AN arts project to mark the end of The Bowes Museum’s 125th anniversary will go ahead after organisers secured thousands of pounds to cover the cost of staging the event.
Fishdance, a community dance and music project, was put in doubt after Barnard Castle Town Council withdrew an offer of £2,000.
However, the museum has been awarded £5,000 from Northern Heartlands Community Initiative Fund, managed by County Durham Community Foundation, as well as receiving additional pledges of support from two anonymous donors, allowing Fishdance to take place.
The museum will now press ahead with inviting community groups and participants from across Teesdale to get involved in creative workshops making costumes, recording music, choreographing the performance and creating a sculpture using the iconic Silver Swan as inspiration.
Fishdance will culminate with a performance immediately before the Meet parade on Monday, May 28.
Matthew Read, director of the Centre for Craft at The Bowes Museum, said: “We hope this outward looking event will engage groups from across Teesdale in a community celebration.
“Using The Bowes Museum’s Swan automaton as inspiration, groups of ‘fishes’ will dance their way from the streets and alleyways of the town, drawn as one by reimagined Swan music.
“We want to recruit younger people, community groups and enthusiastic individuals to take part. We need dancers, music groups and volunteers.”
The museum is organising the event jointly with the TCR Hub, which will arrange the music, and The Witham, which will choreograph the performance.
The museum’s Centre for Craft will help participants create costumes for the performance and a sculpture to be the focal point of the performance.
Katy Taylor, executive director of The Witham, said “The Witham are delighted to be part of this innovative project, which will really bring the streets of Barnard Castle to life.
“We will be using our links to the contemporary dance professionals in the region and running workshops running up to the Fishdance.”
Rachel Tweddle, TCR Hub chief officer, added: “We are excited to work on this unique project, which we hope will introduce the skill of writing and recording music to new groups of people at The Hub and make a vibrant addition to the traditional Meet parade.”
It is hoped visitors to the town on the weekend of the performance will join in with participatory workshops to make devices to recreate the spirit of the beckoning river Tees.
Meet weekend organisers said they were enthusiastic at the chance to be involved with the Fishdance project, in collaboration with the Centre of Craft at The Bowes Museum.
Anyone interested in taking part in the event can register on The Bowes Museum website, e-mail fishdance@the bowesmuseum.org.uk with their contact details or call into the museum in person.
