Local artists combine to create spectacular event on City Walls
Artists have been announced for the new annual promenade event on the City Walls, at twilight 9th and 10th November, when the city walls will be dramatically lit and populated with artists including fire jugglers, clowns, performance artists and visual arts installations.
The event, called Up The Wall, is free (including free refreshments) and is organised by Chester Performs. It is aimed at families and arts enthusiasts. The route avoids the closed section and runs from the cathedral to Northgate and back again, featuring performers on the walls, in the cathedral grounds and on Dean’s Field, where there will be a dramatic fire juggling demonstration.
A call for local artists to get involved from across Cheshire and North Wales has been extremely successful. Some artists are travelling from as far a field as Monmouth, Maidenhead and Sheffield. Lindsay Evans, a visual art specialist from Chester is making giant spider’s webs from mohair, wire string and rope; which will be suspended in trees along the route. She is also helping co-ordinate the other local artists involved;
“It’s great that local artists can get involved because normally we would have to go to Manchester or Liverpool to take part in something quite so adventurous. Performance art and installations are perfect ways of reacting to the rich architectural heritage we have here in Chester. Many of the contributors have specially designed pieces for the walls themselves.”
Other artists include dancers, street theatre performers and junkyard orchestras, whilst artists have prepared installations using tents, musical instruments and in one case a caravan. Other contributors have made lanterns and inflatable structures to line the route.
Amber Jones of Chester Performs insists the event is for everyone:
“It’s a very family friendly affair, even though it’s also definitely very unusual as well! We are hoping that Cestrians are keen to give it a go. All they have to do is wrap up warm and come to the Town Hall Square anytime between 4pm and 7pm on either night. The route is suitable for pushchairs and so we hope to see families out for a late afternoon stroll. We think it will be tremendous for the City if we can develop this kind of event for Chester. Next year we plan to invite other walled cities to contribute and we can make it a truly European affair. It’s brilliant that so many local artists are taking part and that we can find ways of responding to our amazing environment and history”
More information from Chester Performs on 01244 409113, www.chesterperforms.com
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Caption: Fire jugglers, Gandini from London will be performing on the Deans Field.
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Background
Chester Performs is overseeing the development of the city’s new performing arts centre, which will open in 2011. Set to challenge audiences with a series of high profile performing arts events and community projects Chester Performs aims is to broaden horizons and raise the level of expectation In the performing arts both in Chester and Cheshire.
Following the closure of Chester Gateway Theatre, Chester Performs will be working with the region’s artists and communities and plans to stage work in non-traditional and outdoor spaces across the region. Cutting edge performances will take place on the streets of Chester, by the River Dee and around the Roman walls. These projects will involve street performers and aerial artists, musicians, dancers, actors, visual and sonic artists, installations and performance art.
Chester Performs Contact: Amber Jones Tel: 01244 409113
Press Contacts: Jane Harrad-Roberts Mob: 07785 395705
Phil Brotherhood Mob: 07884 493370
Tel: 01244 330000
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