Coming to Artrix

Holiday fun, music and dance coming up at the arts centre in Bromsgrove.

Artrix Arts Centre presents its showchoir SongStars in concert on Thursday 14th July. SongStars has been running at Artrix for four years and has two children’s choirs and one for adults. All three choirs will be performing on Artrix stage as part of their Summer Spectacular.

SongStars meets on Thursdays at Artrix and is led by professional vocal coach and professional performer, Estelle Williams, who commented: “I am always amazed at the performing talent that comes through the Artrix doors! The rehearsals for the Summer Spectacular are going really well and the show promises to be a toe-tapping evening of singing not to be missed.”

Artrix presents its SongStars Summer Spectacular on Thursday July 14th at 7.00 pm. Tickets cost £10.00 (£8.00)

The summer holidays are just around the corner and Artrix promises that families and youngsters will find plenty to do, regardless of the weather!

The ever-popular Artrix Family Fun Festival is jam-packed with creative activities for young people aged 4-16. There are two full week Stage Schools for young performers during which they will devise and rehearse a show for performance in the 300 seat theatre on the Friday evening. Back to the 60s is from July 25th to 29th and Wish Upon a Star is August 8th-12th.

If the grown-ups want to join in, there are Family Fun Fridays on July 29th, August, 5th and 12th between 10.30am and 3pm. Drop in for free craft activities and bouncy castle plus face painting for a small fee and on Fridays 5th and 12th August, there will be exciting crockery juggling on the patio throughout the day.

There are lots of one-off activities that youngsters and families can try out. New for this year are a Family Animation workshop with industry professionals Reel Access, Indian textile and pattern-inspired crafts, Family Samba Dance plus Artrix’s own energetic UNlimited Dance fusing street, contemporary and hip hop styles in a creative mix. Club Creative returns with a great mix of make and take activities and young performers can show off what they can do in the free Talent Show from 2.00-3.00pm on Friday 29th July, just call 01527 577330 to book your slot!

Families with children have a great choice when it comes to stage shows too. On July 29th Magic Russ returns to Artrix with his cheeky friend Dave the Wonder Dog. On the 2nd and 3rd August you can catch the thrilling Hollywood Special Effects Show (if you dare) and for a gentler pace, Hairy Maclary brings his friends on August 4th.

Many years have passed since the last UK gigs from the classic line-ups of Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. Tribute band Purple Zeppelin will take you back to the magic, excitement and sheer raw energy generated by those incredible musicians in a full-on show with costume changes, outrageous 70s gear and some amazing vocals.

Purple Zeppelin are performing at Artrix on Saturday 30th July at 7.30 pm. Tickets cost £18.00 a

Artrix is celebrating the breadth of dance forms from different cultures this summer with courses and performances for children and families to join and to watch.

Birmingham’s foremost South Asian arts organisation, Sonia Sabri Company will be coming to the Bromsgrove arts venue during the week beginning Monday 1st to Friday 5th August to teach Kathak Dance to youngsters aged 7-14. Kathak means ‘the one who tells the story’; it is a beautiful mixture of spoken word, rhyme, rhythm, music and movement, gesture and facial expressions, which draws inspiration from everyday life and the world around us.

Youngsters will learn the fundamentals of the Kathak dance form through classical and hybrid dance techniques, intricate spins and exhilarating foot stamping dance.

TC Peppercorn, Artrix’s Learning and Engagement Officer says “No experience is required for this dance – this is a chance for youngsters to try something a bit different and have some fun.”

The week’s course will focus on creating a short performance to be presented on Friday 5th August as a curtain raiser for SALAA’, Sonia Sabri Company’s evening performance at Artrix.

Places on the Kathak Dance Summer School, which runs from Monday 1st to Friday 5th August are £30.00. Daily sessions run from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm daily.

Sonia Sabri Company’s performance of Salaam is on Friday 5th August at 7.00 pm. Tickets cost £8.00 (£6.00 concessions) or £24.00 for a family of four.

Full details of all these events and activities and booking information can be found at www.artrix.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01527 577330.