The Spitfire Weekend

In celebration of the return of Stoke-on-Trent’s restored Spitfire RW388 and the opening of it’s new home, the brand new Spitfire Gallery at Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, we are so excited to bringing a selection performances and activities to the City Centre as part of the Spitfire Celebration Weekend taking place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September.

Click here to see a full programme of events across the Spitfire Celebration Weekend and a map of where the activities will be taking place.

The programme includes:

Saturday 18 September 

10am to 5.30pm – Classic Car Display

Explore a display of classic cars on Warner Street (behind the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery)

11am to 4pm – Circus Skills Workshop

Drop-in and learn fun, show-stopping circus skills such as plate spinning, juggling with balls, scarves and clubes, Poi, Devilstick, Chinese Diabolo, beginners Stilts, Feather balancing, Cigar boxes, Fun Wheels, Chinese ribbons and more!

by Circus Sensible 

Take part at Bethesda Gardens

11am, 1.35pm & 3pm – Dodo Rider

by Dizzy O Dare 

Legendary equestrian rider Lillian May Stanhope… fresh from a Royal Command performance at Sandringham for Queen Victoria herself, wows the city centre with her rare appearance of Raphus Cucullatous, the last known living specimen of the Dodo bird.

This  a walkabout performance – keep a look out!

11am performance starting outside Hanley Bus Station

1.35pm performance starting outside Hanley Bus Station

3pm performance starting at Warner Street

11.30am & 2.30pm – Flycycle

by Pif Paf

Come away with us on a journey of your wildest dreams, aboard our famous traveling machine The Flycycle!  Choose a traveling companion, find the departure lounge and we’ll take care of the rest. Two passengers at a time, Pif-Paf create a story and take you on a magical journey.  With Captain Bigshot, you’ll fly up up and away, crossing continents in turbulent adventures. Be prepared for the unexpected, and enjoy the ride!

See this performance at the City Centre Beach, Smithfield, Leonard Coates Way, ST1 4EX

11.35am, 1pm & 3.35pm – Mr Strong

by Circus House

This is a walkabout performance – so keep a look out!

12.10pm, 2.10pm & 4.10pm – Sweep of Swallows

by Bird in the Hand Theatre

See the swallows swoop and take to the skies in the city centre.

This is a walkabout performance – keep a look out!

12.10pm performance starting at the top of Piccadilly

2.10pm performance starting at Warner Street

4.10pm performance starting at the top of Piccadilly

Sunday 19 September 

10am to 5.30pm – Classic Car Displays

Explore a display of classic cars on Warner Street (behind the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery)

11am to 4pm – Circus Skills Workshop

by Circus Sensible 

Drop-in and learn fun, show-stopping circus skills such as plate spinning, juggling with balls, scarves and clubs, Poi, Devilstick, Chinese Diabolo, beginners Stilts, Feather balancing, Cigar boxes, Fun Wheels, Chinese ribbons and more!

Take part at Bethesda Gardens

11am & 1.55pm – Dodo Rider

by Dizzy O Dare

Legendary equestrian rider Lillian May Stanhope… fresh from a Royal Command performance at Sandringham for Queen Victoria herself, wows the city centre with her rare appearance of Raphus Cucullatous, the last known living specimen of the Dodo bird.

This is a walkabout performance – keep a look out!

11am performance starting at the top of Piccadilly

1.55pm performance starting outside Hanley bus station

11.30am & 2.30pm – Flycycle

by Pif Paf

Come away with us on a journey of your wildest dreams, aboard our famous traveling machine The Flycycle!  Choose a traveling companion, find the departure lounge and we’ll take care of the rest. Two passengers at a time, Pif-Paf create a story and take you on a magical journey.  With Captain Bigshot, you’ll fly up up and away, crossing continents in turbulent adventures. Be prepared for the unexpected, and enjoy the ride!

See this performance at the City Centre Beach, Smithfield, Leonard Coates Way, ST1 4EX

11.35am & 1.20pm – Ringmaster

by Artizani 

This is a walkabout performance – keep a look out!

11.35am performance starting outside Hanley bus station

1.20pm performance staring outside Potteries Museum and Gallery

12.10pm, 2.30pm & 3.40pm – The Baghdaddies

The Baghdaddies are a exhilarating cocktail of Balkan melodies, ska and latin grooves and sizzling brass played with furious energy and theatrical humour, making them as unforgettable on stage as they are when performing as wandering brass troubadours. They take themselves incredibly seriously so you don’t have to…

This is a walkabout performance – keep a look out!

12.10pm performance starting at the top of Piccadilly

2.30pm performance starting outside Potteries Museum and Gallery

3.40pm performance starting at Warner Street

12.45pm, 3.05pm & 4.15pm – Sweep of Swallows

by Bird in the Hand Theatre 

See the swallows swoop and take to the skies in the city centre.

This is a walkabout performance – keep a look out!

12.45pm performance starting outside Hanley bus station

3.05pm performance starting at Warner Street

4.15pm performance starting at Piccadilly

Food and drink

Food and drink vendors will be available on both days from 11:30am to 5.30pm. Stop-by Smithfield and sample food and drink from some Stoke-on-Trent favourites including Neena’s, 6 Towns Gin and GG’s Nosh Box.

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Open Up at New Vic Theatre

Featured image taken from the ‘Open Up’ exhibition.

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What’s On at City Centre Beach!

From Saturday 21 August to Tuesday 21 September, we’ll be hosting a whole range of fun, free activities and performances from the City Centre Beach that the whole family can enjoy!

Come and find the City Centre Beach at Smithfield, Leonard Coates Way, ST1 4EX, in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre (Hanley)

Find out more about the City Centre beach here.

Tuesday 7 September 

Beach Play (10am-5.30pm) 

Join us at the beach for a day of relaxed beach play. Grab one of our free buckets and spades for a dig in the sand or find yourself a free deckchair and take five. Our beach hosts will be on hand to make sure you have all you need for a fun day at the beach.

Wednesday 8 September 

Stoke-on-Trent’s Little Library Van (10.30am-1pm) 

Stoke-on-Trent Libraries Services bring their Little Library Van to the beach. Join them for story-time activities for little ones and books for all ages to enjoy.

Thursday 9 September 

Beach Play (10am-5.30pm) 

Join us at the beach for a day of relaxed beach play. Grab one of our free buckets and spades for a dig in the sand or find yourself a free deckchair and take five. Our beach hosts will be on hand to make sure you have all you need for a fun day at the beach.

Friday 10 September 

Live Music from Samantha Lloyd (1pm-2pm) 

Have some live music with your lunch hour with professional local singer/songwriter Samantha Lloyd. 

Samantha Lloyd is a singer/songwriter and professional musician from Staffordshire. When she is not performing at events and venues she is busking on the streets filling her time with music wherever possible. Samantha has recently being seeing some success on TikTok with almost 30 thousand followers tuning in to watch her stream live from the streets.  Samantha will keep you happily entertained with a varied repertoire from across the decades including her own material. Find all of Samantha’s Socials and website here.

Beach Play (10am-5.30pm) 

Join us at the beach for a day of relaxed beach play. Grab one of our free buckets and spades for a dig in the sand or find yourself a free deckchair and take five. Our beach hosts will be on hand to make sure you have all you need for a fun day at the beach.

Saturday 11 September 

British Ceramics Biennial Foundations Workshop (11am-4pm) 

Foundations drop-in workshop will explore the science of clay. Find out where clay comes from and experimenting to find out what it is made. Get hands-on and messy processing raw clay from the ground, or try mixing a range of natural materials to make a glaze for a tile. Suitable for all ages.

Saturday 11 September 

Art Brasil (11am-12.30pm & 2pm-3.30pm)  capoeira workshops and demonstrations

Join Mestre Piolho & Contramestre Joyce to explore Brazilian CAPOEIRA – a unique fusion of martial art, dance and music.

Get ready to see the world from a whole new perspective.

Sunday 12 September 

British Ceramics Biennial Foundations Workshop (11am-4pm) 

Foundations drop-in workshop will explore the science of clay. Find out where clay comes from and experimenting to find out what it is made. Get hands-on and messy processing raw clay from the ground, or try mixing a range of natural materials to make a glaze for a tile. Suitable for all ages.

Sunday 12 September 

Autin Dance Theatre (11am-11.20am; 1.30pm-2.15pm; 3.15pm-4pm) Out of the Deep Blue walkabout & static performances

Out of the Deep Blue is an outdoor physical theatre performance featuring a 4-metre tall Puppet operated by 5 puppeteers and a female dancer. This spectacle is designed specifically for family and festival audiences and tells the magical story of Eko, a sea giant who rises from the deep ocean and encounters, on the shore, a little girl called ᐯiolet. 

Monday 13 September 

Beach Play (10am-5.30pm) 

Join us at the beach for a day of relaxed beach play. Grab one of our free buckets and spades for a dig in the sand or find yourself a free deckchair and take five. Our beach hosts will be on hand to make sure you have all you need for a fun day at the beach.

Tuesday 14 September 

Beach Play (10am-5.30pm) 

Join us at the beach for a day of relaxed beach play. Grab one of our free buckets and spades for a dig in the sand or find yourself a free deckchair and take five. Our beach hosts will be on hand to make sure you have all you need for a fun day at the beach.

Wednesday 15 September 

Stoke-on-Trent’s Little Library Van (10.30am-1pm) 

Stoke-on-Trent Libraries Services bring their Little Library Van to the beach. Join them for story-time activities for little ones and books for all ages to enjoy.

Thursday 16 September 

Free drop-in storytelling and creative activities (10am to 1pm)

Partners in Creative Learning CIC are pleased to invite you to pop along to The City Centre Beach for interactive storytelling and creative activities based around the story of The Snail and The Whale by Julia Donaldson. Drop-in sessions will be for children 2 to 8 years old. 

Thursday 16 September 

Beach Play (10am-5.30pm) 

Join us at the beach for a day of relaxed beach play. Grab one of our free buckets and spades for a dig in the sand or find yourself a free deckchair and take five. Our beach hosts will be on hand to make sure you have all you need for a fun day at the beach.

Friday 17 September 

Cloudscapes (11am-4pm) 

Gobbledegook Theatre presents Cloudscapes, an intimate installation set in an outdoor auditorium — a cloud-gazing area. Lie back on one of the giant bean bags, look up and contemplate the mutability of clouds, as well as the mutability of humanity, guided by the soothing voice of performer and creator Lorna Rees.

Saturday 18 September & Sunday 19th September 

Pif Paf – Flycycle (11.30am-12.15pm; 2.30pm-3.15pm)

Come away with us on a journey of your wildest dreams, aboard our famous traveling machine The Flycycle!  Choose a traveling companion, find the departure lounge and we’ll take care of the rest. Two passengers at a time, Pif-Paf create a story and take you on a magical journey.  With Captain Bigshot, you’ll fly up up and away, crossing continents in turbulent adventures. Be prepared for the unexpected, and enjoy the ride!

Monday 20 September 

Free drop-in storytelling and creative activities (11am to 2pm)

Partners in Creative Learning CIC are pleased to invite you to pop along to The City Centre Beach for interactive storytelling and creative activities based around the story of The Snail and The Whale by Julia Donaldson. Drop-in sessions will be for children 2 to 8 years old. 

Monday 20 September 

Beach Play (10am-5.30pm) 

Join us at the beach for a day of relaxed beach play. Grab one of our free buckets and spades for a dig in the sand or find yourself a free deckchair and take five. Our beach hosts will be on hand to make sure you have all you need for a fun day at the beach.

Tuesday 21 September 

Newcastle Common at City Centre Beach (11am – 4pm)

Join Appetite’s Newcastle Common artist Ladybird Su and create your own British Wildflower envelope to print and takeaway too to plant your own garden. Be inspired by your surroundings and create your own mini artwork on our mini canvases!

Tuesday 21 September 

Beach Play (10am-5.30pm) 

Join us at the beach for a day of relaxed beach play. Grab one of our free buckets and spades for a dig in the sand or find yourself a free deckchair and take five. Our beach hosts will be on hand to make sure you have all you need for a fun day at the beach.

City Centre Beach: Stoke-on-Trent is presented by Appetite and Stoke-on-Trent City Council

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The Big Feast ’21: Big Screen

Join us at the Big Feast 2021, where in collaboration with Flatpack Festival we’re showcasing some of the best and most bizarre films from around the globe. You can expect two fantastic programmes for the younger film fans among us, containing some of the most fun, colourful, and musical shorts you’ll ever see on a big screen (or anywhere else, for that matter). You can also look forward to a toe-tapping collection of screen dance films, exploring how dance and film can come together to create a whole new artform. We’ll also be showing a West Midlands made look at how a Sikh immigrant family dynamic changes in the wake of tragedy, and a Ridley Scott-produced look at a single day in the life of over 16,000 Indian people.

The Big Feast Big Screen can be found at Smithfield (map pin: 10)

Saturday 28 August

10.30am – Colour Box: Fantastic Voyages 

Short animated films for families curated by Flatpack

Running time: 57 mins

11.30am – Screendance

Short dance films curated by Flatpacks

Running times: 1 hour 12 mins

12.45pm – Colour Box: Reels on Wheels

Short animated films for families curated by Flatpack

Running time: 1 hour 3 mins

2.00pm – Taking Up Space

Short dance film by Kwanza Collective UK. Filmed by Cynthia Coady. Comissioned by Urban Wilderness.

Running time: 11 mins

2.15pm – Annie in the Woods & SOLO

Short dance films by dancer Annie Edwards

Running times: 5 mins & 4 mins

2.30pm – India in a Day

A crowd sourced documentary telling the story of a single day in India

Running time: 1hr 26 mins

4.00pm – Taking Up Space

A short dance film by Kwanza Collective UK. Filmed by Cynthia Coady. Commissioned by Urban Wilderness.

Running time: 11mins

4.15pm – Annie in the Woods & SOLO

Short dance films by dancer Annie Edwards

Running times: 5 mins & 4 mins

Music for ‘Solo’ is Solo by Frank Ocean. For ‘Annie in the Woods’ it’s You Led Me to the Wrong by Ola Belle Reed

Access and Useful Info

• View full Big Feast Access Guidance here.

About The Big Feast 

We are so proud to bring you the next serving of The Big Feast! Join us on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 August as we showcase the very best local and national talent in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre (Hanley)!

                   

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