A host of cultural and creative activities are to be held in town — and are all free to attend.
Newark Creates, a three-year cultural programme led by Newark Cultural Consortium as part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zone scheme, is set to host a variety of fun-filled events throughout the year.
On Saturday, June 16, Newark Market Place will welcome two international street theatre and outdoor arts shows to town, in association with SO Festival.
A day out for the whole family, there will be four shows by two companies.
De Cuyper vs De Cuyper shows will be at 11.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 3pm.
Set in a swirling sports stadium, two juggling brothers compete against each other. All the codes of known, lesser known and invented sports are used: heroism and fair play, injury, and sponsorship, doping and bended rules.
Enthusiastic supporters, a strict referee and a not always objective reporter complete the picture, and one thing is certain — one brother will leave the arena as a victor and one as a loser.
Zum Zum Theatre’s Hippos will be held at 11am to 11.20am and 1pm to 1.20pm.
In a world where animals and people live together, audiences will encounter hippopotamuses that choose a middle path. Are the humans disguised as the animal they wear, or are they hippos that are searching for themselves inside of the individual that inhabits their body?
Hippos is a street theatre show that challenges the appearances and stereotypes imposed by society. Three hippos dance, live and interact with people, but beyond the fun, a message is hidden, that of respect for difference.
Throughout the summer, from July 11 to September 5, the Bookbench Sculpture Trail will be in place.
Newark Creates has worked in collaboration with Wild in Art to commission 11 artists and community groups to design and create benches for an interactive trail across town.
The 11 benches will be found in various locations across the town centre, and visitors will be able to pick up a trail leaflet to hunt them down and discover their hidden depths.
There will also be more free things to do with workshops, activities, and the Meet Me at the Benches programme.
The trail launch also coincides with day one of the Newark Book Festival.
On Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, the Festival of Creativity returns for a fourth year — with even more of a focus on celebrating creativity — in partnership with the national Fun Palace scheme.
It is set to be a full weekend of drop in, free events from dancing to visual arts, music to weaving, play zones, and a chance to learn more about your town in a variety of venues.
A new event, Historical Escapades, joins the line-up on November 1.
In partnership with animation and film production company Electric Egg, Newark Creates will present a 15-minute rolling animated film that follows a key character as they travel and learn all about Newark through an imaginative telling of a town’s tale.
The film will be projected onto the front of Newark Town Hall, and the Market Place will be the place to be to watch, browse stalls and make an evening of it with dinner out too, and is also set to be a quieter alternative to fireworks.
The film’s script is currently being written and the production will include schools involvement.
All events funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Bookbench Trail is also funded by the Arts Council.
