Burnley’s 6th Annual Community Festival will be held in Queens Park on 31st August, 12 noon – 6pm.
This year’s festival will be even more action packed than in previous years with the Veka Main Stage showcasing performances from the Manchester Samba band to the acoustic melodies of Lucy and the Caterpillar. Sketch is in its third and final year and professional artists will be working with young people over the summer months to produce what is expected to be and explosive performance! We have also secured locally based band Say, Burnley Youth Theatre and a youth dance performance.
As in previous years the festival will have a community tent where local community organisations can promote the work that they have been doing. It’s free to book a table, all we ask is that you make your display as interactive and engaging as possible. For more information about booking a table please contact Alyson Dobson on 01282 664417 or email adobson@burnley.gov.uk
Veka main stage
Lucy and the Caterpillar
"The hotly tipped Lucy & the Caterpillar has an enchanting style, captivating the audience with her perky reflective musings of alcoholic dreams and matters of the heart" XFM.
Lucy & The Caterpillar, (Born in Burnley) Manchester’s most exciting new solo artist, released her single Lucy’s Opinion on 28th April 2008. The single is available in a limited edition hand stitched felt sleeve, designed and made by Lucy herself, as well via download.
Lucy is an incredibly talented 20year old musician from Manchester who has been making waves in the last year alongside her ‘caterpillar’, the pet name for her trusty acoustic guitar.
A poster girl for the vintage inspired, Lucy is a modern day Mancunian Jean Seberg. Taking inspiration from everyday situations, Lucy writes touching retro pop songs. Live gigs see Lucy taking to the stage equipped with her ‘caterpillar’, her hand knitted lucky mascot Olivia and a bucket load of wit, selected future shows will see her heading out on the road with a full band.
SAY
Say are one of the only bands in Britain to be operating successfully OUTSIDE of the music industry and have made a conscious effort to form a whole new ethos in music presentation to the masses.
Say have a global fan base and have recently had an incredible rise in popularity in German, so much so they are currently promoting and selling their new German single ‘Yr Kicks’ with outstanding reviews.
Say operate a fair-trade policy so all money made from sales go directly back into music production. They aim to keep their carbon footprint at next to nothing by using recycled paper and vegetable ink for any promotional material.
Their music is some of the most original, memorable and accessible since The Beatles and The Beach Boys.
Manchester School of Samba
Manchester School of Samba (MSS) formed in March 1995 to foster the appreciation of Brazilian Carnival culture through rhythm, melody, dance and simple costumes. MSS have provided an often life enhancing introduction to percussion and dance for hundreds of people as well as an opportunity for some to build on their knowledge and strengths and be inspired to subsequently form their own bands. We still focus on carnival art forms, and are open to all people. We currently have 70+ fully fledged members including dancers and drummers. For special occasions we also like to include a brass section and puppeteers.
Sketch
Sketch is a three-year arts project commissioned by Burnley Borough Council, BPRCVS, LCC and the Lottery Fund.
It was designed for young people aged 11 – 16 from the three priority areas in Burnley: Stoneyholme with Daneshouse; Stoops with Hagher Clough; Burnley Wood.
The aim of Sketch is to deliver a programme of creative workshops, devised through consultation with young people living in the priority neighbourhoods. The workshops are designed to supports and empower young people through the significant changes happening in Burnley. The project aims to help young people to ‘sketch’ out and inspire their future, provide them with important life skills and a more empathetic view of their present and future environment.
Last year Sketch had a very varied plan of summer workshops with some great results culminating in performances at the Community festival. The young people had the opportunity to show off their new skills on stage whilst having a fantastic time.
Now in it’s final year Sketch will be attempting to deliver an even more daring programme of events to showcase at this years festival.
BYT
Burnley Youth Theatre (BYT) was founded in 1973. Today the organisation is heralded as one of the most advanced youth theatres in the country and is at the forefront of community cohesion activities with young people in Burnley.
BYT works with an average of 450 young people a week age 5 - 25 years. The year round programme encompasses all art forms through a range of training workshops, projects and partnership schemes.
The Community festival is funded and supported by the agencies highlighted at the bottom of this page. Year on year the event has been growing with more activities and performances being provided. To ensue we can continue to build on the work undertaken in the last four years and work towards a more su stainable community event, this year we are asking for donations towards the running costs, which equate to over £30,000. Donation Buckets are clearly marked and are available on all entrance to the park. Thank you for your support
Organised by Burnley Council and supported by Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale community Voluntary Sector (BPRCVS),
Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF),
Sketch,
On Yer Bike Cycle and Veka.