Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Halifax
Discovery Road
Halifax
HX1 2NE
Halifax Festival announces summer line-up of arts and activities
Article published on 21 July 2010
The summer's biggest event is here in Halifax from 14 - 22 August when the Halifax Festival lands with an exciting schedule of events for the entire family. Building on the success of previous years' The July Project, the Halifax Festival offers the biggest programme of family arts, sports and leisure entertainment in Halifax this year, with over 100 diverse activities to suit every age range, interest and budget.
The festival kicks off on 14 August with the spell-binding rhythms and passionate percussion of the Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers, who will fill the magnificent outdoor setting of the Piece Hall with their thundering soundscapes. Other highlights include: pop band The South, playing new songs and old favourites from their 20 year back catalogue as international sensations The Beautiful South, an outdoor theatrical performance of children's classic ‘The Secret Garden', learn about a career in stunt work from Hollywood stuntman Stephen Walsh, cross-cultural storytelling workshops and a grand finale which begins with a giant set of dance mats in the afternoon, followed by a drive-in movie double feature of E.T. and Dirty Dancing and finishes with fireworks.
The Halifax Festival succeeds the immensely popular July Project, a youth-orientated festival which began in 2007 and had over 17,500 people attend in 2009. This year's festival builds on the July Project's popularity with expanded offerings for all ages and interests. The 2010 Halifax Festival is again being organised by Square Chapel Centre for the Arts, Eureka! The National Children's Museum, the Victoria Theatre and Calderdale Council, joined in 2010 by Halifax Minster.
The Halifax Festival would not be possible without the support of the Arts Council, the Community Foundation for Calderdale, Calderdale College, and Halifax, part of the Lloyds Banking Group. Further details about sponsors and supporting the festival are available on the festival website.
A full programme of events and activities will be available right across Yorkshire - in libraries, participating venues, shops and leaflets racks everywhere.
Tickets for all events are on sale now from Square Chapel Centre for the Arts which is opposite Halifax railway station, or on 01422 349422. The Box Office is open from 9:30am - 5pm Monday to Friday and from 11am - 3pm Saturday, and for longer periods during the Festival. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or with all major credit and debit cards.
Some tickets are only available at the host venue, for more information and online sales visit the Halifax Festival website on http://www.halifaxfestival.co.uk.
Highlights include:
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson-Burnett, adapted by David Kerby-Kendall
Heartbreak Productions
Manor Heath Park
Sunday 15 August 6.30pm
Tickets: £12, £10 concessions, £35 family of 4 (to include 1 adult and 1 child)
Suitable for ages 6 to 60 and beyond
When Mary is orphaned, she must return to estranged family in England and an unknown world. But on discovering an abandoned garden, she opens the family, and herself to a new and positive life. Outdoor performance, bring your chairs and a picnic.
Quilt Art at 25
Bankfield Museum
17 July - 30 August
A major exhibition of new work by Quilt Art which radically departs from traditional quilt making to be innovative, experimental and sometimes challenging. Celebrates Quilt Art's 25th anniversary. http://www.quiltart.org.uk
Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers
The Piece Hall
Saturday 14 August, 7.30pm
Tickets: £15, £12 concessions
Thundering rhythms on huge taiko drums interweave with layers of percussive soundscapes and delicate bamboo flute in a spellbinding display of precise choreography & sheer athleticism. Mugenkyo are Europe's leading taiko drum group, retaining the traditional spirit of taiko with a contemporary twist. Outdoor performance, bring something to sit on!
Lost in Translation, storytelling with Peter Chand and Shonaleigh
Wednesday 18 August
Victoria Theatre, Q - 8.00pm - 9.45pm
Tickets: £10. Please book at the Victoria Theatre Box Office, 01422 351158
Suitable for 10 years +
A fusion performance of translated Jewish and Indian stories, some being told for the first time in English. Will Jakov and Pardesi put aside their differences to save their kingdom?
Midnight League Activities: Dance Mat Extravaganza
Bring your friends and challenge each other to play on 14 dance mats linked together. Suitable for all ages.
Monday 16 August, Eureka! Playfest 10am - 4pm
Thursday 19 August, Square Chapel Centre for the Arts 10am - 1pm
Friday 20 August, Eureka! Playfest 10am - 4pm
Saturday 21 August, Eureka! Drive-In Movies 3pm - 4pm, 7.30pm - 8.30pm
Halifax Festival Drive-In Movies
Eureka! Car Park
Saturday 21 August
Sound for the Drive-In Movies is streamed direct to your car stereo, if you come on foot be sure to bring a hand held radio with headphones so you can tune in!
ET: The Extra Terrestrial (PG)
4pm, gates open at 3pm
Tickets: £20 per car or £5 on foot, £3 concessions on foot
Spend the day at Eureka! for an additional £4.50 per person (only available at the time of booking)
Elliot is a normal boy, until one day, when he meets a little lost alien. Elliot decides to help the alien hidden away, but should he keep his new best friend or help him find his way home?
Dirty Dancing (12)
8.30pm, gates open at 7.30pm
Tickets: £25 per car or £5 on foot, £3 concessions on foot
First dance. First love. The time of your life. It is the summer 1963 at a holiday resort when a guest and a member of staff meet. Will they have enough in common to stay together or will their different backgrounds keep them apart? Firework Finale.
The Halifax Show 2010
Halifax Agricultural Society
Savile Park Moor
Saturday 14 August
Tickets: £8, £4 concessions, £22 family ticket (2 adults, 2 children)
One of the most prestigious and well respected shows in West Yorkshire. Come along and support what is guaranteed to be a fantastic day with a great atmosphere and some of the best Cattle in the country.
Stuntman to the Stars
Stephen Walsh
Victoria Theatre
Thursday 19 August, 3pm - 5pm
Tickets: Free but must be prebooked at the Victoria Theatre Box Office
Hollywood stuntman Stephen Walsh, recently nominated for a World Stunt Award, talks about how he became a professional stuntman and answers your questions about careers in stunt work at the Victoria Theatre. Prebooking essential for this exciting, informal event.
