Chameleon Company who will bring Push to Lancaster Market Square on Friday 5th October. Photo: Brian Slater

Lancaster Arts City will be launched next Friday (5th October) with the first in a series of special monthly events showcasing the variety of cultural activities on offer across the district.

And the promotion of Lancaster as an Arts City will also see the launch of a new free mobile app which aims to ensure people never miss out again on the array of exciting events taking place locally.

Lancaster Arts City promotes excellent arts activity in Lancaster, Morecambe and district, encouraging residents and visitors to see the area afresh.

And on the first Friday of every month there will be a special chance to try out something new on the arts scene.

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The inaugural First Friday takes place on 5th October, right in the centre of Lancaster when live music courtesy of young musicians from More Music will play in Market Square from 6.00pm.

At the City Museum and Lancaster Library, information on Lancaster Arts City will be available at the launch of the free smartphone app intended to make it easier to access what’s on information when planning a day or night out in the district.

Lancaster’s reputation as a dance hub will be demonstrated from 7.15pm in Market Square with a performance of Push by Company Chameleon. (Who are back in Lancaster on 1st November at Lancaster University’s LICA with another production, Gameshow).

Zena Edwards who’ll present film and spoken word at during the First Friday event at The Dukes

You’re then invited to follow the crowd to The Dukes for Afrovibes Festival Friday, where you can enjoy free live South African music in the Township Café from 6.00pm, a dance performance in The Rake from 8.00pm and spoken word plus film in the gallery from 8.45pm.

The organisers of First Fridays and the promoters of Lancaster Arts City are Lancaster Arts Partners who include The Dukes, More Music, Ludus, Live at LICA, Litfest, Green Close and Storey Gallery.

Every First Friday of the month, many of Lancaster Arts Partners will be offering special events to enjoy for free in a bid to encourage more people to experience the wide variety of arts activities available in the district.

“Lancaster’s reputation as an historic city is well established and now it’s time to shout about its status as an arts city too,” says Lancaster Arts Partners chairman, Joe Sumsion.

“This project signposts the professional performances, exhibitions and events taking place on our doorstep and celebrates the fantastic cluster of arts organisations in Lancaster, Morecambe and district.”

November’s First Friday is entitled Light Up Lancaster and will be a free event where all the family can stroll through the city on the evening of 2nd November and enjoy music, film, dance and art lighting up Lancaster’s beautiful buildings and squares.

• For more information on Lancaster Arts City, First Fridays and the free app, visit www.artscity.co.uk