An arts organisation is offering families a series of free festivals over a five-day period.
Barra Culture has created Playcations for Barrovians to enjoy arts and culture in their local neighbourhoods.
The playcations are completely free family-friendly mini-festivals and will be held from 11am – 4pm in Barrow Park on August 17; Walney Community Centre on August 18; Cavendish Park on August 19; Hindpool Urban Park on August 20; and Ormsgill Playing Field on August 21.
Local people will be able to enjoy music performances from trios of musicians from The Northern Chamber Orchestra, who will entertain audiences as well as getting people’s opinions on what music they’d like to hear at future events.
Popular local saxophonist Emma Howarth, who has performed to critical acclaim all around the world, will be jazzing it up and chatting to local people as she goes. CanDo FM has created a Barrow Summer Playcation Playlist and will be at the events pumping out the music for everyone to dance along to while they play, chat and have fun.
As well as the music, people of all ages can get creative with drop-in arts and crafts sessions, drama games, and animation workshops. There’ll be the opportunity to make noise from a chopping board orchestra or, for a more reflective experience, create poetry guided by expert practitioners.
There will be games to play and plenty of coffee provided by The Well. The events will be supported and run with Barrow arts organisations, artists and practitioners including Signal Film and Media, Art Gene, Full Of Noises, Theatre Factory and The Forum.
The events will all be undercover and will take place come rain or shine.
Daniel Tyler-McTighe, director of Barra Culture, said: “We’ve been getting to know local people and organisations over the past year and it’s going to be fantastic to celebrate with everyone as we start to emerge in our different ways from lockdown.
“There will be a party-like atmosphere at these events in a completely safe way so that everyone can enjoy themselves in their own local neighbourhoods. And don’t miss the free cakes.”