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Wigan’s One World Festival will once again be WOWing families from Wigan
Borough and beyond as it returns for a fifth year this summer.
Mesnes Park will host the biggest one day party of the summer as people
of all ages, races and places unite in a celebration of all cultures on
Sunday 5th August.
The Wigan One World Festival (WOW) is a free family event organised by
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, which invites international and local
performers of dance, music and drama to join together and celebrate
cultural diversity in the Wigan Borough. The 2006 festival was attended
by over 6,000 people.
This year twenty different countries will be represented and over thirty
groups will put on mesmerising and inspiring performances that range
from hip hop and flamenco dance to drum orchestras and gospel music.
Highlights of this year's Wigan One World Festival line up include:
• Ballet Enteredanzas: contemporary flamenco into uncharted territories;
• Academy of Show Arts: no-nonsense break dance from the streets of
Gaza;
• Acitae: the roots of Cuban music and dance ;
• Al Assala: beautifully mixing the old and new melodies of Tunisia;
• Anatolien Dreams: an exciting mix of traditional, oriental and German
street dance;
• Mauna kea: physical theatre and dance featuring costumes, flags and
fire;
• La Zona: spicing up the park with Costa Rican hip hop;
• Ecludir azul: traditional Portuguese percussion with show stopping
street dance;
• Roots & Routes: multi-cultural group with a passion for music and
dance;
• Kozman Ti Dalon: incredible Maloya music with acrobatic stage
fighting.
Chris Wyatt, Arts and Festivals Manager for Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust urges local people to join in the fun: “Sunday is traditionally a
family day and what better way to have fun with all the family than
taking a trip down to Mesnes Park for the WOW Festival? Not only can
people enjoy music and dance from talented performers of local and
international acclaim but there will also be costume making, games and a
multitude of sporting activities. One of the high points of the festival
is when all the performers join together in a colourful carnival
procession around the park.”
Local performers will also take centre stage during the day including
the Thistle Society, Anvil Street Drummers, Dynamite Dancers and the
Wigan Malayalee Association. There is also the chance for people to
peruse a variety of community stalls that will be on site. One highlight
will the chance for people to view the plans for the Mesnes Park
restoration project.
The Kick Racism message will also be alive and well at WOW this year.
Free football, rugby, netball and multi skills taster sessions will take
place for young people, thanks to the Trust’s Sports Development Unit
and Atherton Dragons ARLFC. There will also be lots of Kick Racism
prizes given away including t-shirts, signed memorabilia, tickets and
even a hamper!
Chris continued: “There is obviously a very important message behind the
event. We hope to show that for all the problems we have both locally
and across the world, different cultures and races can come together and
unite in one place and have a great time together. This is a chance for
people to come along and enjoy a picnic, have a dance, get involved in
the carnival parade or even just chill out and take in the scenery. It
is unique and it is for everyone.”
The WOW Festival takes place in Mesnes Park, Wigan, on Sunday 5th
August. Activities and performances start at 12pm and run through until
5pm. All events are free to enjoy and families are welcome.
All visitors to the WOW Festival should note that the Wigan town centre
alcohol ban also applies in Mesnes Park. Free parking around the Town
Centre is available on Sundays.
For further information see
www.wlct.org/festivalfever or contact Wigan
Leisure and Culture Trust’s Arts and Festivals team on 01942 486929.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Media and Public Relations Manager, on 01942
486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’s vision to help people across the Wigan Borough to become more
physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase
community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
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