Barnaby seeks ‘front room’ festival venues

Image: Drama being performed at Costa Coffee Photo by Maddie Graham 

Barnaby Festival is calling for Macclesfield residents to turn parts of their homes into venues for Barnaby 2016 next June – in a bid to put the event further into the local community and support its ‘space’ theme.

The plan will see some Macclesfield homes transformed into exciting performance venues – a unique opportunity for residents and visitors who can donate their garden or living room for a few hours but in return get the chance to play host to an artist, musician or performer.

Karl Wallace, Barnaby’s Festival Director, comments, “With ‘space’ being our big theme for 2016 we want to be more creative than ever about the spaces and people that host the festival – even using front rooms, gardens, back yards or kitchens.

“Anyone can volunteer – all you need is a good space, maybe with an interesting history, sociable feel or homely environment.”

Wallace is hoping to add half a dozen houses and half a dozen gardens or yards to the line-up and has already had several expressions of interest from possible ‘home venues’.

“With Macclesfield not having its own dedicated cultural venue Barnaby has always relied on commercial and disused buildings within the town – it’s part of what it’s all about and we hope to take it one step further in 2016,” Wallace continued. “Barnaby is a festival by the people for the people and this opportunity gives residents the chance to show their community spirt and help in an original way, sharing the experience with neighbours, friends and other visitors.”

The festival is also on the hunt for residents who would like to donate their prominent window sills for a creative art installation around the town.

Residents interested in volunteering part of their home or windowsill should email mail@barnabyfestival.org.uk before 10 November 2015.