Barnaby 2016 – Live Events open call

Barnaby is calling for ‘Live Event’ proposals on the theme ‘Space’ to be part of the 2016 festival taking place in Macclesfield town centre from Friday 17 to Sunday 26 June, 2016.

In the first open call of its kind, the sky’s the limit – performers and musicians, poets and writers, dancers, inventors and big thinkers, film makers and food makers, heritage and arts organisations, circus and street artists and more are invited to think boldly! Organisers are looking for ambitious ‘live’ projects which interpret the theme – from cosmic outer space to quiet inner space, alien invasions to tiny tales, exploring quirky places to hidden spaces – and anything in-between.

Kark Wallace, Festival Director explained: “Barnaby has always included fascinating and fun events and activities which have come from the imaginations of Maxonians. This time we’re encouraging people to go where Barnaby hasn’t gone before – with original proposals on the theme ‘Space’.”  

The whole 2016 festival programme will be on the theme ‘Space’, inspired both by the world class observatory at Jodrell Bank and Macclesfield’s historic, nooks and crannies.  It’s a really flexible theme which is already generating great ideas says Wallace: “Space could be the subject of the event, but space could also be about the location for the event.  For instance, maybe there’s an activity that brings the community together to tidy, celebrate or reclaim a space? A walking tour of secret spaces, an adventure using the town centre as a stage? Could your group transform a phone boxes into a library, turn shared yards into communal gardens, put 5 minute plays into unexpected places?” 

Barnaby 2016 will feature the usual rich mix of music, street shows, comedy, performance, film, walks and talks focussed in the town centre over the ten days of the festival, as well as the hugely popular Carnival Parade which will take place on Saturday 18 June, 2016.

Successful ‘Live Events’ proposals will be programmed alongside work commissioned by the Festival on the theme ‘Space’, including a unique, participatory event from Macclesfield based Wild Rumpus – the team behind the ‘Just So Festival’, community-engagement projects delivered by Macclesfield Community ArtSpace, visual arts commissions, and an expanded music line-up all supported by Arts Council England.

Costed proposals for ‘Live Events’ must be submitted by Friday 9 October.  Further information, details of the selection criteria and submission form are available on the Barnaby Festival website or from mail@barnabyfestival.org.uk