Big Feast ’22: Frock

by Stopgap Dance Company

Dancers collide in an uplifting dance riot set to a rock soundtrack.

Sat 27 Aug:

1pm to 1.25pm – Hanley Town Hall (map pin: 8)

4pm to 4.25pm  – Hanley Town Hall (map pin: 8)

Access and Useful info

• Audio Description is available for the 4pm performance of Frock
• Read Frock’s Easy Read Visual Story here
• Listen to the audio introduction to Frock here
• View full Big Feast access guidance here
• View the Big Feast map and brochure here

About the Big Feast

We are so proud to bring you the next serving of The Big Feast! Join us on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 August as we showcase the very best local and national talent in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre (Hanley)!

The Big Feast is delivered by Appetite and supported by Stoke-on-Trent BID (Business Improvement District), Stoke-on-Trent City Council and The Without Walls Touring Network Partnership.

Appetite is a partner in Without Walls, working with festivals and artists and bringing fantastic outdoor arts to people in towns and cities across the UK. Find out more on www.withoutwalls.uk.com

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Dizzy O’Dare’s Cabaret of Curiosities After Hours

C’mon, show us some love for Appetite’s 10th year celebrations!

Join us on Saturday 27 August for Dizzy O’Dare’s Cabaret of Cuirosities at the Mitchell Art Centre, Hanley for a night of laughter and mayhem. An array of dazzling performers from Burlesque to circus, Dizzy O’Dare always know how to put on a great show so there’s no excuse to miss out on this very special night! Guests include Diva Hollywood, Belle Canto and The Giant Balloon Show among many more spectacular stars of the stage!

This is a Pay What You Decide Event. Book your tickets here and pay after the event via cash or card.

Tickets are limited for this event. If you’ve booked tickets and are then not able to come along please let us know so that someone else can have the chance to join us.

Age suitability 16+

Running time: 1hr 30 mins to 1hr 45 mins (with interval)

Pre-show cocktails: from 18:00

Doors: 19:45

Show: 20:00

Purchase tickets for the Kids Cabaret here

BSL interpretation and Audio Description is available for this event. Please speak to a member of staff on the night.

For more information call 01782 381373 or email askus@appetite.org.uk

About Dizzy O’Dare

Dizzy O’Dare is a contemporary circus and theatre company. Since 2009 they have produced a wide range of work, which has toured extensively and delighted audiences across the globe. Cabaret of Curiosities ran for over 10 years at the Brook Theatre in Kent, with sell out shows starring dazzling performances, and now, it’s coming to Stoke!

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Dizzy O’Dare’s Cabaret of Curiosities for Kids!

C’mon, show us some love for Appetite’s 10th year celebrations!

Join us on Saturday 27 August for Dizzy O’Dare’s Cabaret of Cuirosities at the Mitchell Art Centre, Hanley! Dizzy O’Dare bring you a fun and lively theatrical cabaret for kids with acts varying from crazy juggling, giant balloons and some classic sing-alongs!

This is a Pay What You Decide Event. Book your tickets here and pay after the event via cash or card.

Tickets are limited for this event. If you’ve booked tickets and are then not able to come along please let us know so that someone else can have the chance to join us.

Age suitability 5+

Running time: 45 mins – 1 hour

Doors: 12:45

Show: 13:00

Purchase tickets for the Adults Cabaret here

BSL interpretation and Audio Description is available for this event. Please speak to a member of staff on the day.

For more information call 01782 381373 or email askus@appetite.org.uk

About Dizzy O’Dare

Dizzy O’Dare is a contemporary circus and theatre company. Since 2009 they have produced a wide range of work, which has toured extensively and delighted audiences across the globe. Cabaret of Curiosities ran for over 10 years at the Brook Theatre in Kent, with sell out shows starring dazzling performances, and now, it’s coming to Stoke!

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Newcastle Common: Fabulous Fancies

We’re celebrating the launch of our Newcastle Common library with a whole host of workshops, talks and performance at our Newcastle Common Astley Walk space. Activities taking place Thursday 4 to Saturday 6 August 2022 from 10.30am to 3pm.

Thursday

Creative Baby Workshop

Start time: 10.30am

Run time: 45 Mins

Come and join CREATIVE BABY for a workshop based on the tale Julian is a Mermaid for babies and their carers.

A sensory play workshop designed to get parents chatting whilst creating a rich sensory activity for your baby. Includes music, stories and play – this workshop is relaxed and baby led. Don’t worry if you are late or need to arrive or leave early, feed or change your baby, you will receive a warm welcome.

For babies aged 6 weeks-confident walkers and their parents/carers and grandparents.

Booking available here. 

First Time with Nathaniel Hall 

Start time: 11.30am

Run time: 1 hour

Can you remember your first time? Nathaniel can’t seem to forget his. To be fair, he has had it playing on repeat for the last 15 years.

Now the party is over, the balloons have all burst and he’s left living his best queer life: brunching on pills and Googling kangaroo vaginas, ancient condoms and human cesspits on a weekday morning… or is he?

Writer, actor and HIV activist Nathaniel Hall (It’s A Sin) reads extracts from, and answers questions about, his award-winning autobiographical solo show First Time.

Most suited for ages 14+

Ghetto Fabulous 

Start time: 12.30pm

Run time: 20 mins

Ghetto Fabulous is an arts company whose main aim is to spread JOY.

Through all the work Ghetto Fabulous does whether it is theatre, dance, visual arts we want to excite, entertain and bring the PARTY !!!!!!. 

Feeling Fabulous Workshop 

Start time: 1.30pm

Run time: 45 mins

Learn to werk a runway and picture perfect insta poses. To a killa soundtrack you will tap into the fierce fabulousness that we all have inside just screaming to get out.

Wear whatever makes you feel fabulous. Just remember you will have dancing, walking and posing!

Friday

Creative Baby Workshop

Start time: 10.30am

Run time: 45 Mins

Come and join CREATIVE BABY for a workshop based on the tale Julian is a Mermaid for babies and their carers.

A sensory play workshop designed to get parents chatting whilst creating a rich sensory activity for your baby. Includes music, stories and play – this workshop is relaxed and baby led. Don’t worry if you are late or need to arrive or leave early, feed or change your baby, you will receive a warm welcome.

For babies aged 6 weeks-confident walkers and their parents/carers and grandparents.

Booking available here. 

Illustration workshop with Matt Buckingham

Start time: 11.30am

Run time: 1 hour

Join illustrator Matt Buckingham, for an exiting, interactive ‘Character Design’ workshop. Fire up your imagination for a creative session designed to inspire any budding storyteller or artist.

Most suited for ages 8+

 Inspired By… a Story Cafe

 Start time: 2pm

Run time: 1 hour

Join Kwanzaa Collective UK* poet Gabriella Gay in this colouring and story workshop aimed at families. Be inspired by the words and lives of Black people like Queen Yaa , who have transformed history through leadership, education, medicine, politics and a desire for freedom and equality for all.

The Inspired By… colouring book was illustrated by Alisha Friday and developed by young people in Staffordshire. It will be available to purchase from Newcastle Common at the suggested donation of £5. All funds raised will go back into printing books for young people to be inspired by the work and words of Black and Brown people in history. 

This event is part of Africa 54, a programme of events  that explores the history, culture, fashion and art of the 54 countries in Africa.

Saturday

Fables at the Kitchen Table

Start time: 10.30am

Run time: 1 hour

Storyteller Soph has travelled all over the world collecting stories.

But, lately, she’s been spending a lot of time at home. Luckily she’s discovered a fantastic book of fables to help her pass the time.

From Aesop the friendly Lion, to Tim the chilled-out Tortoise, join Soph on an imaginative adventure from the kitchen table, as she brings some of Aesop’s best-loved animal characters to life.

With beautiful songs, creative puppetry and a little bit of theatre magic, this live family show features everything except the kitchen sink!

Emma Phillips 

Start time: 11.45am

Run time: 1 hour

Emma Phillips shares her debut book, Daddy and Me!’ a story that shares a day in the life of a little girl who spends a fun filled day with her father.  

In Daddy and Me! the dad is a true superhero!  This workshop explores what makes him so special and then takes you on a journey as you design and create your very own flying super hero!  

Fables at the Kitchen Table

Start time: 1.30pm

Run time: 1 hour

Storyteller Soph has travelled all over the world collecting stories.

But, lately, she’s been spending a lot of time at home. Luckily she’s discovered a fantastic book of fables to help her pass the time.

From Aesop the friendly Lion, to Tim the chilled-out Tortoise, join Soph on an imaginative adventure from the kitchen table, as she brings some of Aesop’s best-loved animal characters to life.

With beautiful songs, creative puppetry and a little bit of theatre magic, this live family show features everything except the kitchen sink!

Beatbox workshop with Faz Shah 

Start time: 3pm

Explore the building blocks to Beatboxing. Taking part in rhythm games, fun music tasks, body percussion and interactive musical activities in groups to create our own beats. 

You will learn how to control the microphone, how to make individual sounds, how to put these sounds together to form different rhythms, which way to hold the microphone and how to adjust the levels to get that perfect balance for an audience!

Most suited for ages 9+

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The Big Feast 2022

Be prepared to feast your eyes!

The Big Feast returns to the streets of Stoke-on-Trent City Centre (Hanley) on Friday 26 & Saturday 27 August 2022! We’ve been busy working with artists, partners and our Supper Club to conjure up a recipe of creativity and excitement!

Our annual two-day festival-style event is packed with live performance, music, dance and activities that YOU can get involved in.

Plus we’ll have an extra special show as part of our 10 year celebrations… stay tuned for more details!

The Line Up

Start planning your visit: view and download your own copy of The Big Feast ’22 Brochure here.

Find out more about individual events here.

Access at The Big Feast

We want to welcome as many people as possible to The Big Feast 2022.

Check out our Big Feast ’22 Access Guide

Check out our Big Feast 2022 Easy Read Visual Story

You can also listen to an audio version of our Big Feast 2022 brochure! Listen to Section 1 – Welcome, and What is the Big Feast- August 2022, Section 2 – Access and Audio description August 2022, Section 3 – Schedule Fri – 26th Aug 2022 and Section 4 – Schedule 27th August 2022.

Watch our BSL introduction to The Big Feast below!

The Big Feast is delivered by Appetite and supported by Stoke-on-Trent BID (Business Improvement District), Stoke-on-Trent City Council and The Without Walls Touring Network Partnership.

Presented by friends of Appetite

Here’s a sample of what some of our friends are serving up during the August Bank Holiday weekend in the City Centre:

• Outdoor Cinema Nights at Smithfield – you are invited to come along and join Smithfield for the FREE evening showings of Back to the Future and The Greatest Showman. Find out more and book your tickets here
• Potteries Museum and Art Gallery presents: Echoes Through Time Hoard at Night – Travel back through the mists of time as PMAG’s Staffordshire Hoard curator reveals some of the secrets of this magnificent treasure by candlelight. Find out more
•  Air Space Gallery presents: THE FOOL – What is a fool? This immersive, multi-media group exhibition will offer visitors a chance to interact and participate with the works as we seek to explore this and more. Find out more
• The Neurodiversity Umbrella Project – The Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, ADHD Foundation and other local businesses have united to deliver spectacular, uplifting and iconic public art project to Stoke-on-Trent City Centre. Find out more

Can’t make this year’s Big Feast?

Don’t worry – we’ve got you! See livestreams of some of the outstanding performances from the day over on our Facebook page.

On Friday, check out The Kings of Bhangra at 2.30pm. on Saturday, see The Lost Opera at 12.30pm and Frock at 4pm. Keep a look for more live content and interviews with artists too!

Event Photography & Filming Notice

There will be professional event photography and filming taking place during The Big Feast to help capture and promote the event with partners. If for any reason you don’t want to appear in official event photography or film, please notify a member of the crew immediately.

Our events take place in public spaces and are attended by many who will take photos. We are not in control of all photography or filming at the event, only official event photographers.

Event Funders:

Featured image by Chris Patrick

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SnapperSquad Open Exhibition 2022 at Newcastle Common

Newcastle Common’s Astley Walk space will be hosting the latest exhibition by members of The Sentinel and StokeonTrentLive’s SnapperSquad  from Thursday 7 to Saturday 16 July. Drop-in and see the exhibition daily from 11am to 3pm, closed Sunday 10 July.

SnapperSquad is a group of amateur photographers living across North Staffordshire and South Cheshire, who meet regularly, share images and learn together. Members create images across a huge range of subjects which are showcased in print by The Sentinel, online at StokeonTrentLive and across other social media outlets.

This exhibition shows just a small cross section of the members’ interests and technical abilities, which hopefully will encourage other amateur photographers to try different ways of photographing a variety of subjects.

SnapperSquad is brought together in partnership with The Sentinel, StokeonTrentLive, 1st Cameras and Lehmanns Stoke.

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Appetite presents… Lookout in Newcastle-under-Lyme

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Future Cargo Dance Workshop at the New Vic Theatre

Be inspired with this sci-fi dance style workshop hosted by the creators of Future Cargo taking place in the Workspace of the New Vic Theatre on Saturday 2 July 2pm to 4pm.

In this 2 hour workshop, Requardt & Rosenberg, creators of Future Cargo, will share the inner workings of their creative process. Requardt & Rosenberg will draw on reoccurring themes of their work: proximity; audience perspective; the juxtaposition of the miniature and the colossal; and surprise.

Centred around the dance routine that has been created for Future Cargo, this workshop aims to take something that already exists and create something new. Frauke Requardt (Co-Director of Future Cargo) and Valentina Formenti (Dance Captain) will teach material from Future Cargo and encourage a playful exploration of the possibilities of the dance phrases.

They will look at the creative treatment of the movement material and feedback, looking at ways of further developing the material and sharing dance phrases in response to different environments.

This workshop is a Pay What You Decide activity.

Event location 

The New Vic Theatre is located just two minutes from the A500 – the main route through the area connecting to routes into the city from all directions, including the M6, A53, A52, A50 and A34. If you’re using a sat nav, use the postcode ST5 0JG to locate the theatre on your device – check it’s directing you to Etruria Road in Basford.

The Workspace building is located in the top left corner of the theatre car park, which you will see as you drive in. It is labelled ‘Workspace’ on the side in white lettering.

Photo by Camilla Greenwell

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Newcastle Common artist-in-residence Semaan Khawam

As part of Alison Lochhead’s Art for Peace collection, currently on display in our Newcastle Common spaces and at Keele University, we are excited to be welcoming Semaan Khawam into our Newcastle Common space to create art with the community.

Semaan Khawam is a Lebanese painter, designer, graffiti artist, actor, writer and poet. As an artist-in-residence, Semaan will be using our Newcastle Common Astley Walk space as a place to create art with input from the community.

Drop-in sessions will be taking place Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Thursday 9 to Saturday 25 June 11am to 3pm. The sessions aim to open art to the community to encourage self expression. The door is always open for Semaan when he is in the studio. He is looking to have conversations and invite guests to use the different tools available to express themselves. Sessions will be mainly painting, writing and small sculptures.

Find out more about Semaan’s story via the video below:

Warning: This video includes adult content

More about Semaan Khawam 

Semaan Khawam is a Lebanese painter, designer, graffiti artist, actor, writer and poet. He is born in 1974 and lived and worked in Beirut until he recently could no longer. Khawam is a frequent exhibitor and his work has been featured at personal or collective exhibitions at, among others, Galerie Janine Rubeiz, the Joanna Seikaly art gallery and the Nada Debs gallery. His art and poetry have been featured in Arab and international newspapers.

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