This year we’re inviting YOU to come and join The Festival Parade!
On Saturday afternoon 2nd September we’re parading through the festival site, with RJC Dance, and a festival samba band. And there are many ways for you to be part of this.
What’s the spirit animal you would like to protect you? Or what animal would you like to be? That’s what we’re asking the children of Chapel Allerton this summer. And what we want you to show in the parade.
Artist Tony Wade has been working with Chapel Allerton and St Matthew’s primary schools to make banners.
There are free family drop-in workshops during the summer holidays. At these workshops Tony Wade will help you make your own puppet spirit animal, to carry with you in the parade.
- The Reginald Centre library on Friday 18th August (11.00am – 4.30pm)
- Chapel Allerton Library on 29th August (10.30am – 4.00pm) and 30th August (1.00pm – 6.30pm).
Are you more of a musician than an artist? We’re forming a street samba band for the day. If you play an instrument and would like to play it in the parade, let us know by using the form to send some details.
We’re also holding a couple of free open band workshops. Everyone is welcome, you don’t have to read music, or own an instrument. We’ll teach you what to do and have samba instruments for you to play. We’ll be at the Methodist Hall, 7.00pm – 9.00pm on Wednesday 30th August, and we’ll also have a practice on the street on festival Saturday.
Register your interest:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdnx-NNjqkksOF6irqNIHiZnXCpDkAA_zD7Zi3X6RLbJItQKg/viewform
We’re really thrilled that RJC Dance from Chapeltown are going to be leading the parade. It’s our 25th birthday this year, and its RJC’s 30th birthday, so we can celebrate both together by dancing in the street. Thank you to Leeds 2023 for helping to make this happen.
The parade starts at 3.30 on Saturday 2nd September. Throughout the day on Festival Saturday, we’ll have our usual children’s activities and entertainment on the street, with a young children’s play area, another chance to make a parade puppet, or learn circus skills from Circus Leeds and juggler Matthew Tiffany.
This project was made possible by the generous support of the Mohn Westlake Arts Engagement Fund and Leeds Community Foundation.
