After too long in lockdown and all the restrictions we have had, this summer month of July sees Huddersfield Piazza and Queensgate Market come alive with a colourful programme of creative events and activities.
School holidays, less restrictions, long days and hopefully lots of sunshine are all reasons to lift our spirits and inspire us to get out and about.
We found out a bit about the organisation who is bringing a host OF creative activities to Huddersfield. Temporary Contemporary began as a partnership with Kirklees Council and the School of Art, Design and Architecture at the University of Huddersfield. This has spread into empty units in the Piazza Shopping Centre in Huddersfield to provide workspaces, galleries and pop-up units to artists, cultural organisations and small creative businesses. By bringing art and culture to the High Street, they aim to showcase the creativity in Huddersfield. Each month Creative Contemporary produce a ‘What’s on’ to let you know what’s happening.
www.creativekirklees.com/networks/creative-kirklees/documents/whats-on-july-2021.pdf
These are some of the highlights for July, so pop into Huddersfield and enjoy a creative filled summer.
CollaborARTi
CollaborARTi are a growing group of friendly artists supporting each other to progress through exhibitions, installations, interactive artist demonstrations, workshops, classes and their online shop.
Come down to the Piazza to view their galleries:
• Felt Fridays – every Friday 11am to 3pm (Gallery One)
• Local Artist Exhibitions (Gallery Two)
• ‘Music For Your Eyes’ exhibition by Tray Tronic – open every Monday and Saturday in June/July and August, 12noon to 3pm (Gallery Three)
You don’t just have to look and admire, you can also spend time browsing in their shop where you can purchase unique items made by local artists.
Huddersfield Photo-Imaging Club
The club are pleased to announce that their Annual Exhibition is going ahead once more in a unit in the Piazza Shopping Centre. A gallery exhibition of photographic prints and digital images will be on display showcasing the club’s best work.
Colouricity
“Colour Aiders” Colour Club – call into the unit opposite the library steps to find out more about joining their Colour Club and become a super “Colour Aider” – open Thursdays in July 11am – 2pm.
Sangam Festival
Sangam Festival is a community festival celebrating South Asian arts, culture and heritage. Their aim is to bring people together to enjoy heritage and multi-arts events in a spirit of celebration, positivity and harmony.
Sangam Festival takes place from 18 July – 17 August, with events and activities held online and in venues and outdoor locations across Kirklees. You can visit the Sangam Festival Hub in the Piazza (old Dorothy Perkins shop) where activities will be taking place throughout the month. As well as day time events, making the most of the long summer nights, the Piazza will play host to a number of evening dance and music performances from Bollywood brass bands to classical Qawalli inspired by Sufi poetry. Some events will be delivered in partnership with other local festivals, community organisations and educational facilities. The project will provide a much-needed opportunity for the local community to come together to enjoy positive, celebratory activities with family and friends, following a challenging 18 months. It is a full and exciting programme celebrating all that is positive about South Asian heritage, arts and culture. For full programme of events visit: www.sangamfestival.co.uk
A highlight of the Festival is on Friday 30th July starting at 7.30pm at the Piazza. Balbir Singh Dance Company presents Love and Spice, blending contemporary western and traditional Indian Kathak dance, with live music.
An elderly couple, still very much in live, look back on their lives together, reliving key moments through memories of the meals they shared.
With the couple’s advancing age, each has lost one of their senses: he the sense of smell; she the sense of taste. Can spices – in particular – Black Pepper and Cardamom, the king and queen of spices – help them recapture what has been lost?
Love and Spice combines different art forms and cultural traditions in surprisingly delicious ways. Blending Kathak dance and live music…. this is truly a multicultural feast for all the senses.
No strangers to Huddersfield, Balbir Singh Dance Company were the resident dance company at Lawrence Batley Theatre for a number of years. They are returning to the town with their exciting and original dance theatre, blending contemporary western dance and classical Indian Kathak. The company regularly works with the best artists and musicians and, under the artistic leadership of Balbir Singh, stands at the forefront of intercultural dance practice in the UK.
This summer Friday evening in the Piazza will be a memorable one.
