The 2012 Festival of Youth is to be held in the heart of Douglas town centre the event’s organiser, Douglas Development Partnership, has confirmed.
Town centre manager Gill Anderson said: ‘Last year’s event was a great success and we want to build on that this year by bringing all the activities right into the town centre, from Duke Street through to Castle Street and Marina Road.
‘The festival will take place on July 21st with different “quarters” of the shopping centre having different themes. It’s early days yet but we’re looking at the Duke Street quarter hosting what the organisers are calling The Simply Stupid Carnival of Colour with a circus/mardi gras theme, Regent Street being the setting for the main performances, Howard Street for BMX and skateboarding and Castle Street and Marina Road becoming Beat Street for the day.
Beat Street organiser, Represent Dance Company’s Dave Cowley said: ‘For the Festival of Youth Castle Street and Marina Road will be taken over and renamed Beat Street. Throughout the day our DJ will be spinning classic hip hop tracks, the Represent Dance Company street dance crew will be putting on a variety of amazing dance shows and street performances, Rappers and other musicians will be adding to the street party vibe and we will also be giving street dance lessons throughout the day, so come down and enjoy the atmosphere.
‘And the Festival of Youth will be taking over Tower House for the grand finale – The After Party - where there'll be music, dancing and a load of amazing performances throughout the night. From the team that brought you the Urban Variety show in 2011 this year's offering has come back bigger and better, with some special surprises in store.’
Mrs Anderson added: ‘Other ideas include a zombie walk on the lines of the successful town centre event last year, a “secret silent disco”, street theatre and living statues. Throughout the festival Tower House and the Strand Centre will be hosting all kinds of workshops and activities which, together with the grand finale, will capture the spirit of what we’re hoping will be a celebration of every type of young talent.’
The festival will be held on Saturday July 21st starting around 10.30am. More details will be issued in due course but for the time being Gill Anderson is inviting all budding young performers - bands to rappers, bmx-ers and skaters to motocrossers, free runners to dancers, and “zombies” - to get in touch.
