Deaf and disabled children and young people and their Families from County Durham are invited to attend IncludFEST, a FREE-TO-ATTEND outdoor accessible and inclusive arts festival taking place at Ushaw College in Durham on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 August 2021.
Produced by Durham-based TIN Arts, IncludFEST is a ticket-only covid-safe event with
six performances spread throughout the weekend.
Each family-friendly hour-long performance includes live music, dance, story-telling,
street theatre and much more! The organisers have also come up with the innovative idea of hosting audiences in private theatre boxes (gazebos!) and groups are invited to attend in bubbles of up to 6 people.
Other ‘keeping people safe’ elements include limits on audience numbers, no physical
contact between performers and audience with the performers at a safe distance, as
well as dedicated stewards as socially distanced guides throughout the event.
And although this years’ IncludFEST is smaller and more intimate than previous years,
the artist lineup is still strong including award-winning singer-songwriter Katie
Doherty, the ever-popular street theatre performers Bell and Bullock and Ruben
Reuter, the actor best known for his role as Finn McLaine in The Dumping Ground.
Producer Martin Wilson said: “We are so delighted to able to run IncludFEST this year
as in 2020 we had to move the event online due to the pandemic which was really
frustrating for all concerned.
So for 2021, we have put together the best IncludFEST lineup ever and we are looking
forward to delivering a fun, exciting and safe event for all with the wonderful support
of Durham County Council through funding, advice and guidance alongside our regular
funder Arts Council England and partners Ushaw: Historic House, Chapel & Gardens. We want to create positive and happy memories and together move forwards beyond
the recent grey and gloomy times so we really encourage people to sign up and join
us in August but make sure they book as soon as possible as places are limited.”
Booking is now open for families with Deaf and disabled children and young people to
attend as a group. Go to www.includfest.co.uk for more information or visit TIN Arts
Facebook and Twitter pages (@includFEST)
