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Nov 13

Blackpool Youth Festival ‘Under The Town’ Returns

Under The Town, Blackpool’s award-winning festival for young people is back for its fourth year on Sunday 16 November inside the stunning Winter Gardens.

The quirky event features live music, dance performances, short film screenings, art exhibitions and much more.

The whole event has been organised by over 30 young people as part of completing their Arts Award with Blackpool Council.

The young people have also spent months preparing artwork and performances with creative professionals as part of their Awards. One young person, Hannah Smith, is building an ambitious art installation of a giant cardboard box which reveals an attic of memories on the inside. Olivia Blaydes, has choreographed and will perform a mesmerising contemporary dance piece. Lizzie Daly and Tom Hemmingway have each produced experimental films exploring issues around identity. Other groups of young people have worked together to create exhibitions of photos, paintings and interactive displays.

This year’s event will showcase an exciting line up of musical talent from across Blackpool and the North West including local rock band Jekyll, acoustic singer-songwriters Flossie, April Keen and Jess Harwood. The headline act is the much talked about indie band from Lancashire, Tourist Attractions who will be performing a set of original songs from their debut EP ‘Dusk’.

The young people have also invited a range of local dance groups including Urban Dance Project, Tip Toes and Barbara Jacksons to entertain us with showcase performances.

Whilst all of this is going on you can also get your face painted, have your photo taken with your friends in our photo booth and take away a free keepsake from the day.

Hannah Smith, 17 and from Blackpool, is one of the 30 young people organising Under The Town and working towards her Gold Arts Award. She said: “I have learnt so much already. It has been amazing to be involved and I can’t wait to see everything come together and am really excited to see the Tourist Attractions!”

Cllr Christine Wright, Cabinet Member for Culture and Heritage, said: “The arts award is a great way for young people to get involved in the local scene and learn more about the arts.

“The success of the Under The Town festival is all down to the young people, who have done everything from booking the acts to arranging the ticket sales and the flyers.

“It’s a great achievement. Their hard work has paid off and I’m really pleased for each of them.”

Under The Town starts at 2pm and finishes at 5pm. Tickets are £2 and available from 1pm on the day at the Winter Gardens.

With every ticket you will receive a voucher for free sweets, popcorn or candyfloss.

To find out more please visit www.facebook.com/underthetown or follow @UTT2014 on Twitter.