Harbour Fest Swindon is a multi-cultural arts festival, running from Thursday 13th to Saturday 15th October, to support local charity the Harbour Project.
The festival will show many sides of Swindon’s diverse art scene – festival events include pop-up art show, a Swindon film premiere, a special World Music Disco Party and BIG GIG.
The festival kicks off on Thursday 13th October with a free launch party at the Platform, Faringdon Road, featuring music, dance, drama and poetry.
Swindon City of Sanctuary, a new campaign to promote welcome and inclusion for people seeking refuge, will be launched at the same event.
Friday sees the Swindon Film Premiere of award-winning Leave to Remain, a film based on true stories of young asylum seekers arriving in Britain. The film’s director and co-writer Bruce Goodison will join us after the screening for questions and discussion.
The BIG GIG, on Saturday 15th October, features Swindon stars Misfires, Aural Candy and Hitesh Mistry, as well as Brighton jam-rapper MC Cashback, and London pop/soul/groove superstar Sonya Titus.
The festival aims to bring communities together – and raise awareness and funds for the Harbour Project, a Swindon charity which welcomes and supports newly-arrived refugees and asylum-seekers.
“This is the first time we’ve organised something so big” says festival co-ordinator and Harbour Project volunteer Jol Rose. “We still need help to get the thing off the ground, so anyone interested should get in touch.” he added.
The festival takes place over a number of venues with a range of cultures, arts and disciplines being represented. The full program is as follows:
Thurs 13 Oct – The Kick Off @ The Platform, Faringdon Road
7pm: Festival Opening Event and Launch of Swindon City of Sanctuary
With multi-cultural programme of music, song, dance and spoken word.
Free entry
Fri 14 Oct – Food, Film & Boogie @ Central Community Centre, Emlyn Square
3pm Pop-up art gallery opens, with live music from Swindon pianist and composer Adriana Beaumont-Thomas.
Refreshments provided | Free Entry
5.30pm Arabic Dinner
A unique sit-down dinner of Arabic cuisine created by our trained chef from Kuwait. Including kebabs, taboulah, salads, meat and veggie options.
7.30pm Swindon Film Premiere: Leave to Remain, with special guest Bruce Goodison (director & co-writer) talking about the movie and answering your questions.
9.30pm World Music Disco Party till late with DJs from Swindon & Bristol.
Pop-up art Free Entry | Arabic Dinner £10 | Film, speaker and party £5
Sat 15 Oct – BIG GIG @ The Platform, Faringdon Road
7pm Misfires, Sonya Titus, Aural Candy, Mr Cashback, Hitesh Mistry plus special guests £3
There is an after party at Baila Coffee and Vinyl
Details of all the events, plus how you can still get involved, are on the website: www.harbourproject.org.uk/harbour-fest-swindon
