north west for 2012

Blaze Festival is an explosive new festival of music, performance and urban art that is part of WE PLAY Expo, the North West Closing event for London 2012 at Preston Guild.

This year’s FREE festival features work from local and global artists across three stages with headliners Kid British (pictured), Skittles Live Band, Riot Jazz, Strategy (Broke ‘n’ £nglish) and Natives.

• Saturday 8 September – 12 – 11pm
• Sunday 9 September – 12 – 9.30pm

Saturday kicks off with an urban theme as Spearfish present Urban Culture Jam: live demos and workshops in free running, skate boarding, BMX, graffiti art and urban dance. Young producers from Clayton-le-Moors present the premiere of The Chase and Fallacy hosts live performances from emerging local bands. Under the Town presents Fashion Off - accessories and outfits created and styled by young people from Blackpool – and Move Off - a performance piece that combines sport and dance, choreographed by Sarah Jane Lockwood. Moradokmai Theatre Community from Thailand present their brand new contemporary musical ‘Daddy! Is That You?’ followed by a workshop. The urban culture theme continues into the evening with Estate Recordings, bringing Skittles and Strategy from Broke ‘n’ £nglish to the stage plus an exclusive screening of Bassweight: a history of Dubstep.

Sunday’s flavour is eclectic, with Bandstand Marathon bringing together musicians from across the North West, featuring The Riot Jazz Brass Band, Get Up Stand Up, and our very own unique hip-hop/jazz collective the Boom Bike Big Band. Boxing meets music, dance and film in the premiere of Punchline, plus a special presentation of Handbag, a celebratory gem of a performance directed by Geraldine Pilgrim. Headliners on Sunday evening are Kid British, fresh from supporting The Stone Roses in Heaton Park this summer, plus Natives a five piece rock band who burst onto the UK rock scene in early 2012, and The Colours, an up and coming new band from Blackpool.

Throughout the weekend you can relax to chilled out beats and acoustic sets in the Blaze Lounge, where Blaze Bloggers will be in conversation with artists and performers and you’ll be invited to join online as part of #media2012. You’ll also find visual art activities to inspire and delight, including Sit and Knit and extraordinary hair art from Osadia. Plus Street Quest offers you the chance to take part in a new interactive street game around Preston and become a time traveller for the day.

Suitable for all age groups.

Blaze Festival is part of the WE PLAY Expo - a whole weekend of unmissable free events celebrating our region’s unique contribution to London 2012. Everyone’s invited to join the party in Preston 7 – 9 September 2012.