Generik Vapeur - Summer 2012

One of France's premier street theatre companies, Generik Vapeur, has been commissioned by ZEPA to create a new show which will be shown by all nine ZEPA partners during 2011 and 2012.

The ZEPA partnership is an Interreg funded four year Franco/British cross border partnership focusing on the exchange of expertise and ideas in street theatre. Southampton City Council is the lead partner for the city and work with The Nuffield Theatre to deliver the events.

Currently in development, it promises to be another spectacular visual feast for audiences in Southampton in summer 2012!

Stand by for more information.........!

Street Theatre - Mid November 2011

The Nuffield Young People's Theatre Company will create a piece of street theatre around the theme of borrowing to link in with The Nuffield Theatre's Christmas show 'The Borrowers'. Partnerships will be made between musicians and visual arts to help the group explore new ways of performing in the streets - 'borrowing' public space to perform.

The piece is likely to take place in Southampton's Guildhall Square in mid November.......watch this space!

No Fit State Circus come to town!

On Saturday 9th July Southampton was treated to some of the best contemporary circus in the country, when No Fit State performed their newly commissioned show Barricade.

The 6,000 strong crowd in Guildhall Square were wowed by a huge array of circus skills, special effects and tremendous original live music, all rounded off with amazing pyrotechnics!

In the week running up No Fit State offered free workshops exploring circus skills such as lifts, balances, trapeze and tightrope work - a brilliant way for those interested in the very physical aspects of performance to gain experience and knowledge from an internationally renowned company.

On the night The Nuffield Young People's Theatre Compnay warmed the audience up with some street theatre based on the themes of the show, while Maison Foo - coming to The Nuffield this autumn with 'Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin' - entertained and delighted people with their Mobile Library, collecting memories on film from members of the public.

For more photos of Barricade from Southampton City Council, go to: http://ge.tt/8suCE16

Events May - July 2011

All these great Art At The Heart events take place in Guildhall Square, Southampton SO14 7FP

ALL THE EVENTS FREE

Bollywood Baraat Saturday 21 May 8pm - 9.30pm

Bollywood Baraat tells a tale as old as time - boy meets girl, they fall in love, a wedding date is set and everyone celebrates with over-the-top song-and-dance numbers in best Bollywood style!

For more information visit the Bollywood Baraat blog post or http://www.bollywoodbaraat.com/

Giant Rangoli Saturday 11 June All Day

In Indian cultures, all guests and visitors occupy a very special place and a Rangoli (row of colours), is an expression of this warm hospitality. Art Asia needs your help to make a Giant Rangoli and welcome Guildhall Square.

For more information visit the Giant Rangoli blog post or http://www.artasia.org.uk/

Barricade – NoFit State Circus Saturday 9 July Time TBC

Guildhall Square will be transformed into a spectacular aerial playground on July 9, with circus imagery, breathtaking aerial and acrobatic skills, amazing pyrotechnics and inspiring live music.

For more information visit the Barricade blog post or http://www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk/

Barricade - NoFit State Circus

Saturday 9 July 2011

Guildhall Square, Southampton

Time: TBC

www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk

Guildhall Square will be transformed into a spectacular aerial playground on July 9, with circus imagery, breathtaking aerial and acrobatic skills, amazing pyrotechnics and inspiring live music in BARRICADE – a celebration of the mighty human effort needed to overcome the walls, barriers and obstacles we find, or place, in our path.

Two trucks block Guildhall square. They disgorge their contents of wire and tyres, dividing the square in two, creating an obstacle to normal paths and daily routines. Suddenly, a storm is rising. People are building a barricade to defend themselves...

NoFit State Circus bring their signature theatrical chaos to Southampton for one night only, brought to you by team behind 2009’s Midsummer Dreams and 2010’s Alive & Ablaze. This family event is FREE. For more details visit www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk.

Nuffield Theatre, Southampton City Council and Zepa

Giant Rangoli

Saturday 11 June 2011
Guild Hall Square, Southampton
All Day

In a race against the clock ‘art attack’ style come along with your friends and family (all ages welcome) and get creative using unusual materials such as lentils and spices!

In Indian cultures, all guests and visitors occupy a very special place and a Rangoli (meaning row of colours), is an expression of this warm hospitality. A Rangoli is a geometric design, traditionally drawn on the floor outside a front door using colourful powders to welcome people into a building.

Art Asia is working with the leading Rangoli artist, Ranbir Kaur. Ranbir has produced the largest Rangoli for the Guinness Book of Records. Her work has been displayed all over the UK and she has toured with Womad Festival creating work at their various sites around the world.

www.artasia.org.uk

Art Asia

Bollywood Baraat

Saturday 21 May 2011
Guildhall Square, Southampton
8pm - 9.30pm

http://www.bollywoodbaraat.com/

Bollywood Baraat tells a tale as old as time - boy meets girl, they fall in love, a wedding date is set and everyone celebrates with over-the-top song-and-dance numbers in best Bollywood style!

But on the very day of the wedding, as the traditional baraat (carnival-style wedding procession) winds from Palmerston Park to Guildhall Square, a rumour spreads through the crowd – the wedding’s off.

Bollywood Baraat is a spectacular outdoor performance in Southampton’s city centre. This all-singing, all-dancing show blends live theatre and film to create Southampton’s very own Bollywood film. Join the bride, groom and their crazy relatives for Southampton’s biggest wedding of the year.

Art Asia, City Eye, The Nuffield Theatre and John Hansard Gallery

Spectacular Guilhall Square Launch!

To celebrate the launch of the Guildhall Square on 12^th & 13^th November, French fire alchemists Compagnie Carabosse will create a magical and awe-inspiring fire garden, with dancing fire sculptures, mysterious fiery engines and cascades of candles. Spend as long as you’d like exploring this gloriously atmospheric feast for the senses – the event is FREE and is suitable for all ages.

Look out for more information on this blog, in the press or at www.southampton.gov.uk/whatson.

This event is brought to you by The Nuffield Theatre, Southampton City Council and ZEPA (European Zone of Artistic Projects, supported by the European Union as part of the INTERREG IV A France (Channel) – England programme).

FREE family event in Mayflower Park!

From the team that brought you last year's brilliant Midsummer Dreams...

The Nuffield and Southampton City Council are teaming up with P&O Cruises to bring you JOURNEY INTO THE BLUE, a free family event in Mayflower Park on April 10, celebrating the launch of P&O's new superliner Azura.

We are delighted to bring French acrobatic geniuses Les 3 Points de Suspension to Southampton with their incredible show JOURNEY ON THE EDGE OF THE END OF THE WORLD - a lunatic, pythonesque story featuring jaw-dropping human catapults and bouncing stilts. The show will start at 6.30pm.

Then, from 8pm, a unique chance to see the sparkling naming ceremony - led by Darcey Bussell - for Azura live on the big screen, followed by a firework finale.

There will be lots happening in Mayflower Park from 5pm onwards - dance performances, music and a funfair. See you there!

For full details click here to visit the Nuffield website.

Southampton Mela Festival finished for another year...

Despite the drizzling rain 20,000 people enjoyed the many highlights including first-rate music from groups such as Botown, Indus and Navrang and stunning dance performances from Desi Nach, Kala the Arts and Rakhi Sood.
For more about this year’s artists click here»

Also many local groups and school wowed the crowds with their performances including Bitterne Park Secondary School, Bevois Town Primary School, Portchester Secondary School, Fair Oak Junior School, Marys CE Primary School, Sherborne House school, Southampton Puja and Cultural Association and Malayalee Association of Southampton.

Natures Icon’s, an arts piece on stilts moved through the crowds delighting young and old, whilst the Dhol Drummers got feet tapping and arms waving with their catchy rhythms.

An amazing day was had by all and Art Asia would like to thank everyone involved including our sponsors, workers, performers and most importantly the audience.

Below are links from different people who attended this year’s Mela. If you have photos or footage you would like to share please contact lucy.attrill@artasia.org.uk or join the Southampton Mela Festival 2009 group on www.flickr.com.

Click here for youtube footage

Click here for the official photos and others on Southampton Mela Festival 2009 flickr group
Click here for Southampton Mela Festival photos by Gerry Walden
Click here for Southampton Mela Festival photos by Aun Southampton