The Big Arts Day. A one-day festival celebrating all things artistic and creative in Swindon and everyone is invited!. AND ITS FREE!

Something special is happening this summer in Swindon and the Borough Council are behind it every step of the way.

Started via various arts partner organisations in the town coming together to help support a new campaign, an event not seen before is being put on at Lydiard Park and everyone is invited.

5 stages, 50 workshops, 100 stalls, 500 performers, 5,000 plus people (that includes all of you reading this)….and participating in the arts 3 times, that is a recipe for a great day out.

Find out more about the various events, stages and areas below:
The Main Stage
The Showcase Stage
The Dance Music Stage
The Youth Music Stage
The Comedy Tent
Sugarhill Stage
The Lydiard House Stage
Around and about at the Big Arts Day
The Site Map
The Big Arts Day Finale
Important information about the Day
What is Swindon Does Arts?
The Big Arts Day Sponsors
Dance at the Big Arts Day
Arts & Craft Marquee
Want a Stall at the Big Arts Day
The Big Arts Experiment

THE BIG ARTS DAY is exactly what is says on the tin. A day that is about celebrating and participating in the arts. That means all art forms and all are on display. Oh, and the day itself is FREE!

Dance, singing, musical instrument workshops, theatre, opera and musical theatre, street arts, circus workshops, visual art, photography, film and video workshops, a huge digital art finale, arts & crafts, poetry and writing workshops, live music, comedy and well so much more…

From the Beatbullyz playing on the Main Stage, opposite Lydiard House, to local bands performing on the Sugarhill Stage, SALOS bringing Beauty and the Beast to the day, Tanwood, Empire Theatre Company, Judith Hockaday, Janice Thompson, Stage Coach, Music Alive, all putting on performances on the Showcase theatre stage.

Swindon Dance, Hotsteppers, The Friday Night Project, Allsorts, Masters of Dance, Dorcan School and more bringing a whole flavour of dance moves, steps and stunning choreography as well as workshops to get involved in.

Over 20 youth and local bands will take to the various stages across the site, including the Alfonz, Matt Kilford, the Beatbullyz and a 15 piece Jazz/Swing band. With a string orchestra, stage combat, Swindon Samba, Dorcan Steel Band and more performing around the park, at every turn there will be something happening. Sponsored by Commonweal School, the Music Service and Sugarhill Festival.

Street theatre from Sixth Sense Theatre for Young People and Stars Under the Stairs – Youth Service Drama Group will accompany a whole host of activities that will literally jump out at you

Anyone For Tennis? The interactive comedy tennis game, stilt Footballers, Sparky The Robot, the big bad Wolf hiding in the forest, the half man, half goat Satyrs, The acrobatic Bubble Story, Circus Workshop & Stiltbikes and Swerve Dance Company performing when you wont expect them to.

With art everywhere, trails in the forest, poetry and storytelling in the Walled Garden and Drum Workshops, The Create Studios Mobile, the Boom Box, Sangita Arts Workshops, theatre workshops by Empire Theatre Company, Rock & Roll Music workshops, Dr Joel musical linguistic workshops, Debutots workshops for young children and spray paint demonstrations in conjunction with Inkspot you have to get involved some way.

With a performance of Beauty and the Beast with the full Disney costumes, the first time is has appeared outside of the West End, in front of the House starting off the evening performances, there is something for every member of the family.

Suju nightclub are bringing a full on Dance Music session in the Dance tent, with sound supplied by LFO, the Comedy tent sponsored by Braydon Forest Theatre with two, 2 hour comedy slots, with Mark Oliver, Ivo Graham, Andrew O’Neill, Ian Stone, David Morgan, Beth Black, Tom Deacon and Tony Law.

Comedy hits the main stage with Mitch Benn in the evening as we all get ready for Time and Tide, a digital spectacular ending the day as Lydiard house will literally come alive with images dancing and moving as the house is part of a specially commissioned arts project that you will never have seen before and wont see again.

You can get involved before the day by taking part in the Big Arts Experiment, creating bunting to beat the current world record. Sponsored by the Samaritans.

Focussing on the Swindon Does Arts Campaign to raise awareness and participation in the arts, The Big Arts Day is all about just that. From 12pm to 11pm you won’t want to miss being part of this day.

With food, bars an Arts and Craft Marquee, sponsored by Inkspot, stalls selling all kinds of things, performances happening everywhere, this really is the event of the year.

There is still time to get involved, take part, get a stall or well what ever you think. Email hello@swindondoesarts.co.uk.

Saturday 10th July 2010
Lydiard Park
12.00pm till 11.00pm

All enquiries for the Big Arts Day please email hello@swindondoesarts.co.uk.

Join the facebook group now and keep up-to-date on announcements as they happen