With Under the Same Sky now just 1 month away, our Education and Participation team is in full swing, bringing together an exciting programme of workshops, creative activities and community engagement ahead of the big celebration on Saturday 3 October in Solihull.
Led by our Special Projects Coordinator, Laura Hague, the Under the Same Sky programme is bringing Solihull families, residents and community groups together through kite-making, movement and storytelling. Inspired by the symbolism of Afghan kites and Hong Kong lanterns, the project has created welcoming spaces for people to share their stories, celebrate different cultures and explore what it means to belong. We’re delighted to be working alongside Elmwood Family Hub, Riverside Family Hub, iHere, Colebridge Enterprises, Sunflower House and many other community partners.
We’ve also been fortunate to work with an incredible team of workshop leaders, including Laura, Johnny, Ellie, Tori, Holly, India and Mia, who have been leading creative sessions across the borough throughout the summer. We’re expecting more than 125 workshop participants to join the final procession, bringing along the colourful kite creations they have made during the workshops.
The workshops and wider activity leading up to the main event have been made possible thanks to the generous support of Culture Solihull and Solihull Council. Together, we’re building towards a vibrant public celebration where the community will come together for a spectacular kite procession filled with music, colour and shared stories. The procession will lead audiences beneath the aerial rig, where they can experience Up in the Sky, a spectacular performance celebrating movement, connection and the joy of being together. Accompanied by the Pop Voices community choir.
There’s still plenty to look forward to, and we’d love for you to be part of Under the Same Sky. Join us in Solihull on Saturday 3 October for a day of creativity, community and shared stories under one sky.
So, what can you expect on the day?
The celebration will begin with a beautiful community kite procession, bringing together more than 125 participants and their colourful creations. Audiences will then gather beneath the aerial rig to experience Up in the Sky, our spectacular aerial performance celebrating movement, connection and the joy of being together. The day will also feature the wonderful Pop Voices community choir, adding live music and energy to the celebrations. Alongside the performances, our community hub will bring together local charities, services and community organisations within a series of gazebos, offering opportunities to discover local support, connect with organisations and find out more about what’s happening across Solihull. And, of course, there will be food trucks on site, making it a fantastic day out for the whole family.
Get ready to look up! Up in the Sky is a bold and beautiful outdoor aerial adventure for families, blending breathtaking aerial choreography, dynamic storytelling and imaginative design. Performed by 6 artists around a spectacular 7-metre circular structure, this 35-minute performance follows a group of young men as they navigate displacement, change and the search for belonging. The show invites audiences to gather close, dream big and take flight together.
‘Fast, energetic, and bold — Up in the Sky is an uplifting and inclusive production, rich in storytelling and daring in its themes. The epic structure combined with exciting choreography creates a truly memorable audience experience.’
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