Storyhouse has announced the line-up for the Kaleidoscope festival celebrating the talents and stories of people living with disability.
The festival takes place at the multi award-winning theatre, cinema and library between September 30 and October 6.
The week-long festival, programmed in partnership with 23 charities and schools, will present the region’s first ever Disability Pride Parade, complete with dance, drama, crafts and clubbing and inspirational personal stories.
Storyhouse artistic director Alex Clifton said: “Kaleidoscope celebrates diversity, inclusion and unique abilities. We have collaborated with 23 local disability-led charities, schools and organisations to programme a festival that celebrates the life and tells the stories of Chester’s creative community.”
Highlight events include:
Opening the festival on Monday, September 30 at 11am, the city’s inaugural Disability Pride Parade. Inspired by similar parades in Brighton, New York and Chicago members of Chester’s communities are invited to join the march from Storyhouse to Chester Town Hall to show their pride and celebrate their disability.
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Programmed by the community: a special 80s disco tribute afternoon and a festival style club night complete with DJ, glitter and photo walls.
Paralympian Anna Jackson returns to the festival to interview author Ben Thexton (An Unexpected Journey) on the subject of mental health especially after life changing events. During 10 Minute Tales a panel of six adults will share their inspiring stories of living with autism.
Wrexham-based author Andrew Edwards (I’ve Got a Stat For You: My Life With Autism) will return to talk candidly about his autism and will welcome visitor to Chester Ros Blackburn who travels the world sharing her insight around her own experience of autism and the care and education practices she has observed.
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During the week-long festival a range of performances will be taking place across Storyhouse, including a murder mystery performed by Wirral-based company RAWD and an open mic afternoon featuring poet Jackie Hagan who is passionate about making theatre and creativity accessible for everyone.
The library will be home to a raft of creative workshops with everything from Makaton training to sensory music-play.
Storyhouse’s independent cinema will screen a selection of films exploring and celebrating disability. Titles include: Eaten By Lions starring stand-up comedian Jack Carroll and a selection of films about deafness will be screened from the UK’s leading short film and animation festival, Encounters. Plus, residents of supported living charity Chester Link voted for a special relaxed screening of 70s classic Grease.
Organisations taking part in the festival include: Cheshire Voluntary Action, Vivo Care Choices, The Arc, People’s Choice Group, Cheshire National Autistic Society, Live Cheshire, Cheshire Centre for Independent Living, RAWD, Dorin Park School and many more. All of the events have been requested and chosen by these organisations which makes this festival a true community collaboration.
The week will culminate in a main stage variety show – a fantastic opportunity for all the family to celebrate the talents of unique people who often don’t often get seen on stage.
Find out more at www.storyhouse.com/kaleidoscope .
