Engaging Places has put together some of the best summer activities for all the family to get involved in over the holidays. Local venues across the country are offering a wide-range of free events, action-packed activities and cultural experiences to suit every taste and whim. So read on for fun days out near you.
Pushak, Moss Your City © Guy Archard
LONDON
The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion
The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion is designed by world-renowned French architect Jean Nouvel. This 2010 Pavilion is the 10th commission in the Gallery’s annual series, the world’s first and most ambitious architectural programme of its kind. Open to the public daily.
Date: 10 July - 17 October 2010.
The Union Street Urban Orchard
There will be a series of workshops and discussions focusing on biodiversity and urban food growing, please check the orchard website for the most up-to-date information.
Date: 19 June - 19 September 2010.
Moss Your City: An installation by PUSHAK
Moss Your City, by the Oslo-based architectural practice PUSHAK. is the outcome of The Architecture Foundation's international exchange programme for emerging architects in Norway and the UK.
Date: 19 June - 6 August 2010.
The Oikos Project
A theatre made completely from recycled and reclaimed materials. 'The Jelly Fish Theatre' has been programmed with a series of plays focusing on climate change and our present society especially commissioned, produced and directed by the Red Room.
Date: 19 June - 9 October 2010.
Summer Architecture Academy
Sign your teenager up for four days of fun-packed hands-on activities exploring amazing architecture with Open-City. Participants will get stuck into creative workshops investigating how their city is designed and built. 12-18 year olds.
Date: 2 - 5 August 2010.
NORTH EAST
Whitefriargate's 'Welcome to Hull'
Whitefriargate is currently home to the 'Welcome to Hull' public art installation created by international artist 'Pinky' as part of the 'Art In Empty Spaces' scheme to celebrate Hull and its role in the Clipper 09-10 world yacht race.
Date: 28 May - 6 August 2010.
West Fest
Arc and Gateway have devised a large free arts and sports event in West Park which will include live music, arts & crafts workshops, dance, comedy, puppetry and sports displays. The event aims to encourage the use of West Park as a vibrant space for all ages.
Date: Saturday 14 August at West Park from 12pm-10pm & Monday 16 - Friday 20 August in pubs in the Newington St Andrews Area.
NORTH WEST
Student Competition Exhibition at milkandsugar
In 2010, RIBA Competitions have managed three competitions open to architectural students looking at a range of different design challenges. This exhibition at milkandsugar will showcase the winners from each of these competitions.
Date: 21 July - 3 September 2010.
SOUTH EAST
Croquet! Alice in Wonderland style, Preston Manor
Play croquet on the lawns with flamingos for mallets and playing cards for hoops.
Date: 24 July - 27 August 2010.
Symphony of Scent, Hove Museum
Make beautiful fabric birds filled with delicious scents to give to your friends and relatives. In connection with the Touching Art Touching You exhibition.
Date: 27 July 2010.
Pavilion Proms, Royal Pavilion
A series of short promenade concerts for a relaxing summer’s evening in the Music Room, performed by the musicians and soloists of the Brighton Philharmonic.
Date: Thursdays 29 July, 19 August & 16 September 2010.
SOUTH WEST
Survival Challenge , Eden Project
Does your family have what it takes to survive and thrive? Battle the elements in the Survival Challenge and find out! Summer Splash, den building , fire making & survival skills, On the Hunt!, Wild food!, rock climbing and Mediterranean Biome performances are just some of the activities taking places at the Eden project this summer.
Date: 24 July - 5 September 2010.
Living Architectures
Living Architectures is a revealing examination of iconic architecture through the eyes of those who use the buildings – from line-dancing grape-pickers to abseiling window-cleaners – exploring architecture as an experience, rather than an image.
Date: 18 August - 3 October 2010.
EAST OF ENGLAND
Time & Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life
Listen to talks about An artist’s Residency at the Circus (30 July) and Great Yarmouth Entertainments and the Circus (27 August). Learn Circus Skills every Monday and come along to their Sunday Circus (8 August) for a whole day of entertainment. Craft Activities are available for children every Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday (excluding 8 & 12 August & 5 September).
Norwich Castle
Join costumed characters and have a go at hands on activities when you enter the House of the King at Norwich Castle (every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday). Make your mark on the longest bus ticket you’ve ever seen in our Olympiad Artathon (24 July). Be inspired by 60s Styles and make funky bowls and badges (24 August).Enjoy a selection of tremendous Tudor events at Strangers’ Hall.
Lynn Museum
Meet Brilliant Boudica, find out about her life and learn to fight against the Romans (3 August).
Date: 3 August 2010.
EAST MIDLANDS
Summer at Chatsworth
Meeting piglets? Playing games on the lawn? Building scarecrows? This doesn't sound like your typical day out. But that's what will be happening every day at Chatsworth this summer.
Date: 24 July - 2 September 2010.
WEST MIDLANDS
SHOP
SHOP in Stoke Town Centre uses an empty shop as an art space for artists, creatives, residents and visitors to meet, create, discuss and enjoy. Come down to shop to create and exhibit your own green man using locally sourced art materials - suitable for all ages.
Dates: 31 July - 14 August 2010.
YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER
Mad Hatterz Tea Party
Beam are holding a Mad Hatterz Tea Party at the Orangery on the afternoon of Saturday 24th July 2010, as part of the national Discovering Places event and Wakefield’s Summer of Culture.
Date: 24 July 2010.
The Generator
‘The Generator’ is a mobile workshop using theatre, art, dance and music, which will tour Wakefield and the Five Towns during the summer of culture from June - September. Join the Generator gang at the exciting launch event and have your say on culture in Wakefield!
Date: June - September 2010.
Beam's Gallery - Small Projects
This exhibition showcases the shortlisted entries for the Architects’ Journal 2009 Small Projects Award, sponsored by InterfaceFLOR. All the projects in this exhibition were built for less than £250,000.
Date: 7 June - 6 August 2010.
HOPE@Beam
A sculptural installation by Abu Jafar. As part of Wakefield’s Summer of Culture 2010, Beam is delighted to exhibit the work of Wakefield-based artist & sculptor, Abu Jafar at Beam.
Date: 5 July 2010 - 8 October, 24 July & Saturdays in September.
BELFAST
Feile an Phobail: Reconnecting the City
Feile an Phobail festival extends into the city centre with Reconnecting the City, a panel discussion to highlight current work aimed at reconnecting parts of the city and reconnecting people to the city-making process.
Date: 4 August 2010, 1pm.
ALL OF ENGLAND
English Heritage, Summertime Fun
English Heritage venues across the UK are running an action packed programme of events to keep the whole family entertained. From their highly successful hands-on history club Time Travellers Go… where kids can learn exciting skills of old, to falconry, gymkhanas and children’s theatre, there’s plenty to keep children of all ages entertained.
National Trust, 60 Days of Summer
Spend time discovering beaches perfect for surfing and rock pooling, race up wind swept hills, just right for kite flying and bird spotting or relax and unwind together in wide open spaces - ideal for a bit of al fresco dining and daisy chain making.
