Weston Arts + Health Festival returns to the town for the third year to present a diverse programme of free events to make you feel good.
Co-produced by Culture Weston and The Arts & Culture Programme, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW), the theme of this year’s annual Festival is Global Weston, celebrating the rich diversity of Weston and its hospital staff and the universal things that connect us – story, food, song and landscape.
Wednesday 5 October: ‘In Our Hands’ photography exhibition celebrating staff at Weston General Hospital is launched in Princess Royal Square and open to the public every day throughout October.
Thursday 6 October: Enjoy a day of poetry to mark National Poetry Day, including Global Citizen themed poetry workshop, ‘The Elementalists’ al fresco performance by Chapter One on SEE MONSTER and a Speakeasy evening at Loves Cafe. Beth Calverley’s Poetry Machine will also be roving around town during the Festival period.
Friday 7 October, Go Global in Grove Park, 6pm – 9pm:
Premiere screening under the magical canopy of a stretch tent of University Centre Weston’s short film ‘Global Citizen’, that explores young, intercultural perspectives on the future of our planet and its people. Including food and story tasters from Caribbean Cuisine, music and dance from Flamenco Loco plus tapas and drinks to purchase at Sprout café. Presented in association with Race Equality North Somerset and Loves Café and part of Weston’s series of events for Black History Month:
Saturday 8 October, Bandstand Bonanza & Buffet at Grove Park, 1pm – 5pm:
A feast of free food and family entertainment for all to enjoy featuring a special community afternoon of song, dance, games and creativity. Including local choirs, singers from UHBW NHS Foundation Trust, St George’s Bristol, the middle eastern Hazir Ensemble, Turkish and Chinese dancing, Carboot Disco Bingo, hula-hooping, audio installations, Global mural painting, poetry and more.
Middle Eastern Mezze from Sprout Cafe will be served from 1pm (until it’s eaten up!)Stretch tent shelter provided for all-weather-entertainment – BYO picnic blanket.
Sunday 9 October:
An irresistible mash-up in the water taking place at Marine Lake. Come swim ready and learn some moves. Or dive into Shruti Bhoyar’s sublime illustrations of cold water swimmers, at an exhibition at the hospital, window display at Weston Artspace and online at cultureweston.org.uk.
A free, drop-in meeting at the Grow Feral Community Micro Garden
in the Italian Gardens. Find out more about the horticultural artwork, identifying and looking after plants, plus press your own apple juice and apple bobbing.
Multi-media performance involving community members that creatively explores the experience of ‘falling between the cracks’. Pay What You Decide. Details and tickets at cultureweston.org.uk.
Various times throughout the Festival:
