Lancashire Encounter weekend comes to the Flag Market in the city centre next weekend, with a host of activities designed to inspire, discover and experience all through performance and creative imagination.
AdvertisementEach day of the weekend will focus around one event in particular, Saturday being Preston Pride and Sunday being Run Preston.
All events will be held in the region of the Flag Market and are free of charge.
The People’s Canopy is a new and exciting highlight for this year’s Lancashire Encounter, and to see what else will be brightening up the city that weekend and for more information about each event, check out our handy guide to the top nine events of the day below.
Saturday September 26 10.30am until 9pm
Preston Pride
The highlight of Saturday’s line-up, Preston Pride, takes over the Flag Market next Saturday.
For more information on Preston Pride, read our preview here.
Long Walk Chinese Orchestra Small Covered Market, Birley Street
This orchestra is formed of a mixture of Eastern and Western European musicians playing traditional Chinese music using traditional Chinese instruments. Based in Morecambe Bay, they got their name from “The Long Walk” a collaborative musical response to the 2004 Cockle Pickers tragedy in the area. Their instruments include an Erhu (2 string violin), Dizi (Bamboo flute), Liuqin (small lute), Ruan (lute) and a Guzheng (harp).
Times: 12.30 to 1.15pm, 2.15pm to 3pm, 5.15pm to 6pm.
Salsa Northwest Dance Showcase People’s Canopy, Flag Market
Take part in a free beginners workshop for yourself before watching a performance combining a mix of Irish and African Zumba dance through to Latino style moves. The Boot Camp for beginners workshop will be taught by John Seddon, Giuseppe Palumbo and Uncle Phil Kaila and will teach Salsa, Zouk and Bachata styles respectively. These are open to everyone, however a more advanced dance class is available at a cost of £8. These will be held in Evoque nightclub and be carried out by international teachers. For more information on the advanced classes, visit the website here.
Times: Free Workshops 11am to 12,30pm. Performance 3pm to 5pm
Picture Lancashire People’s Canopy, Flag Market
Watch artist Tracey Eastham create cutouts and intricate paper designs and silhouettes of Lancashire. This opportunity will be a chance to contribute to an ongoing community picture of Lancashire.
Times: 11am to 12pm, 1pm to 3pm, 4pm to 6pm.
This event is also taking place on Sunday. Visit our Sunday listings here. Visit the official listings at the bottom of the page for new timings.
Spirit of Preston Past Old Post Office, Birley Street
This audio and visual experience allows you to bring to life certain characters from Preston’s history and learn and engage with their stories. A host will assist either individuals or pairs through the journey.
Times: 11am to 5pm.
This event is also taking place on Sunday. Visit our Sunday listings here. Visit the official listings at the bottom of the page for new timings.
Shadow Boxing – Adam York Gregory, Light Up Lancaster Old Post Office, Birley Street
The hidden world of shadows is used to explore modern fairy stories and allow you to make them come alive with movement and torchlight. Each box tells a new story which will project around you in the Shadow Boxing experience.
Times: 4pm to 8pm
This event is also taking place on Sunday. Visit our Sunday listings here. Visit the official listings at the bottom of the page for new timings.
Open Studios – The Birley First Birthday The Birley Artist Studios & Project Space, Birley Street
In celebration of the studio’s first birthday, the public is offered the chance to explore the facilities and look at complete and works-in-progress pieces of art and project. The Birley Artist Studios is a not-for-profit, artist led community organisation who host exhibitions and workshops throughout the year.
Times: 12pm to 6pm.
The Preston Bill Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Market Street
The Preston Bill is a solo performance telling one man’s story reflecting on 80 years’ of history and politics in the city. The events of his life, and the events going on around him are told through a single perspective documenting an entire life.
Times: 2pm to 2.45pm
Harland and Wilkinson; Tales of Wonder Walkabout, Flag Market
A blend of live music, theatre and visual arts brings to live folk stories and tales as anthropologists ‘Harland and Wilkinson’ reveal a collection of superstitions through performance. Hosted by Bordello Theatre, you are invited to join their mystical explorations in the family-friendly show.
Times: 11am to 6pm.
This event is also taking place on Sunday. Visit our Sunday listings here. Visit the official listings at the bottom of the page for new timings.
In Striker’s Footsteps Dean’s court chambers, Flag Market
Lancashire Tales, old and new, will be told through projection, imagination and visual arts as Jacqueline Harris performs through projection of contemporary voices. This first hand account looks at ghostly encounters here in Lancashire.
Times: 11am to 6pm.
This event is also taking place on Sunday. Visit our Sunday listings here. Visit the official listings at the bottom of the page for new timings.
If this taste of what to come next week has inspired your appetite for more, visit our guide to Sunday here, or see the full listings on the Lancashire Encounter website here.