Dancing Hippos and Belgian Street Theatre Bring Crowds to Market Place

Thanks to a partnership with SO Festival, there was an international feel to the day with Spain’s Zum Zum Theatre offering dancing hippos and a comedic sports-themed juggling performance by Belgium’s De Cuyper brothers, both of which had crowds clapping and cheering along.

There were local performers too with music from Alex Jones and Adam Schofield, while artist James Mayle got visitors involved with painting, Circus Starlight offered the chance to go on the trapeze and both Beaumond House and the Children’s Bereavement Centre invited people to join in with crafts and games as well. Newark Book Festival held a popular book and jigsaw swap and there were a variety of stalls as well as a customised car display.

The Newark Creates programme is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is led by Newark’s Cultural Consortium. Carol Newman, Director of Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, the lead partner in the consortium, said: “It was amazing to see so many people support and enjoy our first event of the year, with a fantastic fun, friendly and vibrant atmosphere in the market place. It’s wonderful to work with the SO Festival on the Lincolnshire Coast and be able to treat Newark to some of their incredible European outdoor arts and street theatre artists. We’re extremely excited for what the rest of the year has in store for Newark Creates and can’t wait to unveil our Book Benches this July!”

Newark Creates will be launching its Book Bench trail with Wild In Art on Thursday 11 July, coordinating with the first day of Newark Book Festival. To stay up to date with the latest about this and other events, follow @NewarkCreatesUK on Facebook or visit www.newarkcreates.co.uk.