Festival Gets Bigger!

Latest Press Release from MAGDALEN STREET FESTIVAL

On Saturday October 1st, Magdalen Street will celebrate its unique character in street festival style with performances, exhibitions, workshops, family activities and history tours. Following on last year's memorable and groundbreaking success, even more musicians and activities have been arranged.

As part of the day
• Norwich Taiko Centre will be opening the event under the Magdalen flyover
• Some of the best-known bands in the city will be playing on the street throughout the day, using a cycle-powered PA. The audience will be able to hop on the bike and power up their favourite bands!
• Roys Stores will be hosting family activities in their foyer
• Local history guides will give extended history tours of both Magdalen St. and St.Augustine's throughout the day
• Vintage, local, and London designer fashion shows will take place at One Touch Beauty, Sackville Place

Helen Simpson of the organising committee said “The goal of the day is to bring together neighbourhood residents, regulars and visitors to highlight Magdalen Street's role as a hub of creative, independently-owned, ethnically diverse and environmentally sustainable businesses.”

The art events, stallholders and historical aspects to the day will bring to life Magdalen Street's rich heritage. The street still boasts a range of food, clothes and shoe shops and is classified by the City Council as the busiest in the whole of Norwich for numbers of pedestrians and buses. Some of the shops from 1905 have survived - most notably 2 of the original fish shops.

Well-known songwriter James Frost who lives in NR3 and performed at the Celebration in 2010, said “It was fantastic to see so much art, music and street performance in my local community last year – it made me see Magdalen Street in a whole new light! It shows what can happen if everyone offers their own unique talents into the community they live in, with the support of local businesses and venues. It was a real atmosphere of participation and everyone felt it. In fact, I was so impressed with the event as a whole I joined the organising group for this year.”

Whether you are a regular visitor or haven’t ventured this way for some time, the Magdalen Street Celebration invites you to discover and rediscover this fascinating part of Norwich full of creativity, diversity and sustainability with a rich history and an even brighter future.

The event is organised by members of Transition Norwich. The organisers are grateful for the financial assistance of Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council who are supporting this year's event.

TO GET INVOLVED CONTACT:
Helen Simpson-Slapp | helenofnorwich@hotmail.com | Tel: 07747 751656

PRESS COMMENT:
James Frost - Tel: 07905 274325 | Stefi Barna - Tel: 07964 494836