Events

Lakes Alive — Fri 06, August 2010 03:34:36

Presented by Frolicked

Are you daring enough to come to a nature trail with an unexpected twist?

If you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of an amazingly rare species, the like of which you have almost certainly never seen before. But you'll soon discover there is also something sinister lurking in these woods...

For ages 10 + - parental guidance advised.

Please note that this event involved a 60 minute leisurely walk including a steep hill and uneven surfaces. We are sorry but it is unsuitable for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users.

Mintfest on the Streets

Lakes Alive — Mon 05, July 2010 06:11:43

Kendal becomes home to a vast array of international street performers to keep you inspired and entertained throughout the festival daytimes. This year, the street festival runs for both Saturday and Sunday with the acts being repeated throughout the weekend to ensure everyone can see everything they want to!

The full list of artists and their schedules will appear in the programme which will be online from late July, so check back if there are particular artists you are looking for, otherwise just turn up and take it all in.

Lakes Alive — Mon 05, July 2010 04:41:38

Presented by One Voice Music (UK)

People from Kendal, Cumbria and beyond will present the finale to Mintfest 2010, with an uplifting and celebratory parade of dance, drumming and singing drawing on the African heritage of Brazil and Cuba. It will lead the crowds through the streets of Kendal to finish on the stage at the Mint Garden at the Brewery Arts Centre.

In the run up to Mintfest One Voice Music will be running dance, singing and drumming workshops from September 3 -5 to culminate this costumed carnival parade at Mintfest. Come and join us and get into the Brazilian/Cuban groove! For full info, costs and booking forms click here

Mint Garden at the Brewery

Lakes Alive — Mon 05, July 2010 04:26:13

In the past few years the Brewery Garden has hosted the Rhythms of the World stage.

This year, the gardens take on a slightly different flavour, with a combination of some fab music and much more besides.

On both Saturday and Sunday there is a treat in store for families as Le Montreur (France) bring a charming and quirky puppet show in which the audience become the puppeteers.

On Saturday evening enjoy a twisted mix of funk, soul, hiphop and aggressive jazz from the 10 piece Riot Jazz Brass Band, a fresh take on the cult 80s quiz show Mr & Mrs and a unique blend of sizzling Balkan and Lezmer tunes fromt he Balkanics Ban.

Then, on Sunday, Mundo Jazz, the popular spoof world music band will teach us about peace, the environment, racial harmony and love, through the splendid medium of music. Ska band Guns of Navarone will get eeryone dancing to traditional Jamaican ska, before the stage is taken for an uplifting finale of Brazilian/Cuban singing, dancing and drumming by everyone who has been participating in Edun Ara Bloco de Carnaval.

Lakes Alive — Thu 01, July 2010 08:27:24

Big Rory, our very tall Scottish friend and his Girlfriend Morag (along with their wayward hound, Ochie) are returning to Mintfest 2010 to get married. You're all invited. Throughout the weekend Rory and Morag will have their Stag and Hen nights in unsuspecting Kendal pubs, go shopping in the town and at the new K Village, will get married, and have a wedding reception. Well, that's the plan anyway!

Friday, 8.30pm

Stag & Hen Parties

The Globe, Market Place and The Olde Fleece, Highgate

Big Rory and Morage are out on the town for their last wild night out before settling down.

FREE

Sat, 11 am & 2pm

Wedding Shopping

From 11am: Along Stricklandgate, at Elephant Yard, Wainwright's Yard and Westmorland Shopping Centre

2pm: At K Village, The Lakes Outlet.

FREE

Sat, 7.30pm

Mr & Mrs

Mint Garden at the Brewery Arts Centre

The pair host a Kendal version of the cult 80s quiz show. If you are a couple who would like to take part please email mail@lakesalive.org

FREE

Sun 4.15pm

Big Rory Wedding

Join us in Abbot Hall Park for the traditional Celtic ceremony of dragging the groom to the altar.

FREE

Sun, 8pm

The Wedding Party

Kendal Town Hall

Come and celebrate with the happy couple as they host their wedding reception. There'll be laughter, speeches, live music from the Baghdaddies and even a 'typical' Scottish wedding buffet to nibble on (eat before you come!)

Tickets £8 (conc £6) available from Brewery Arts Centre box Office on 01539 725133 or click here.

Lakes Alive — Thu 01, July 2010 08:20:20

Mike Hancock (UK) presents Mint Room

Wind down after a hard-day of festival-going for our popular cabaret nights in the Brewery Arts Centre Malt Room.

Since 1998 Cabaret Heaven has put on nights of the best in contemporary, variety, comedy and live music at regular venues and at festivals throughout the UK and has been at the forefront of the recent cabaret revival. "a phenomenal night" Front Row, BBC.

You'll be entertained throughout the evening on Friday with comedy compere Isma Almas, there will be music and comedy from Earl Okin and mime and metaphysical clowning from Les Bubb.

On Saturday enjoy a glimpse into the world of Barbara Nice who is worried that we are living in a world of ever diminishing friendliness and be astounded by comedian and manipulator-of-everyday-objects Martin Sloan, with Yorkshire's own drag goddess, Mysti Valentine as compere.

Both nights will culminate in a live DJ set from Robin Walker, Fallback Productions, with dancing and bar into the early morning. Early booking advised.

Over 18s only.

Lakes Alive — Thu 01, July 2010 05:37:56

Presented by Ponten Pie (Catalonia, Spain)

Three young circus performers have fallen on hard times after the closure of the famous circus Bimil. Hoping to make their fortune, the enterprising trio have set up a new restaurant in Kendal's new shopping centre, K Village. However, time has been passing and no-one has used the restaurant, until, suddenly, a large crowd descends (you!). Despite not having enough food or even tables the three gourmets decide to try to satisfy the group in their own sparkling fashion!

Adrfit

Lakes Alive — Thu 01, July 2010 03:48:06

Presented by Sound Intervention (UK)

Adrift is an exciting show commissioned by Lakes Alive and created by Ulverston based company Sound Intervention. Directed by Dan Fox with a cast of experienced local performers and technicians, Adrift creates a mysterious post-flood, post-digital world of sound, fire and transformations.

Lakes Alive — Wed 30, June 2010 05:23:59

Presented by Tuig (Netherlands)

Tuig (who performed at the opening event of Mintfest 2008) return to Kendal with a new visual spectacle.

Deep in the woods a house stands alone. Powered by a flywheel and the overweening ambitions and desires of its inhabitants, the house itself goes through the circle of life from stillness to frantic activity and round again to be at rest.

Lakes Alive — Wed 30, June 2010 05:07:23

Presented by Akademi

One of the Lakes Alive commissions of 2010, Sufi:Zen had its UK premiere at Furness Abbey in April this year, and returns to Cumbria following a tour of UK festivals.

Presented by acclaimed South Asian dance company, Akademi, Sufi:Zen is a mediative and intimate dance theatre experience that unites the stillness of Zen meditation with the rapturous motion of Sufi dervishes.

Evocative and beautiful, Sufi:Zen merges multiple dance styles, including kathak, bharata natyam, contemporary and ballet. Set to a score by Shrikanth Sriram, this performance reflects Akademi's long-standing reputation for presenting modern perspectives on traditional South Asian dance forms in unusual and distinct spaces.

Lakes Alive — Wed 30, June 2010 03:34:36

Presented by Compagnie Luc Amoros (France)

We are over the moon to be hosting the UK premiere of Page Blanche (Blank Page) from Company Luc Amoros (France). This is an exhilaratingly fresh fusion of live music, performance and visual art unlike anything you will have ever seen before.

Blank Page takes place on a giant scaffolded canvas made up of individual squares around which six young singers/artists and a musician playing double bass and electric guitar together create a remarkable evening event. Against a soundtrack of mesmeric live music and naked voices, the company uses almost 300 kilograms of paint and 360 square metres of plastic film to create, destroy and recreate unique art works, reflect on shared histories that have shaped our world and deliver their messages.

The result is an utterly compelling celebration of creativity which leaves the audience astonished, elated and with images that continue to resonate long after the scaffold has been dismantled and the paint washed away.

Watch a you tube clip (not professionally shot) here

Supported by Région Alsace / Alsace County Council

Atempo

Lakes Alive — Tue 29, June 2010 06:00:40

Presented by Atempo Circ (Catalonia, Spain)

An exciting and edgy medley of music, dance and contemporary circus.

A company of four exceptionally-skilled circus performers spin, swing and soar through the night using German Wheel, Chinese Pole and Cloud Swing techniques to create a powerful and poetic performance.

Supported by:

Bombs Per Minute (presented by K Village)

Lakes Alive — Tue 29, June 2010 04:13:08

K Village, the Lakes Outlet presents Les Commandos Percu (France), Bombs Per Minute

An extravaganza of sound, light and fire. This unforgettable hour-long show, Bombs Per Minute, is performed by Les Commandos Percu (France).

European masters of percussion and rhythmic drumming, Les Commando Percu provide a magnificently striking fiesta for the eyes and ears, with amazing firework effects dancing across the night sky to a thumping musical backdrop. Not to be missed.

Visit Les Commandos Percu website

THERE IS FREE PARKING AT WESTMORLAND COUNTY SHOWGROUND.