Newbury set Ablaze for 10-year anniversary celebration of 101 Outdoor Arts
On Friday 13 – Sunday 15 September we saw the reprise of our breathtaking outdoor arts event, Ablaze.
The event was organised as part of 101 Outdoor Arts’ 10 year anniversary celebrations and saw Newbury’s Victoria Park and the Kennet and Avon Canal glowing with spectacular fire sculptures.
101 Outdoor Arts, part of Corn Exchange Newbury Trust, is the National Centre for Arts in Public Space, and supports the creation and development of performances and installations which are seen around the UK and internationally. Corn Exchange and 101 Outdoor Arts also present regular free outdoor performances in and around Newbury.
Over the three-day event, 6000 people walked the free trail from West Mills swing bridge along the flame-lit canal, enjoying live music from Jali Fili Cissokho playing kora, Jo Meikle on the hang drum and electronics, Tim Hill on saxophone and Mark Anderson with the Dream Vortex. Another 4,000 people joined the event at Victoria Park where a spectacular Fire Garden had been created by Cie Carabosse, with live music on the boating lake, stunning fire sculptures, mechanical structures and much more.
Danielle Corbishley, head of 101 Outdoor Arts & Outdoor Programmes says ‘I’d like to say a massive thank you to the production team who have worked tirelessly to ensure everything for this event ran smoothly, the volunteer and professional stewarding teams, water safety, Newbury Canoe Club, The Waterside Centre, Canal and River Trust, Newbury Town Council and everyone who has helped with spaces for log stores and access to roads and the towpath.’
Simon Chatterton, 101 Strategic Lead commented ‘We were delighted by the way Newbury turned out for Ablaze. There was an incredibly special atmosphere in the town over the weekend and it really showed the way the arts can bring people together. It could never have happened without the support of Greenham Trust and Arts Council England who have been such great supporters of 101 and the outdoor arts programme over the years.’
To see firsthand what happens at 101 Outdoor Arts, step inside the rehearsal room and explore the facilities at the 101 Open Day on Tuesday 24 September, tickets are free but pre-booking is required, drop in between 4pm and 6pm. Visit www.cornexchangenew.com/events/101-open-day-autumn-2024
The next free community outdoor event is the annual Festival of Light in Newbury Town Centre on Sunday 15 December at 4pm with the procession starting at 4.30pm.
Image credit: Adam Hillier Photography