14.02.2022
3 min read
Free celebration event in Winsford town centre this March
Winsford Cross Shopping Centre is to be transformed next month for a special day of live music, visual art and dance to celebrate community unity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A free celebratory event with performance, music and a parade will take place in the town square and outside Fountain Court on Saturday 19 March. The day is being presented as part of Winsford Creates – Adventures through the Arts, a celebration of local arts and culture.
From 11am-7pm, families, young people and the whole community are invited to come enjoy an exciting schedule of live entertainment from local and regional artists. It is followed by an evening of music and art at Eve’s on Delamere Street from 7.30pm.
Winsford Creates is organised jointly by Cheshire Dance, Cine Window Winsford, Crosshatch Studios and Adventures in Winstopia and supported by Winsford Town Council and Arts Council England. It is part of the borough wide Reopening and Recovery programme funded by the Governments Additional Restrictions Grant to Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Cllr Nathan Pardoe, Mayor of Winsford, said: “Following the terrible few years with the pandemic, this day is a wonderful opportunity to showcase all that Winsford has to be positive about – great people, great community spirit and a real sense of togetherness.”
Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We are looking forward to this wonderful programme as we start redevelopment of the town centre. Saturday 19 March will be a day for people to unite as a community enjoying fantastic live entertainment, following a time when our lives were more restricted. I look forward to seeing more activity as part of Winsford Creates.”
Adam Holloway, director of Cheshire Dance, said: “Winsford Creates is a celebration for our town. There will be something for everyone to enjoy. Cheshire Dance are sure Winsford Creates will offer families, young people and the whole community real adventures through the arts.”
Crowds are encouraged to arrive at 11am to see Winsford’s ‘Flags for Hope’ parading through the town centre. Flags for Hope visually represent the community’s stories through the pandemic, illustrated in four giant batik flags by Cheshire Dance and Cabasa Carnival Arts with the help of Winsford residents.
Following the parade, the batiks will arrive at the music stage where Cllr Nathan Pardoe will open the event in the town square.
Live performances include hip-hop from DOPE Male Performance Company, a raucous drumming riot from Brazilian inspired Juba & Jubacana, parading mythical birds from world dance company Movema, dance and storytelling from Kindred Folk Dance Theatre, as well as live music from local bands such as The Zangwills, Golty Farabeau and Dan Hollinrake.
In addition, there will be two dance and storytelling performances of new family show ‘Lost’ by Kindred Folk Dance Theatre at Winsford Library.
Crosshatch will also be offering artistic activities on the day and Cine Window will host Winstopia.FM, created by ‘Adventures in Winstopia’. These unique “broadcasts” will share an imaginary narrative created from the real voices, images, and stories of Winsford that asks: “What will Winsford look like in 50 years’ time?” New “broadcasts” will be added to the Cine Window each day throughout the following week.
The party continues at 7.30pm in collaboration with Eve’s on Delamere Street where Adventures in Winstopia invites the community to continue their adventures through a mix of live music, artwork giveaways for all…and pizza!
Cath Campbell, of Cine Window, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Winsford Creates – Adventures through the Arts programme as it brings together so many different artforms and will be a real celebration for Winsford. We’re pleased to be associated with Crosshatch Creatives who are offering further adventures for design and making personalised batiks.”
Roger McKinley, creative producer of Adventures in Winstopia, said: “We set out to uncover what kind of creative energy flows through Winsford, where it happens, and how best to share that with the world. We have been overwhelmed by what we found. Winsford is crackling with creativity, energy, and drive.
“Through support from New Images and a collaboration with the Cine Window and Eve’s, we’ve created a new radio station that shares just some of that abundance through the lens of the past, present, and future. Find out more on the 19 March at WinstopiaFM.net and in the Cine Window.”
Winsford Creates forms part of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Reopening and Recovery programme, and more information on this will be made available.
For more details and to see the line-up of the day, keep an eye on the “Winsford Creates” Facebook Page in the run up to the event: www.facebook.com/winsfordcreates.
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