Juice Festival, NewcastleGateshead’s annual festival celebrating the creativity of children and young people returns this autumn half term for nine days of events, performances and experiences produced by, for and with children and young people.
Taking place from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2015, NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s Juice Festival is a multi-arts festival in cultural venues, libraries and public spaces in Newcastle and Gateshead featuring dance, performance, exhibitions, workshops as well inclusive events for children, young people and families with additional needs.
As well as the work created by children and young people, Juice Festival features work by regional, national and international artists.
The theme for this year’s festival is Seen and Heard; presenting performances and events in unusual locations whilst reflecting the festival’s approach to showcasing the talents and creativity of local children and young people.
Highlights of the nine day festival include:
Capture: Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2015, various locations in NewcastleGateshead
Young people from Tyneside Cinemas’ Factory group – in partnership with artist Juan delGado – present a series of ‘pop up’ screenings around NewcastleGateshead based on images, conversations and events ‘seen and heard’ in the city.
Boy Meets Girl: Friday 30 October, Newcastle city centre
Follow the joy, hope and heartbreak of looking for love with Zest Theatre’s new outdoor production, Boy Meets Girl. Audiences can listen to the innermost thoughts of the Boy or the Girl through wireless headphones as they express their feelings for one another through dance, theatre and silent disco technology.
All Night, Tonight: Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2015, various locations in NewcastleGateshead
Juice Festival has commissioned exciting young company Thimble Collective to produce an online TV station that will broadcast from www.juicefestival.co.uk and at secret locations throughout the festival. Thimble Collective will work with schools, families and young people to create a chaotic and surreal underground TV show for children who can’t (or won’t) sleep.
Day of the Dead: Family Celebration: 31 October, ¡VAMOS! Social, Newcastle
Juice Festival partners with ¡VAMOS! – NewcastleGateshead’s annual festival celebrating Spanish and Portugese speaking cultures – for a special Day of the Dead-themed event for families including live music, food, fun workshops and face painting. Latin America’s most popular holiday, Day of the Dead is a colourful and vibrant holiday full of joy and celebration.
Just Jam International: Saturday 31 October & Sunday 1 November, Dance City and Northumbria University
Some of the worlds best B-Boys and B-Girls once again descend on NewcastleGateshead for Juice Festival’s Just Jam International, a weekend of hip hop culture including dance, music and breakdance workshops. This is a rare opportunity to see some of the best international breakers perform in the UK.
Chris Batstone, artistic director of Juice Festival said: “Juice Festival is all about putting children and young people at the forefront. We want to nurture and develop the next generation of artists, performers, producers and writers.
“Providing children and young people with an outlet to be creative and express themselves leads to inspiring and original work. We want them to tell the stories that matter to them and help shape the future of the festival. We know that all the children and young people involved in Juice will build in confidence, leadership and self expression though arts and cultural activity.”
Juice – NewcastleGateshead’s festival for children and young people takes place from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2015. For more information about the nine day programme and to buy tickets, visit www.juicefestival.co.uk
NewcastleGateshead is fast becoming the destination of choice for families during autumn half term thanks to Juice Festival’s programme of events that cater for early years, through to young adults and families.
Follow Juice Festival on twitter @JuiceFestival or like the Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/JuiceFestival.NG