Media Release |
Create Platform is back with a bang for 2018!
Create Platform is back for its second year with a fantastic line up for 2018!
This year, the week-long programme of events (which leads up to the main Create Festival in Victoria Park) will see entertainment from a variety of exciting and interesting local acts, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Running from 14th-22nd July, one of the main attractions this year will be a performance by the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club. The legendary actor - best known for his roles in Red Dwarf, Coronation Street and Robot Wars - will be playing an assortment of classic funk and soul gems on Wednesday 18th July in Revelation Ashford; a unique and awe-inspiring church venue in the heart of the town.
As well as live music, the varied family-friendly programme of delights includes creative poetry reading from Luke Wright (billed as one of the "funniest and most brilliant poets of his generation" by The Independent); nostalgic storytelling at The Vine Inn Tenterden, a lively darts-themed performance by Rex The King and Bandstand Bites - a series of entertaining mini street theatre festivals each lunchtime around the Bandstand.
Those who are keen for the launch of the Snowdog arts trail this Autumn will be given a taster from the ever-popular Mr. Doodle, who will be creating some live artwork to use as part of the ‘Ashford Discovers Snowdogs' trail - the first official teaser for the event coming to the town in September.
Local creatives are also catered for, with two fantastic workshops on offer - the Create Artist Network; a free opportunity to network, find out more about Create Platform and hear from a range of inspirational creatives working in and around Ashford, and the Kent Digital meet up; another great opportunity to network, exchange ideas and talk about the future of Ashford's creative vision, as well as being a perfect excuse to sample the fine beer and pizza on offer at the newly opened Taproom on Bank Street!
On a slightly more humbling note, there will also be a great opportunity to see some of the amazing work carried out by the mothers from Syria in Ashford. Along with award-winning textile artist Anna Ray, residents will be able to see the work made by the women since the project began and join the discussion about what makes a place a home.
All of these wonderful acts are a fantastic warm up to the main event, Create Festival - one of the biggest free music festivals in the South East - which will be held in Victoria Park on July 21st.
Details, times and prices of all of Create Platform's events can be found on the Create webpage at www.createfestival.co.uk.
Festival organiser, Chris Dixon, said: "Create Platform is launching soon and we can't wait. It's a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase even more of Ashford's local talent and help build the buzz ahead of the festival."
Cllr Mike Bennett, Portfolio Holder for Culture, said: "Create Platform is a nice way to bring all of the spin off events from the main Create festival together. Create is growing year by year, and I hope this mini festival will soon be recognised as another great cultural event in Ashford's calendar year."
CREATE PLATFORM 2018 PROGRAMME:
CRAIG CHARLES FUNK & SOUL CLUB (Concert)
Revelation Ashford, 19:30-22:30, 18 July, TICKETED
Ex-Red Dwarf and Coronation Street star Craig Charles brings his Funk and Soul show, made famous by BBC Radio 6.
REX THE KING (Pub Theatre)
Alfred Arms, Ashford, 20:00, 17 July, FREE
Featuring live music, flying arrows and a dancing dartboard, this theatre performance tells the story of a darts champion who rule the work, but lost it all.
DOWN THE PUB WITH LUKE WRIGHT (Pub Theatre)
The Albion, South Willsborough, 20:00, 19 July, FREE
Flamboyant, political and riotously funny, Luke Wright creates inventive poems with loads of heart. Part Essex wide boy, part dandy fop, Luke performs his show about small-town tragedies and national farce.
CIRCLED IN THE RADIO TIMES (Pub Theatre)
The Vine Inn, Tenterden, 15:00, 22 July, FREE
A heart-warming and nostalgic piece of storytelling, this evocative one-man show finds humour in the ability of TV to bring us closer together.
MR DOODLE'S DOODLE DOG (Live Arts)
County Square Shopping Centre, Ashford Town Centre, 10:00-16:00, 19 July, FREE
Join Mr Doodle as he em‘barks' upon a new adventure. Watch as his out of control pen doodles a Snowdog that will form part of the ‘Ashford Discover Snowdogs' public art trail coming to Ashford September-November 2018.
BANDSTAND BITES (Street Theatre)
Bandstand, Ashford Town Centre, 12:00-14:00, 16-20 July, FREE
From singing Jukeboxes to 8ft stilted characters, thisweek-long lunchtime extravaganza of mini festivals showcases a range of street theatre.
MR HARPER'S VARIETY SHOW (Theatre)
Bandstand, Ashford Town Centre, 16:30-18:00, 18 July FREE
Brought to you by the Humans of Ashford, a theatre project showcasing Ashford talent and sharing local stories inspired by Victorian music hall. Also see the full final performance at Mr Harper's Spectaculum, 22 July.
MR HARPER'S SPECTACULUM (Event)
Victoria Park, 11:00-14:30, 22 July, FREE
Experience the magic and wonder of a Victorian extravaganza at Mr Harper's Spectaculum, a family fun day to celebrate the birthday of Mr Harper, the man who gifted the Hubert Fountain to Victoria Park.
TAKE PART...
HOME
Park Mall Shopping Centre, 14-15 July, 10:00-15:00, FREE
Park Mall Shopping Centre, 16 July, 10:00-16:30, FREE
Join award-winning textile artist Anna Ray and mothers from Syria and Ashford in discovering what makes a place a home. See the work made by the women since the project began and contribute by making your own marks of home on fabric. All ages welcome.
CREATE'S ARTIST NETWORK MEET UP
Ashford College, 16 July, 18:00 - 20:00, FREE TICKETED
An event for all artists, creative people and businesses to network, exchange ideas and help set the future creative vision for the borough.
KENT DIGITAL MEETUP
Taproom TN23, Bank Street, Ashford, 18 July 18:00 - 20:00, FREE TICKETED
From online merchants to artists, developers, designers, retailers, entrepreneurs and more this event is for anyone involved in the digital space based in Kent. There will be two expert talks followed by an interactive Q&A session, plus free pizza, beer and great company.
PLATFORM SESSIONS: LIVE LOOPING
The Record Store, Ashford, 18 July, 19:00-22:00, FREE TICKETED
Join us as we create sounds that get looped and layered to make tracks of music and hear the final tracks performed on the DJ Stage at Create Festival, 21 July.
PLATFORM SESSIONS: CREATE SCRATCH
The Record Store, Ashford, 20 July 2018, 19:00-22:00, FREE TICKETED
Join DJ Haematic for a demonstration of vinyl DJ mixing coupled with scratching techniques. Make sure you bring your favourite vinyl record to be sampled in a unique DJ set.
- ENDS -
Notes for editors
Create Festival is currently in its 23rd year of running. It is now one of the biggest free music festivals in the South East, and was awarded the Cultural Event of the Year at the 2017 Kent Creative Awards.
For further information on each event and ticket availability please visit www.createfestival.co.uk or follow on Facebook @ashfordcreate, Twitter @ashfordcreate and Instagram @createfestival
For further information contact:
Darren Laws
Public relations
Tel: 01634 671167
Darren.laws@zesttheagency.com