Flying high at Amy Johnson Festival with Beverley kites and Kardomah theatre
One of the moths which have appeared around the city as part of the Amy Johnson Festival.
CHARLIE Sellers and Maureen Lennon were at school together in Hull but barely knew each other. They met through acting and are now two key members of Bellow Theatre. They specialise in putting a fresh twist on old tales, and they’re presenting a captivating show “The Amy Johnson Fan Club” at Kardomah94 on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 July.
The one-woman show is performed by Charlie and directed by Hannah, who were selected by writer Rob Young for their enthusiasm and authenticity – Charlie grew up in the same part of Hull as Amy Johnson and the connection is clear with every word she speaks. She plays the part of a scruffy kid from Hessle Road who has bags of attitude and a special talent – she can fly! Doors open 7.30pm, show starts 8pm, price just £5, advance booking recommended.
The Far Horizons International Kite Weekend is one of the Festival’s big highlights. It takes place at Beverley Racecourse on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July and brings together people from around the world who are fantastic at making and flying the most spectacular kites.
You can bring a kite, buy a kite, let’s go fly a kite! You can even build your own in the kite-making workshops. It promises to be a great occasion, with tickets modestly priced and discounts for families. The event is open from 11am until 5pm each day and parking is free.
Other highlights of the coming week include movies, music and one of Amy’s old motors.
Altitude is a performance-parkour show commissioned by the Amy Johnson Festival. It will amaze visitors to Zebedee’s Yard with a thrilling family show combining free-running, circus, dance and theatre on a scaffold bi-plane. The Urban Playground Team will be offering an open workshop after each performance in which participants can try the basics out for themselves. It’s free, with performances at midday and 2.30pm on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July.
Also on display in Zebedee’s Yard on Saturday will be one of Amy’s cars. The 1933 Standard Avon Special was presented to Amy for daily use and promotional purposes. The interior leather is original and the exterior was re-painted in the original colours in 1990. It’s won awards, it still runs very well and it looks fantastic.
75 Second Films has received submissions from around the world to mark the 75th anniversary of Amy’s death. The portfolio includes stop frame animation, experimental film, short narrative and more, created by internationally acclaimed figures and comparative newcomers. You can meet some of them at the awards night at Kardomah94 at 7.30pm on Saturday 23 July. Free admission, but booking advisable. You can view the films at Kardomah94 from Tuesday 26 July until Saturday 30 July from 10am until 6pm.
A Concert for Amy brings together Beverley-bred composers Kerrin Tatman and Freya Bryson for the premiere of two Amy-inspired pieces inspired by Amy Johnson. The performance will mix vocal, piano, cello and accordion. And acrobatics. The show will feature aerial circus skills dancer Claire Harvey on a six-metre high rig. It all happens in Holy Trinity Church, Hull, at 7.30pm on Saturday July 30.
Meanwhile the Festival’s core attractions and activities continue. Don’t forget Da Vinci Engineered, featuring some of Leonardo da Vinci’s flight and wind machines alongside work by contemporary artists. The 12 models are from the Niccolai Collection at the Da Vinci Museum in Florence. They were built to Da Vinci’s designs using techniques and materials similar to those from the 15th and 16th centuries, and they are on display in the UK for the first time. The exhibition runs until Sunday 21 August and there will be a talk by artist Nicola Dale at the exhibition at 6pm on Thursday 28 July.
And then there are the moths – 26 around the city centre, another 22 in the suburbs, five in the East Riding and six further afield including one at the Science Museum in London.
For details of all activities please visit http://amyjohnsonfestival.co.uk/
