Twelve exciting events in Coventry & Warwickshire join over 40 events across the West Midlands to be part of London 2012 Open Weekend (24 – 26 July 2009) – a series of events across the country enabling access to the arts, culture, environment projects and sport and celebrating three years to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games.
London 2012 Open Weekend enables everyone to share in the excitement of the Games, be inspired, get involved, unleash creativity and try something new. The people of the West Midlands are being encouraged to join the celebrations. All London 2012 Open Weekend Events taking place in the West Midlands are listed at www.london2012.com/openweekend. Across Coventry & Warwickshire the following events will be taking place:
* Learn to dance on your bicycle and celebrate the marriage of sport and art at Extraordinary Cycles, Leamington Spa.
* Train like a roman solider at Lunt Roman Fort or revel in the memories of school sports as team of misfit sports instructors prepare for their Olympics rehearsal in Coventry.
* Coventry and Warwick join in with a national celebration of storytelling with town events featuring professional storytellers and performers.
* Become an explorer for a day on the Great Bug Hunt and meet the animals that live Under the Big Tree with a self-guided trail and interactive exhibition at Herbert Museum & Art Gallery in Coventry.
* Watch out for Coventry city centre coming alive with a programme of outdoor performances and at Coventry University’s Elite Performance day join Olympic athletes of the future.
* And get fit by bringing 12kg or more of recyclable material to the Allan Higgs Centre in Coventry in return for reduced gym membership.
The London 2012 Open Weekend created by London 2012 is supported by BP, the Premier Partner of the Cultural Olympiad. London 2012 Open Weekend will take place in July 2010 and 2011.
This year’s London 2012 Open Weekend follows the success of last year’s event, which launched the Cultural Olympiad and enabled over 700,000 people to become part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Tom Clift, Coventry and Warwickshire partnership manager for the 2012 Games, said: “London 2012’s new Open Weekend is a brilliant initiative which gives people in the region the chance to take part in the London 2012 experience right here where they live. It also provides a real challenge to try something new as we mark the three year countdown to the beginning of the Games in 2012. We’ve got lots of exciting events already signed up for Open Weekend but there will be even more by the time the weekend arrives – something for everyone to join in with.”
London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe said: “We’ve always been clear that London 2012 is about more than just sport, we want to create a Games for the Nation and Games that are accessible to everyone. We created Open Weekend as part of the Cultural Olympiad, to enable people to share in the countdown celebrations towards London 2012 but also be inspired by the Games to discover new interests and develop their talents.
“Open Weekend is part of our vision for the Games to inspire lasting change. The fantastic range of Open Weekend events provide opportunities for everyone to access excellence across sport, art and culture and try something new. The Games are thriving across the UK and we are grateful to the organisations that have partnered with us to make Open Weekend happen.”
Peter Mather, Head of BP in the UK said: “BP is delighted to become the Premier Partner of the Cultural Olympiad. We have an excellent track record for supporting the arts in the UK and we want to help build further synergies between sports and the arts in the run up to the 2012 Games. We are already working closely with LOCOG on our plans as the official Tier 1 oil and gas partner and adding the cultural arm to these activities is something to which we are looking forward.”
Coventry & Warwickshire Listings
Extraordinary Cycles: 26 July 2009 from 12pm and 3pm.
Celebrate the bicycle and explore the developing of a new art form - dancing on bikes.
Venue: The Parade, Leamington Spa, The Parade Leamington Spa, CV32 4AL.
Tickets: Free - just turn up.
Festival of Family Storytelling: 24 July 2009, 10-5pm.
One of 32 family learning events across England working with professional storytellers and performers.
Venue: Museum of British Road Transport, Millenium Place, Hales Street, Coventry, CV1 1JD.
Tickets: tracey.wooton@transport-museum.co.uk/ 024 76243 4294.
Festival of Family Storytelling: 25 July 2009, 10-5pm.
One of 32 family learning events across England working with professional storytellers and performers.
Venue:St Johns House, Warwick, CV34 4NP.
Tickets: rebeccawilliams4@warwickshire.gov.uk/ 01926 412034.
Silsila: 26 July 2009, 2-4pm.
Part of Herbert Art Gallery & Museum’s season of films celebrating the career of actor, Amitabh Bachchan.
Venue: Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5QP.
Tickets: Free event, no booking necessary.
Sin Dex III: 24 July 2009, 11-2pm.
Can you survive the next round of training in the life of a Roman Soldier? For children aged 7+.
Venue: Lunt Roman Fort, Coventry Road, Baginton, Warwickshire, CV8 3AJ.
Tickets: Site entry prices apply.
The Great Big Hunt: 24-26 July 2009, 10-5.30pm on Fri and Sat/ 12-5pm on Sunday.
Become an exploreer for the day on this self-guided trail – suitable for children accompanied by an adult.
Venue: Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5QP.
Tickets: Free event, no booking necessary.
Under The Big Tree: 24-26 July 2009, 10-5.30pm Fri and Sat/ 12-5pm Sunday.
Meet the animals, plants and bugs who live Under the Big Tree. Exhibition combining inventive play and discovery.
Venue: Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5QP.
Tickets: Free event, no booking necessary.
Playing The Streets: 24 July 2009, 11am-4.00pm.
Imagineer Productions will bring the Coventry city centre alive with an eclectic programme of outdoor and site specific performances.
Venue: Broadgate, Coventry City Centre Broadgate, Coventry CV1 1LL.
Tickets: Free Event.
Elite Performance Day: 24 July 2009, 9am-5pm.
Workshops and seminars for talented athletes aged 14-16.
Venue: Coventry University Sports Centre, Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5FB.
Tickets: Book via 024 7679 5993.
Knickers and Vests – Coventry: 25 July 2009, 2 - 5pm.
Share your memories of school sports and PE with Triangle Theatre.
Venue: Coventry University Square and Coventry parks, around Coventry University Square and Coventry parks.
Tickets: Free - no booking required.
Children in Conflict: 24 – 26 July 2009, Friday to Saturday 10am – 5.3pm, Sunday 12pm – 5pm.
The exhibition brings together eight contemporary artists whose work expresses concerns, and highlights the plight of children caught up in conflicts across the globe.
Venue: The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5QP.
Tickets: Free drop in exhibition.
Recycle to Cycle: 24 – 26 July 2009, 8am – 6pm.
Bring 12kg or more of recyclable material (i.e. paper, cans, or glass)and get a free month in the gym!
Venue: The Alan Higgs Centre, Allard Way, Coventry, CV3 1HW.
Tickets: Free. No need to book just turn up at reception desk.
Media enquiries:
Simon Gilbert
Advent Communications
2 Edison Building
Electric Wharf
Sandy Lane
Coventry CV1 4JA
Tel: 024 7663 3636
http://www.advent-communications.co.uk |
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