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| Brighton Carnival Band – set to brighten up Lancaster on Friday 5th June |
There’s nothing like a First Friday in Lancaster, the city’s highly popular arts extravaganza. This month is no different, offering an impressive selection of music, poetry, writers events, artists talks, exhibitions – and a lot more along the way, including an appearance by the Brighton Carnival Band and simply oodles of free music at pubs around the city – and on the Market Square plinth, too.
Thanks to both local creators and musicians, and some guests, too, you’ll quickly be swept up in the creative energy that pervades the city – so why not give this amazing event a try?
First Fridays are a monthly multi-disciplinary mini-festival of the arts organised by Lancaster Arts City, and happen, not surprisingly, on the first Friday of every month.
Each event brings together artists and performers from the local and national scene in venues across Lancaster, featuring music, literature, drama, visual arts, cinema, poetry and much more.
• For more information, or to find out about volunteering to help the project visit www.artscity.co.uk
• Future First Fridays will take place on 3rd July and 7th August. If you’d like to be involved in First Fridays, please email producer@artscity.co.uk. Check out their Get Involved page for details of micro commissions of up to £350 for artists to produce their ideas on First Fridays.
Events
• Poetry: Lune Rising Audio Walk
5 June 2015 at 08.00am – 5 July, 2015 at 8.00am, Lancaster Castle
A self-guided audio walk by poet Sarah Hymas around Lancaster Castle.
The year is 2060. Sea levels have surged. Lancaster is reduced to Castle Island. A voice, the sole remaining inhabitant, guides you around this un/familiar coastline. You straddle two time zones, two realities, two states of belief. Which can you trust?
Download the audio file from the Arts City web site (file will be uploaded week commencing 1st June) or borrow a preloaded MP3 player from the Gift Shop at the Castle (open daily 9.30- 5.00pm). The walk is self-guided and can be done at any time. The walk begins and ends at the Castle’s main gate, lasting approximately 20 minutes.
• Fusion Exhibition by Arteria
5 June 2015 at 10.00am – 5 June 2015 at 5.00pm, Arteria, Brock Street, Lancaster Web: www.arteriashop.co.uk
Taking place at Arteria, be inspired by a dynamic showcase of art and contemporary crafts based on the cross fertilization of the manufactured and the organically occurring, made by local and national artists. Arteria are celebrating 10th birthday with Atkinsons, coffee will be served for part of the day.
• Exhibition: Understanding The Ritual
5 June 2015 at 12 noon – 5 June 2015 at 7.30pm, Storey Gallery, Meeting House Lane
An exciting exhibition by a range of contemporary artists whose work is shot through with the ancient spirit of Shamanism. Meet the artists from 6.30 – 7.30pm.
• ARTS – From Gallery to Garden workshop
5 June 2015 at 3.30pm – 5 Jun, 2015 at 6.30pm, Storey Gallery, Meeting House Lane
Family Friendly Workshop. Join artists Pete and Sue Flowers for a free workshop to create a new artwork that will connect the Storey Garden and The Gallery at the Storey. You can bring flowers, shells, sticks, fruit, vegetables, mirrors, candles etc…. or just yourselves!
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| Larks in the Parks – and on the Plinth on Friday |
• MUSIC – Larks Loading Outdoor Gig
5 June 2015 at 3.30pm – 5 Jun, 2015 at 6.30pm Facebook: www.facebook.com/larksinthepark
Larks in the Park is Lancashire’s largest youth led music and arts festival and is excited to be in its 5th year! Larks was set founded in 2011 to offer both a platform to showcase the phenomenal music and artistic talent of our districts young people, but also to offer voluntary accredited training for young people in all aspects of community events management. This event will be a selection of our finest young musicians to give you a taste of what’s in store for this year’s 5th Larks in the Park festival and is supported by More Music.
• ARTS – Iron Press Printmaking: Open Studio with Iain Sloan
5 June 2015 5.00pm, The Storey, Meeting House Lane
Come and see Iain Sloan’s new printmaking studio at The Storey. Iain will be on hand to talk about the studio facilities and its many uses including etching, lino-cutting, wood-cutting, wood engraving, drypoint, collograph, carborundum and mono-printing.
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| Luneside Studios |
• ARTS – Luneside Open Studios
5 June 2015 at 5.30 – 7.30pm, Luneside Studios, 26 Castle Park
Luneside Studios have been providing affordable studio space for artists in Lancaster for the last 32 years. Located opposite the castle Luneside opens its doors for an open studio evening. A chance to see inside a working studio & meet the artists.
• MUSIC – Brighton Carnival Collective
5 June 2015 at 5.30 – 6.30pm, Market Square
A modern big band experience, with more than 20 performers taking to the stage. A tidal wave of energetic music, ranging from drum and bass, reggae and jungle to swing, played on Brazilian drums, with a fat horn section and dirty bass-lines, topped with beautiful vocal harmonies. Always guaranteed to get the crowd jumping!
5 June 2015 at 6.00pm onwards
Live music and poetry across Lancaster on First Friday with Rosa Francesca at The Hall, China Street (6pm-10pm, Free); Angela Christopher Poetry Evening,
Lancaster Library (7pm – 9pm Free); Alberto and Friends, 1725 Market Square (9pm -11pm Free); The Bimble Brothers, The George & Dragon, St. George’s Quay, (9pm -11pm Free0; The Olive Groove in the Olive Bar, The Gregson Centre, Moor Lane (9pm -11pm Free); Bluegrass Night, Three Mariners (9pm -11pm Free); Jave and Gweedo, Wagon & Horses, St. Georges’s Quay (9pm – 11pm Free); The Convulsions, John O’Gaunt, Market Street (9pm-midnight Free); Punk & Disorderly (Punk Festival), The Bobbin, Chapel Street, (9.30pm-11.30pm Free); Frayed Edges, Penny Bank, Penny Street (9.30pm-11.30pm Free); and Idol Minds, The Stonewell Tavern, Lower Church Street (9.30pm-11.30pm Free)
• LITERATURE – North West Literary Salon: Carys Davies and Claire Dean
5 Jun, 2015, 7.00pm Lancaster Library
An hour of stories, conversation, food and music. A monthly series, each salon features readings from published North West writers, followed by a discussion chaired by Yvonne and Naomi, locally catered food and music by local musicians. This month features Carys Davies and Claire Dean.
North West Literary Salon is a new initiative bringing established and emerging writers with a local connection together with the public for readings (storytelling) and conversation. After the authors read, Naomi and Yvonne, of Lancaster University, chair a lively discussion and invite the audience to participate. Food is provided by a local caterer and a local musician provides the music.
The salon is an evening engaging with story, community and discussion brought about by our love of a good story told well and is supported by donations from alumni and friends of Lancaster University, a grant from Public Engagement with Research and Grad College.
5 June 2015, 8.00pm The Hothouse, More Music, 13-17 Devonshire Road, Morecambe, LA3 1QT
With support from The Balkanics
Monsieur Doumani are a dynamic trio playing original and traditional Cypriot music with a twist. Featuring Antonis Antoniou on tzouras (small bouzouki), Angelos Ionas on guitar and Demetris Yiasemides on winds, they combine impressive musicianship with humour and panache. 2013’s album Grippy Grappa was a Songlines favourite and their new album Sikoses arrives in the spring.
This concert is part of Songlines Encounters Festival On Tour 2015. Songlines Encounters Festival is co-curated by Songlines magazine and Ikon Arts Management.
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| King of Cats. Art by Christopher Rainham |
• LITERATURE – King of the Cats Storytelling with Jacqueline Harris
5 June 2015, 8.15pm< The Storey
To tie with the exhibition ‘King of the Cats’ which has been touring Lancashire venues including Lancaster City Museum, renowned writer and storyteller Jacqueline Harris will host a special event as part of Litfest’s storytelling programme. From Boggarts to Haunted Hares, and Talking Cats, Lancashire is rich in legend and lore. Come along and be immersed in windswept moorland, snow capped hills and icy becks.
5 June 2015 at 8.30pm The Dukes
A documentary film about the unlikely men who discovered and managed rock legends The Who. Followed by live music in The Dukes bar.
6 June 2015 at 11:00 – 5.00pm
7 June 2015 at 11:00 – 5.00pm
Why not extend your weekend of art, and head out in to the local countryside to uncover some fantastic local artists? Meet the individual artists in their studios and workshops throughout the Lune Valley, see work in progress including paintings, drawings, ceramics, creative glass and textiles.
Visit the website www.lunesdalearts.co.uk for more details.
Download the brochure here (front page and inside page)