Creative community groups from South Tyneside and beyond are being given the chance to take part in one of the Borough’s biggest events this summer.
South Tyneside Council is gearing up for this year’s Summer Parade – a key highlight of the free three-month South Tyneside Festival
And now the Council and the parade’s creative director, community based production company The Creative Seed, is encouraging groups and young people to get involved in workshops taking place in the build up to the event on Saturday 2 July.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “The workshops offer people a wonderful chance to be a part of our spectacular Summer Parade.
“Whether they want to get creative making costumes or perform on the day, they offer people the perfect opportunity to develop and showcase their artistic talents and shine in the parade as well as have a great deal of fun along the way.
“Those who attend the sessions will get to work closely with The Creative Seed as excitement builds for the event. The company’s enthusiasm and artistic flair looks set to make it one of the most impressive events of the South Tyneside Festival with a real carnival feel and brimming with energy.”
The annual Summer Parade on Saturday 2 July will leave South Shields Town Hall at 1pm, travelling along Fowler Street and Ocean Road to Bents Park, where the entertainment will continue until 4.30pm, with live music and family friendly activities in Bents Park.
The Maritime Mayhem-themed event will celebrate South Tyneside’s rich maritime history of seafaring and shipbuilding as well as the sights of the sea, with pirates, Poseidon, giant octopuses and sea serpents just some of the colourful characters taking to the streets of South Shields on the day. It also marks 150 years of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade.
Community groups can get help and guidance to develop their ideas around the parade’s nautical theme at drop in sessions taking place on Saturday 7 May and Saturday 14 May, from 1pm to 4pm, at the portacabin in Bents Park, South Shields.
The Creative Seed is also keen to hear from any dance groups which may like support to build Maritme Mayhem into their choreography. The company is working with local schools and groups over the coming months to develop ideas as well as create fabulous costumes and colourful decorations for the floats.
Garner Harris, of The Creative Seed, said: “The Summer Parade has a long standing tradition of being a real community event for South Tyneside and we hope to see as many people as possible, particularly the young ones, getting involved. The parade’s nautical theme is a great concept and we are very excited to get our work with the community in full swing.”
Groups are advised to call South Tyneside Council’s Events Team on (0191) 455 4031 to discuss entering the parade.
Those wanting support with their dance choreography, or further information about workshops, can contact The Creative Seed on creativeseed100@gmail.com or call Garner on 07725 267 478 or Sandy on 07920 107 479. The Creative Seed also runs a Carnival Club on Friday evenings at Hedworthfield Community Association with sessions including costume making (5pm), street dance (6pm) and circus skills (7pm).
The Summer Parade is organised by South Tyneside Council and supported by Port of Tyne and Colmans Fish and Chips. It forms part of the annual South Tyneside Festival, which returns in June with its exciting FREE three month line up of live music in the Amphitheatre, open air Sunday concerts and family friendly events, entertainment and activities.
The festival also includes a packed programme of brass band music by the seaside, a classical concert with Proms in the Park, Summer Charity Fayre and children’s entertainment with the return of the Kids Fest.
Further details about the entertainment on offer, including the Sunday Concert acts, will be announced in due course.