A WEEKEND of fun and culture for all ages is planned to celebrate the second birthday of an arts centre and music venue in Mossley.
The Vale, based at Vale Mill off Micklehurst Road, first launched 11 years ago but received a £1 million upgrade and relaunch in 2021.
To mark two years since that occasion, the doors will open on Saturday, September 16 for families to take part in a range of free activities from 11am until 5pm – including music and dance taster workshops, street theatre, storytelling and arts and crafts.
Fresh from wowing the crowds at Glastonbury, Full Stilt will perform its walkabout show Bachelors of Paradise and there will be an appearance from the anarchic Ice Green Man from Greenbanks Productions.
There will also be the opportunity to get selfies with Global Grooves’ towering walkabout puppets.
People can bring their own white or pale coloured t-shirt to customise during a hands-on upcycling session with a visiting Brazilian artist. The South American theme will continue with live music with Latin, Brazilian and Argentinian flavours from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
There will also be a creepy crawlies craft workshop and a chance to find out about some of the regular sessions that take place at The Vale. Food and drink will also be available to purchase.
The fun does not stop there as a ‘tropical disco’ will take over later in the evening, when live bands and DJs will play until midnight.
Global Grooves’ percussion ensemble will support Manchester funksters Buffalo Brothers, before festival regulars Racubah Tropical Disco soundsystem spin their favourite global vinyl from Angola to Brazil and Colombia to Ethiopia.
Tickets for the tropical-themed night are between £3 and £10 in advance or £12.50 on the door and can be purchased here: https://www.the-vale.co.uk/event/2nd-birthday-tropical-disco/
To top off the celebrations, there will be a special percussion and voice masterclass in ritual music of north eastern Brazil with Guga Santos the following day (Sunday, September 17). Previous experience of percussion playing or singing is recommended.
More information and ticket details can be found at: https://www.globalgrooves.org/whats-on/masterclass-with-guga-santos/
Holly Prest, artistic director of Global Grooves, the carnival arts organisation who developed The Vale, said: “Come and have fun on us to celebrate our second birthday at the heart of Mossley: dance, drum, eat, drink, enjoy some street theatre, do some crafting, and find out more about what happens at The Vale every week.
“With many of our acts still buzzing from this year’s festival circuit, it’s going to be like a second summer right here in Mossley!”