On 21 January 2010, The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre in Newport played host to VIP guests, celebrities, press, city councillors and 50 five foot tall SuperDragons, as the plans for the Newport Festival 2010 were announced. At the launch event, festival plans were outlined and residents and visitors can look forward to a whole host of events across the city, taking place outdoors and in many venues across the city, including The Riverfront. Film, dance and comedy festivals, parades, circus acts, water sports, live music, fairgrounds and aerial artistes who will perform above the Newport City footbridge, are just a few of the events happening throughout the year. One of the highlights is set to be the SuperDragons who will take over Newport in the summer. The Dragon-shaped sculptures were gathered at The Riverfront for the launch and businesses are being asked to sponsor a dragon which a local artist will transform into a piece of artwork. Local artists and community groups can apply to transform a dragon, which will then form an Art Trail across the city and residents and tourists will be encouraged to follow the trail and visit where the SuperDragons are situated. The dragons will be auctioned in October, with proceeds going to charity. The Born Free Foundation is one charity that will benefit from the auction, and actress Virginia McKenna, who is a founder and trustee for the charity, was a special guest at the launch. Charlie Langhorne from Wild in Art, the company behind the SuperDragons, commented: “The SuperDragons will create a visual spectacle and is public art with a difference. They will attract visitors and inspire residents to become tourists in their own city. The SuperDragons are a blank piece of paper, just waiting to be transformed into a work of art and we encourage any artist with a creative idea to get in touch about SuperDragons.” Leader of Newport City Council, Cllr Matthew Evans, welcomed guests including award-winning actress Virginia McKenna and golf journalist and children’s author Lauren St.John. Councillor Matthew Evans said: “2010 will be one of the most exciting years Newport has ever seen. It is a year which promises to unveil a new era for Newport, with a legacy the city and its residents can enjoy for many years to come. “There is an action-packed calendar of events from September’s Big Splash event – with a circus and a funfair staged on the banks of the River Usk to the Fire Spectacular in October when the city’s skies will be illuminated by some impressive fireworks. And of course, hunting down the SuperDragons in the city will be a major pursuit for Newport residents and tourists throughout the summer months.” Also present at the launch was a brass quartet from Caerleon Comprehensive School and Malpas Church in Wales Junior School choir who performed two songs specifically written for the launch event. Many events are FREE throughout the festival. For more information on Newport Festival 2010, visit www.newport.gov.uk/newportfestival |
| web site: www.newport.gov.uk/newportfestival |
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Thursday, February 4, 2010 |
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