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ABOUT THE GARFORTH ARTS FESTIVAL

When : 2nd July – 9th July
Where : Garforth, various venues

The Garforth Arts Festival 2005 is a week long event that will bring together over 4000 school children, 30+ community arts groups, local businesses and visiting professional artists, in a celebration of the arts.

The intention is for the festival to become an annual event, and for it to grow and develop each year.

The festival begins on Saturday 2nd July with Garforth Community Arts School (GCAS) showcase morning of music dance and drama. A series of events with at least 2 events per day. Festival highlights include Julie Edwards jazz quintet at the Hilton in Garforth on Sunday 3rd July, Shaun T. Hunter (singer songwriter) at the Hilton on Tues 5th July, an evening of dance on Tues 5th July featuring the ‘Northern School of Contemporary Dance’, and a week long project with artists in residence, 'Siyaya'.

Siyaya are a theatre arts group from Zimbabwe, who will conduct a series of workshops in 5 local primary schools. Over 150 students will take part in the workshops, and their pieces will form part of the main event on Saturday 9th July.

On Saturday afternoon 9th July, on Garforth Main Street there will be an exciting street festival, featuring circus acts, musicians, dancers etc. this event is free and will be followed by another free event outside Garforth Community College, in the evening. On stage will be Leeds favourites Bassa Bassa, as well as SLP College Dancers, Siyaya and the Garforth Youth Jazz Rock band.
The event has been organised by Garforth Community College, Garforth Community Association and Garforth and District Lions, and has been supported by the funding from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, and East Leeds Area Management.

‘ The aim is to establish a vibrant arts festival, that involves local people, school children and professional artists. We are very excited about this years programme and hope that there will be something for everyone.’

David Evans, Festival Director