May half term at The Project Space – Big Splash, Maindee Festival and more!

FREE – Tuesday 26th – Thursday 28th May – Opening times vary

Well it’s officially that time of year again where we crack out the sun lotion and get ready for Big Splash festival in Newport. This year’s festival takes place the same weekend as Maindee Festival meaning there’ll be even more arty goings on in the city than last year! This half term we have a whole manner of arty activities to keep the whole family amused at The Project Space – your creative community centre in the heart of the Newport.

Workshops start on Tuesday 26th May, and run until Thursday 28th May between 11.00am – 2.00pm. Come along and help make a giant house for the “Right Up Your Street” carnival procession for Maindee festival.

The Procession takes place on Saturday 31st May and is part of the Big Splash weekend celebrations!

In addition, there will also be a Samba Drumming Workshop on Tuesday 26th May with Upbeat Music between 2.00pm – 3.30pm.

For more information about these workshops and who to take part in the parade, please contact sally-anne.evans@newportlive.co.uk

To find out more information on all events during Big Splash and Maindee Festival, please visit www.maindee.org or www.newportlive.co.uk/theriverfront, or download the programme: http://media.wix.com/ugd/7be6dd_1361ef9d08a2453d80090bbc2c0bf569.pd

DISCOVER DANCE at The Project Space – 10th to 22nd November 2014

Discover Dance, Newport’s annual dance festival, is back for 2014 with an array of performances, dances and events across our city.  Not only will there be opportunities to see top professionals perform many different dance styles in Newport, but there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved and learn some new moves, or show off the ones you already know!

As part of this, The Project Space brings you FREE Yoga based sessions by Marega Clark for people with and without experience:

Monday 10th November – 10am – 11am

Tuesday 11th November – 10am – 11am

Wednesday 12th November – 11.15am – 12.15am

Friday 14th November – 10am – 11am

…just bring a mat, a towel or something to lie on to take part!

Marega will also be leading dance and movement drawing sessions through as part of Discover Dance festival, More details of events and performances to be announced this week – watch this space for details!

NATIONAL POETRY DAY with Patrick Jones & Guests – Thursday 2nd October – 1:30pm – 2:30pm

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For this year’s National Poetry Day, Gwent Arts in Health, Literature Wales and NCC Community Arts Development present “REMEMBER” at The Project Space.

Join Patrick Jones and guests for an hour of poetry and writing on the theme of ‘Remember’ to celebrate National Poetry Day. Free to all and refreshments will be available. This is one of a series events to celebrate creative writing as part of ‘Healing Words and Pictures’.

For more information about Gwent Arts in Health and the ‘Healing Words & Pictures’ project, please visit: www.garth.org.uk

CAPOEIRA NEWPORT – Mondays and Thursdays at The Project Space

Capoeira outside Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. Photo credit: © Noel Dacey, 2014.

Well, we’re into September, and my oh my how quickly this Summer has flown! After a two week break, we’re proud to welcome back Wolverine and Capoeira Newport to The Project Space, this time with two session each week!

Capoeira is a unique Brazilian art form that combines kicks, acrobatics, and music. Unless played professionally, Capoeira is widely practised as a non-contact sport. Rather than knocking down an opponent, the emphasis is on physical skill developing balance, strength and flexibility. Played to songs and instruments, music is integral to capoeira, setting the tempo and style of game played by all.

Capoeira is particularly great for dancers and is suitable for all ages and skill levels. For those new to Capoeira, or simply curious, pop in to one of the sessions and have a go yourself! Comfy clothing and sensible footwear advised.

MONDAYS (Children’s session Age 7 – 12) – 6pm – 7pm £4 per person

THURSDAYS (Adult Session Age 13+) 7pm – 8pm £4 per person

For more information – please contact Wolverine via www.facebook.com/capoeira.newport

Classes are with Wolverine from group Nucleo de Capoeiragem

The Big Splash 2014 – Newport’s Family Festival!

The Big Splash – Newport

It’s official – Newport’s Big Splash festival will return on Friday 30th May until Sunday 1st June 2014 for a long weekend of family entertainment across the city. With music, circus acts, street theatre, live dance, comedy and a Sunset Spectacular, there’ll be more going on than you can shake a stick at!

In support of this, The Project Space will be playing host to a number of free drop in workshops through out May leading up to the main festival weekend…

3rd, 10th, 17th – Stephanie Roberts, Big Splash Big Smash Mosaic Whale Workshops

Do you remember the Newport Leisure Centre’s Squirty whale?  Well we’ve found him – he’s in need of a make-over and we need your help!  Run by Newport mosaic artist Stephanie Roberts, we will transform this loveable whale and give him a new life.  As well, we’ll be running a competition to come up with a new name for Newport’s Whale – the winner of the best name will launch him at the Big Splash on Saturday 31st May.

For ages 7 years + if accompanied by an adult, or 11 years + if unaccompanied.

For more information about Stephanie Roberts, lease visit her website: http://www.stephanierobertsart.com

24th – Samba Workshops

Between 10am – 4pm, join us in The Project Space and make balloon costumes and musical instruments to get you in the party spirit ready for The Big Splash parade on the festival weekend. With a professional drumming tutor leading the sessions, come along and be part of Newport’s very own Samba drumming band.

For all ages – no need to book.

As well (for some week night fun too!) there will be Samba workshops held on Wednesday evenings at The Princess Tearooms on Cambrian Road to get you in the part mood through out the week!

31st – Big Splash Parade!

Open from 10am, there’ll still be time to pop in and make your costumes ready for the parade from The Project Space to The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre, starting at 1pm!

For more information regarding Newport’s Big Splash Festival 2014, please visitwww.newport.gov.uk/theriverfront, or find them online on Twitter: @newportfestival #bigsplash2014 Facebook: big splash newport or Instagram: @riverfrontarts