An exciting variety of free online arts and performance events and workshops are being offered to residents over two weekends, starting on Friday 26 February. The line-up for Chippenham’s Fringe Feb festival includes live comedy, virtual performances, drawing sessions, photography workshops, music events and more with something for the whole family to enjoy.
Fringe Feb has been funded by Chippenham Borough Lands Charity and is organised via their Chippenham ACE group (Chippenham Arts and Culture group) who have put together a varied and full programme of events with help and support from members of the local arts community.
Laura Graham-May, Arts and Education Officer for CBLC, said, “This is only our second year of running Fringe Feb and we had to think creatively to deliver something Covid safe. We’re very excited to be bringing a mixture of free Arts events to Chippenham people, despite the challenges in the current climate. We’ve coordinated a range of online events to help you with the difficult days of lockdown three. We hope there is something for everyone to enjoy”.
Fringe Feb includes a host of live streamed events. There is an evening of live comedy with BBC’s Robin Ince and Chippenham Comedy club. A live game show being streamed from the Rondo Theatre performed by the Curious Company, called What’s Your Grumble?, based on a survey sent out to Chippenham residents to ask what annoys them.
There’s also some live improvised children’s theatre and storytelling from three different local companies. One of these, The Great Story Mix-up from Bristol based, Roustabout Theatre, lets the audience choose the characters, costumes and even design the set! Watch as your wild and wonderful ideas and drawings are brought to life by their troupe of storytellers.
Or perhaps you like radio drama? Why not listen to The Corona Monologues from Rag and Bone Arts CIC, which is being broadcast on Malmesbury Radio as part of the festival.
Children and adults can take part in free virtual activity workshops – from photography sessions with Chippenham based, The Photo Club, to Art workshops with artist Kirsty Jones, from Generous Heart Art. The Three Crowns are offering a range of activities from Beginner Ukulele with Chippenham Ukuleles to Beer mat poetry and art sessions as part of their Virtual pub experience.
Refashion My Town are putting on a virtual Fashion Show including a live tutorial for all skill levels giving you the opportunity to sew one of the garments yourself. If you have craft skills why not enter the Crazy Crochet and Nutty Knitting competition – a mad competition for yarn lovers especially for Fringe February.
The organisers would also love you to take part in Chippenham’s Chosen Words, a 3 words project, asking Chippenham residents for their top 3 words that sum up their time during Covid run by Chippenham based creative writing company, Call of the Page.
Although they are free of charge, ticketing for many of the events making up Fringe Feb is essential with some of the events already open for booking. Visit www.onechippenham.org.uk for more information.