The Six Weeks of Summer

Wa-hey, the summer holidays are upon us! Here’s our Top Ten recommendations to keep the kids, and you, entertained in the city this summer…

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Preston Tringe Festival

The open to all, Preston Tringe festival is now just over a month away and it is promising to bring you an amazing mixture of theatre, music, comedy and magic from all over the U.K.

Don’t forget that the festival will be kicking off on the 24th July and will be bustling with arts and acts until 1st August. This week, we’re taking a look at what the Blackpool, Fylde and Cumbria participants have to offer us in the form of theatre, magic and undoubtedly a little bit of mayhem.

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Glastonferret 2010

Couldn’t get tickets for Glastonbury? Can’t be bothered trying to find your tent after ten hours of bands and a vat full of ale? Gotta get up with the kids in the morning? Picked up a flyer for this year’s Glastonferret this morning and looks like it could top the fun of last year’s madcap event at Preston’s Mad Ferret.

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Moonlight Walk

I never thought I’d see a snake of women dressed in pink with flashing bunny ears marching up Fishergate Hill towards the city centre at 1am on a Sunday morning. Judging by the reactions of some befuddled onlookers, neither did they! Last night, Saturday 5th June, we joined the 2,000 women walking a half marathon around the city to raise money for St Catherine’s Hospice. So did we complete the Moonlight Walk with feet and legs intact?

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Caribbean Carnival comes to town

Samba dancers frolicked, steel bands played and the public basked in the sunlight for Preston’s annual Caribbean Carnival. read article »

Bank Holiday ideas in and around Preston

Bank Holiday weekend in Preston

It’s nearly time for the Bank Holiday weekend to begin and we’ve collected together what’s happening in and around Preston.

Includes Caribbean Carnivals, Whit Fairs, steam engines and Jimmy Carr. read article »

Tales from the Blackjack – The future

Those theatre-goers among you will remember our review of Tales of the Blackjack, an excellent one man show performed by local actor Alex Moran. It centres around a blackjack dealer, interacting with various customers, revealing dark secrets as each character’s personal life bleeds into their gambling life.

I caught up with Alex this afternoon read article »

Lancashire International Film Festival

UCLan’s Media Factory paid host to renowned filmmakers at the first Lancashire International Film Festival this weekend.

The festival, running until 9pm today and continuing tomorrow, brings together nascent local talent alongside more experienced film-makers. read article »

Preston Tringe Update

The Preston Tringe is swiftly approaching and the clock is now ticking for groups to apply and be part of it, with the deadline being May 10th. So, what are you waiting for – whatever you talent is, give it a go, it’s a chance to share your gift with the world!

Last month,  we revealed some of the current line up for the Preston Tringe and  we can now reveal more of the extensive and exciting line up that are set to shine throughout the streets of Preston throughout the Tringe. read article »

Preston Council recruiting Guild Head of Marketing

Preston Council is recruiting a new Head of Marketing (& Development) with a specific focus on the Guild.

Whoever lands the role will be paid between £28,636 to £30,011 per annum and it’s a fixed term contract until 2013.

The job description describes them as having an influential role in the 2012 Preston Guild and working very closely with the Festival Director.

More details about the job can be found on the Preston City Council website and also an online application form

Open mic night to re-start at Mad Ferret

Preston pub the Mad Ferret is re-starting its open mic nights.

The acoustic nights will take place every Wednesday and the first will see local band One English Pound headline. read article »

Word Soup

Preston’s excellent live-lit night Word Soup is one year old this month! And to celebrate Lancashire Writing Hub will be presenting the cream of Lancashire’s writing talent plucked from previous Word Soup nights and launching the first ever Word Soup publication. Jane Brunning from Lancashire Writing Hub gave us the lowdown….

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Run the Sport Relief Mile this Sunday!

The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile is taking place on Sunday 21^st March, and a piece of the action is coming to Avenham and Miller Park in Preston.

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Free theatre this Friday

‘Not in My Name’, a nationally acclaimed play tackling extremism, racial equality and cohesion is coming to Preston this week.

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2010 Zine Fair this Fri & Sat!

Anyone interested in publishing, writing & the creative arts would be wise to head down to ‘The Atrium’ at UCLAN this Fri and Sat for the 2010 Lancs Zine Fair. With over 30 stalls run by publishers, artists & makers there should be something for everyone. We asked local zine publishers Preston is My Paris for their three top tips for starting a ‘zine.

We originally started our project Preston is my Paris in June 2009 as a way of encouraging the exploration of Preston as a subject for creative practice.  Although neither of us was actually born in the city we have lived here for 13 years between us and have developed a strong passion for the place.

The project has now developed into a monthly zine that we distribute for free in the city, two exhibitions and a blog.

We are also about to launch Preston is my Paris Publishing and a temporary gallery space in the Guildhall Arcade.

Here’s our 3 tips for starting a zine:

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