The Big Feast is Back for August 2025!

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

The countdown is ON to the tastiest event of the summer!

Your favourite summer bank holiday weekend full of amazing arts, curious culture, and outdoor spectacle is back on the menu for 2025 as The Big Feast returns to the streets of Stoke-on-Trent Centre (Hanley) on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 August!

So get your calendars and SAVE THE DATE!

What IS The Big Feast?

The Big Feast IS a two-day, festival-style event where you can see some of the best artists from across the UK – and beyond – on the streets of Hanley. It’s a thrill for the senses that often includes circus, outdoor theatre, singing, dancing and other things that simply defy description. There is always so much to do and always plenty of interactive elements for you to join in with.

The Big Feast IS accessible for everyone, suitable for all, and free. We work with hundreds of community decision-makers from across the area to shape what the programme will be each year. Find out all about The Big Feast and see videos from previous years to whet your Appetite over on the Big Feast project page.

The Big Feast IS brought to you by Appetite, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, Smithfield, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The Big Feast is NOT a food festival.

So what’s on this year?

We’ve got so many ideas for this year to bring you even more things that you’ve never seen in Stoke-on-Trent before! As we speak, we are working with our groups of community decision-makers who are voting and shaping the final programme based on what they think that the people in their communities would like to see. As soon as artists are confirmed we’ll announce them here – so make sure to come back and check regularly!

If you can’t wait to see what’s coming up, take a look at what happened at The Big Feast 2024 – our 10th anniversary edition – and hear some great comments live as they happened in this video:

Want to know what else is going on?

Visit the What’s On page for events and go to Get Involved for more opportunities. For regular updates, why not subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X, and YouTube.

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A Canalside Arcana Launch Celebration

Celebrate A Canalside Arcana – Stoke-on-Trent’s newest art trail

Come and join us as we celebrate the launch of a new public art trail along the canal between Etruria and Hanley Park.

Appetite and Canal & River Trust asked artist Anna Francis to create a permanent work of art along the canal based on how the community in Etruria feel about where they live. For months the community has been giving us their thoughts and getting involved and now we’re thrilled to reveal the final piece: A Canalside Arcana.

A Canalside Arcana is a series of eight ceramic plaques lining the canal path from Etruria to Hanley Park that celebrate the nature that grows there. A pack of beautiful hand-drawn cards, filled with fascinating details of the flora and fauna, myth and magic that you might encounter along the trail has also been created as a guide.

Our free celebration event will give you the opportunity to hear from Anna as she describes the project and how feedback from the local community went in to creating the artworks. You can even take a guided walk along the trail with Anna herself!

Event Programme

Self-guided walks

Pick up a map and pack of arcana cards throughout the day from volunteers at either Hanley Park or Etruria. Use the cards to identify what’s shown on the plaques and pick up a keepsake pin badge at the other end.

Guided walks

11am: Introductory talk by Anna at Etruria canalside

11.30am: Etruria to Hanley Park. Starts from the event area around Etruria Industrial Museum.

1.30pm: Hanley Park to Etruria. Meet at 1.15pm in lower Hanley Park by the footbridge over the canal.

Walks are expected to take approximately 45 minutes. Please note that this is not a circular walk. Places are limited and must be booked via Eventbrite or call Appetite office on 01782 381 373.

See and Do

Throughout the day, 11am – 2pm:

Etruria industrial Museum will be open throughout the day
Clay activities inside the museum with floral ceramic artist Rita Floyd, and in Hanley Park with Alice Thatcher
Drop in to a creative workshop aboard the Ikon Gallery Slow Boat with GRAIN, moored at Etruria
Will you see The Frog hopping along the trail or making shapes around the band stand?
Free warm drinks available in Hanley Park and at Etruria Industrial Museum

Live Music from Bombay Baja Brass Band

11am – 11.15am: Etruria
12.30pm – 1.15pm: Hanley Par

Bombay Baja Brass Band

Access Information

Disabled parking can be found at both the north and south car parks in Hanley Park although spaces are limited. There is also disabled parking at Etruria Industrial Museum but please be aware that there is no wheelchair access to the canal path. Access here is via a stepped bridge over the canal.

The canal towpath is mainly flat although parts of the route are cobbled including a set of steps at the lock and at the bridge in Hanley Park.

Please note: Parts of the canal path may be slippery depending on weather conditions so do wear appropriate footwear and take caution along the route.

There is an alternative path for wheelchair users to use that will avoid the steps at the lock and re-joins the canal path at the access road off Castlefield Street (see pictures below).

The pathway leads from the canal path around to the bandstand in Hanley Park to avoid the steps at the bridge (see pictures below).

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Sensasian Community Consultation Event

Help Us Shape Sensasian

Do you have Sensasian-al ideas about what South Asian arts and events should look like in Stoke-on-Trent?

Have you got an insight into the cultural flavours that we are missing in our area? Got opinions about music, dance, and more … ?

We’re inviting YOU to join our Creative Consultation and have your say in shaping Sensasian, a vibrant South Asian arts event coming this July. Explore a curated menu of performers, share your thoughts, and vote for your favourites. Your influence is key as the most popular artists will be selected for our Sensasian programme!

When is it?

Wednesday, February 5 2025

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 0JG

What to expect

An open forum for thoughts, ideas, and conversations about the arts and culture you want to see

A chance to meet like-minded people who are as passionate about South Asian culture in Stoke-on-Trent as you are

A special live performance from a musician to get a taste of what you will see more of in July

Free tea, coffee and snacks

Who should come?

So please come along and lend us your insights to help shape future artistic events that reflect our Stoke-on-Trent’s vibrant heritage. Don’t miss this chance to make your voice heard and be part of something amazing!

Questions? Email Raz on Rasandeep@appetite.org.uk and he can answer any queries you might have before welcoming you to the event.

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Arthur Berry On The Streets Exhibition

ANNOUNCING: Arthur Berry On The Streets

We’re joining the celebrations 100 years of of Arthur Berry: playwright, poet, painter, cultural icon. 2025 would have been his centenary year, and it’s a time when we look forward to honouring his extraordinary life and contribution to art, literature and culture with a series of events. There will be exhibitions, performances, discussions and unprecedented public access to his archive.

As part of this, Appetite are presenting a pop-up, open-air exhibition exploring Arthur’s life and work. The exhibition ‘cubes’ will also feature some of the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition Arthur Berry Prize-winners, shining a light on his lasting legacy.

The exhibition will run from August to October, beginning in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre (Hanley, 4 August – 14 September) before moving to Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre (20 September – end of October).

Check out all of the events in the #ArthurBerry100 series – including a staging of Whatever Happened to Phoebe Salt? at New Vic Theatre – at arthurberry100.co.uk

This event also forms part of the celebrations for Stoke-on-Trent’s 100th anniversary year. Find out more at sot100.org.uk

Image of a previous Three Counties Art Exhibition cubes installation in Newcastle town centre by Andrew Billington Photography

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