The Quayside Festival is Bridgwater’s new free outdoor summer festival with an array of live music, arts and entertainment across eight locations in the centre of the town. The festival ,set for Saturday 29th July 2017, will celebrate Bridgwater’s and Sedgemoor’s diverse and creative culture and showcase both local talent and national artists. Festival locations will include Blake Gardens, West Quay, Fore Street, Angel Place, King Square, Bridgwater Arts Centre, Engine Room and Bridgwater Library.
The organisers, Fuse Performance, are working with the Bridgwater Cultural Partnership and local artists, creating an exciting programme of live music, street theatre, dance, performances, circus and acrobatics, aerial trapeze, puppetry and children’s activities. There will be free shows and interactive workshops with something for everyone.
Performers
Performances include Sunken Circus stunning aerial performance in Angel Place; music bands Shoot the Moon and The Gin bowlers; Carmen the escapologist with an operatic finale; Cabin Fever shows and maritime mayhem walkabout pirates from the company Bell and Bullock; Inner State Theatre Company with Kevin the Seagull and the Boat on Legs, Merlin Cadogan semifinalist on Britain’s Got Talent; Hotch Potch On The High Seas Stilts and Dan Stotesbury The Shlockmeister interactive games.
Throughout the Festival, there will be Living Statues, Punch and Judy shows, Stilt-walkers, Sutton Household Archery and medieval sword games, free arts and crafts workshops, skiffle, local acoustic bands and musicians, face painting and circus antics workshops.
Comedy
Before the outdoor festival begins at 12, start the day 11a.m.-11.55 a.m. with a free family-friendly comedy show The Three Musketeers at the Bridgwater Arts Centre from CBeebies’ favourites and fresh from Justin’s House and Spot Bots.
Picnic
Bring a picnic to King’s Square and enjoy Garsington Opera screened performance of Semele at 2pm, Handel’s beautiful touching and humorous love story. Take part in creative workshops and enjoy local musicians.
Music
Have fun making a musical jingle for Sedgemoor FM Radio at the Engine Room or make and perform in a nautical themed Victorian animation in Blake Gardens.
Artists
There will be a visual trail created by a team of artists between the sites of the festival funded by the Arts Council of England.
Food
Enjoy a feast of food and drink from local producers and the best outdoor arts shows served a la carte.
After Party
After the outdoor festival finishes at 6pm, come and enjoy a night of dancing at the Bridgwater Arts Centre with local DJ’s: Global Jukebox, Red Shadow Jamaican Sound System and The Lone Arranger at the free Bridgwater Quayside After Party 6 p.m. – midnight. Book your free tickets at the Bridgwater Arts Centre or visit one of the local venues for live music, we hope you enjoy the festival.
Website
To keep up to date with the Quayside plans go to the website below
www.bridgwaterquaysidefestival.co.uk
Town Backing
Bridgwater Town Council Leader Cllr Brian Smedley said “Our Council is happy to be part of the sponsorship team for this event along with Sedgemoor District Council and we are particularly pleased that the Bridgwater Cultural Partnership is playing a key part in this. The idea of a summer festival gained impetus 2 years ago when the Cultural Partners organised the Big Bash in Castle street which proved extremely popular. The idea of a Quayside theme perfectly compliments our community’s aspirations to once again turn our face to our nautical and riverside heritage. We are sure that Fuse Performance’s Festival will provide something for everybody and taps into Bridgwater’s special sense of community, culture and creativity. “
To take a trip to the Big Bash click here.