Blaze develops the skills and talents of young producers, giving young people from across Lancashire and the North West the chance to get involved in London 2012.
This ambitious, youth led cultural programme, making connections between sport and arts, the physical and virtual worlds. In the lead up to 2012, young people have been realising their creative aspirations, producing a dynamic programme of new work each summer to excite, surprise and engage residents and visitors to Lancashire and Blackpool, leading towards and culminating in 2012 with the Blaze Festival.
Blaze Festival fuses art, dance, music, technology, fashion, urban sport, spoken word and more. Produced and programmed by young people, it is part of the WE PLAY Expo, 7 – 9 September 2012.
Leading up to the Festival is the Trailblazer Programme – a range of exciting events and new opportunities for young people across the region.
Blaze is on the hunt for talented young musicians aged between 13-19 in Lancashire and Blackpool to take part in Blaze Boom Bike Orchestra, a 30-strong ensemble of mobile musicians on bikes. Or Urban Art, an ambitious performance project involving BMXs, skaters, free runners, graffiti artists, DJs and VJs.
If you’re from Blackpool or the Fylde Coast and interested in movement or sport, then join Blaze for In the Spotlight, a dance performance as part of Under the Town Festival at Grundy Art Gallery.
If digital technology is your thing, then why not become a Blaze Blogger and get involved in recording, documenting and reviewing Blaze?
Sat 4 Aug 2012 at Grundy Art Gallery
Sat 19 May 2012 to Sun 2 Sep 2012 at Various locations across the North West
Mon 27 Aug 2012 at Accrington Town Centre
Sat 8 Sep 2012 12.30pm - 3.15pm and 3 more at Preston
Sat 8 Sep 2012 to Sun 9 Sep 2012 12noon to 11pm at Avenham & Miller Parks
Blaze is a partnership project led by Lancashire County Council with Blackpool Council and Creative Lancashire. It is funded by Legacy Trust UK, Arts Council England and Youth Music.
Blaze is part of WE PLAY, the North West cultural legacy programme for the Cultural Olympiad, funded by Legacy Trust UK, creating a lasting impact from London 2012 by funding ideas and local talent to inspire creativity across the UK.
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Check out the latest news and blog posts about London 2012 in the North West and find out how you can get involved in the celebrations.
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Posted 30 January 2013 in Art & Culture, WE PLAY Challenge
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Posted 3 September 2012 by Tom Russotti in Art & Culture, What's On
Posted 27 August 2012 by Ash Murphy in Art & Culture, WE PLAY Challenge, What's On
An amazing range of London 2012 events are taking place all over the North West. Most of them are free and there’s something for everyone.
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Sign up for the WE PLAY Challenge to take part in an Olympic journey like no other, right here in the North West! Join in, take part and turn up to play your part in London 2012.
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Become part of a living artwork capturing Players’ connections with London 2012 in the North West. Upload your handprint now, watch the artwork grow and earn points in the WE PLAY Challenge!
Describe what the word 'play' means to you for a film out later this year and earn more points in the WE PLAY Challenge!
The modern Games is a fusion of sport and art, and the North West is delivering a cultural programme to celebrate like never before.
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The Games has brought a wealth of opportunities for businesses in the North West.
With sporting events, Training Camps in the region and fantastic athletes coming from the North West, London 2012 is about far more than the capital!
See how the North Westis playing it's part...
Some great sporting talent from the North West is heading to London to represent Team GB in both the Paralympic and Olympic Games.
Old Trafford is playing host to nine football matches during the Games, including two semi-final games.
Passing through eight North West towns on its tour of the country, a host of celebrations and personalities will blaze through the region.
Nations from all over the globe are making use of our top class facilities to train for victory.
Share your stories and photos online, and leave your mark on London 2012