Our latest e-news, sign up here to receive a copy in your inbox.
Dear everyone,
Mintfest is set to take over Kendal for the coming August bank holiday, and it is just a short and scenic car or train ride away from what will be an overflowing cocktail of street shows, circus, installations, live music, comedy, flags and illuminations all weekend!
The Big Friday Night Opening....
Kendal town centre on 28th welcomes the beautiful fire parade from French company La Salamandra followed by an exquisite flamenco and shadow performance from Spanish group La Sonambula.
Wander down to Nobles Rest any evening between 28-30 August to see the enchanting Carabosse Fire Garden, which many of you will remember from Platt Fields in 2006. Entry is £1 Fri £2 Sat/Sun and its open 8pm-10:30pm. 
Carabosse, Platt Fields 2006 - Photo Paul Herrmann
Book now for your tickets to see Circus Ronaldo’s new show – Circenses, in Gooseholme Park - 27, 28 & 29 August. Call the Brewery Arts Centre box office: 01539 725 133 for tickets: £12 (£8 conc). Half price preview on 27th. Or click here to book online.
Kendal town centre will be brimming with street performers on Saturday 29th afternoon, with Mintfest on the Streets. On Saturday evening relax with a picnic at the Garden of Delights in Abbot Hall Park, which continues on Sunday 30th afternoon. Featuring two new shows commissioned by Lakes Alive, Plunge Boom – Trolls Kitchen and Artizani – The Cabaret of Dr Caligari.
Rhythms of the World take over the Brewery Gardens Saturday 29th evening and Sunday 30th afternoon with different sounds each day including Hank Wangford and the Lost Cowboys, Baked A La Ska and Tango Siempre. The venue is also host to the Mintroom* our late night cool-mint hangout, each day with a different theme. On Friday The Three Bonzos and a Piano will entertain and delight everyone especially fans of the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. Saturday is comedy night with comic Shazia Mirza, live acrobatics from Marcelo De Ramos, and animation from the Wright Stuff Puppet Theatre plus live music and DJ. To wind down the weekend we have a chill out Jazz night on Sunday. *Tickets available in advance from The Brewery Arts Centre.
For a full schedule for the whole of Mintfest weekend visit www.lakesalive.org
For us, Mintfest wraps up our summer 09 season of events, but before we head off to hibernate we would like to tell you about a couple of our partner events to help see you through the start of winter. Read on...
Platform 4 Piccadilly
Dance, Music, Parkour, Street Theatre......
18th - 20th September 2009
Friday 6pm - late, Saturday 1pm - 5pm, Sunday 1pm - 4pm
Discover an array of outdoor entertainment this autumn, when Platform 4 Piccadilly stages its second event in one of Manchester’s biggest and busiest open spaces. Throughout the weekend there’s a chance to relax in the city centre and enjoy some of the best entertainment around – and all for free. The programme includes an exciting mix of music dance and theatre from a host of innovative companies.
Platform 4 Piccadilly begins with music from High Tech, a steel band with a Manchester twist, playing songs by Joy Division and The Buzzcocks plus Dr Butler’s Hatstand Medicine Band, who will be providing music throughout the weekend. Friday evening includes performances by a host of companies including dance from Akademi, Marc Brew Company, stopGAP and, a unique duet between a BMX rider and a B-Boy from Kompany Malakhi - and as dusk falls the grand finale will be provided by Manchester's human fountain, “The Spurting Man”.
On Saturday, Prodigal Theatre in collaboration with Parkour originators Gravity Style present a performance inspired by free running. Dangerous and daring there’s a chance to watch the experts in action and then try it for yourself in a (safe) special workshop – places are limited so it’s strictly first come first served.
Prodigal Theatre - Photo Matthew Andrews
On the last day, don’t miss Creature Feature, a group of naughty gorillas causing mischief and mayhem and a stunning acrobatic show from French company Pret a Porter.
For a full line-up and updates check out www.xtrax.org.uk/platform4
And don’t forget the Huddersfield’s Festival of Light on December 4th with Transe Express. We will e-mail you with more details nearer the time.
Have a great Mintfest and enjoy the rest of summer!
Best wishes
Jeremy & Chloe