Cambridgeshire Music, the county hub for music education and arts therapies, wants to spark an interest in the arts in as many local people as possible and is extending a special invitation: it is laying on a day of free arts activities for the residents of Huntingdon and the wider Cambridgeshire community.
The Open Day on Saturday 1 July (10am-3pm) – described as a Creative Community Celebration – will offer a whole range of creative workshops that children and parents can take part in.
The event organisers believe that there is already a wealth of exciting arts activity in the region, but feel many in the community may not know what is available, or how to access it.
Anyone can turn up and try free ‘mini lessons’ in all kinds of instruments in small groups, suitable for the whole family. If you’ve always fancied trying out instruments such as the guitar, violin, cello, double bass, trumpet or trombone then you can join one of the small group 45- minute sessions. Or get on the drums to become part of an impromptu samba ensemble.
Arts and crafts sessions will teach you the basics of dressmaking, or how about learning to knit? You can also explore the tastes of the world in the cookery session, or just enjoy eating the fruits of the cooks’ labour at the free lunch provided. Would-be gamers can spend time exploring coding on the Raspberry Pi, while those looking for some calm in their lives can experience a therapeutic mindfulness session.
Arts therapy is a particular area of specialism for Cambridgeshire Music. Fascinating classes will demonstrate the benefits of music and drama therapies, showing how these powerful therapies can improve the lives of those with physical disabilities or mental illness such as dementia.
Courses will be led by experts from a range of local organisations, including Cambridgeshire Music, Gap Learning, the Norris Museum, the contemporary arts programme Collusion, and Huntingdon Regional College – demonstrating and celebrating the richness of creative opportunities in the community.
The Cambridgeshire Music Open Day starts at 10am and runs until 3pm, with free lunch at midday. Everyone is welcome to come along, join in, give something new a try and get inspired! Workshops start on the hour, every hour.
The Cambridgeshire Music Open Day is at 36 Mayfield Road, Huntingdon, PE 29 1NL, from 10am until 3pm on Saturday 1 July.
Cambridgeshire Music provides a range of activities for children and young people in its role as a music service. It facilitates or funds music in over 200 schools across the county, providing individual instrumental lessons to over 3,000 families. It organises choirs and the county orchestras and bands. It also supports the classroom curriculum and runs many special projects and events relating to music, dance and drama. It is the Lead Partner for the Music Education Hub in Cambridgeshire, and is based in Huntingdon with 80 staff. Each year a number of large-scale projects, such as Sing For Your School, take place involving large numbers of schools and other partners. Cambridgeshire Music is part of the Learning Directorate of Cambridgeshire County Council.
Find out more at www.cambridgeshiremusic.org.uk
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Contact Charlotte Sankey at Creative Warehouse for press queries: 07957 327868
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