Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

20th June 2019

Have an inspirational solstice and make your own Stonehenge! Vegan picnics, free parties, celebrate refugees!

Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

20th June 2019

Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

20th June 2019

EVENT, MAKE Sun Arise
Summer solstice falls on Friday. Why not mark it with your family? Our writer, Glennie Kindred, has some inspirational ideas for celebrations and reflections. Or find our ideas for alternative midsummer celebrations from around the world here. Of course, many head to Stonehenge to welcome the sun – there is no charge and there is free access to the stones, or head to Avebury or Callenish for a (slightly) more low-key experience. Alternatively, build your own henge! There are directions for making a full-size ‘replica’ here which might not have the stones, but shows the theory behind the monument. Alternatively, you’ll find a more arty, mini representation here. Even the smallest kids can get in on the action!

EVENT Welcome Stranger
Now, more than ever, we need to understand why people seek sanctuary in the UK, as well as celebrating their contributions. Refugee Week is the umbrella for an incredible variety of events; plays that tell the story of past exiles, art exhibitions that include work from asylum seekers, festivals with music, poetry and dance – we love the sound of Sheffields’ pay-what-you-can Migration Matters Festival that celebrates the positive impact migration and refugees have had on the area through theatre and arts.

EVENT, RECIPE, DO Hamper Scamper
The weather looks to be finally clearing up – just in time for National Picnic Week. It’s a spur to shake out those blankets and bring out your baskets to enjoy eating together as a group outdoors. First pick your spot – perhaps you’ll go to the local park, or maybe somewhere a little more spectacular. Find some vegan recipe inspiration here, including the crowd-pleasing Baba Ganoush and a delicious Vietnamese Tofu Sandwich outdoor picnic games here. Take the opportunity to play together! If you’re feeling creative you could make some land art or capture some photos of the natural world

EVENT Roots and Culture
Whirl and twirl to a weekend of performances from some of Africa’s greatest performers at Liverpool’s free Africa Oyé festival. For 27 years, Sefton Park has been transformed into a colourful, vibrant party with food, music and art from Africa and the wider African diaspora at the largest festival of African and Caribbean music in Britain. Dance your socks off to traditional African music, roots, salsa, soca, reggae and more at this truly international event that harnesses the spirit of multiculturalism and tolerance. This year, Soweto’s high-energy funk band BCUC hit the stage boasting hip-hop influences blended with punk rock attitude, alongside the legendary Horace Andy, and Algerian force of nature Sofiane Saidi showcases his ear-popping new take on classic 80s Rai music. Saturday and Sunday.

EVENT Bridge The Noise
One of the most progressive towns in the UK, Hebden Bridge always punches above its weight when it comes to attracting performing talent, so the annual Arts Festival is stacked with wonderful shows and events. Discover the story of circus in Britain at Miss Lily’s Victorian Circus Game and Exhibition, turn computer junk into noise machines, watch short plays written by primary school children, and print your own robot – all for free. Don’t miss this weekend’s Street Sunday, with acrobats, vaudeville waiters on wheels, madcap music comedy and a rousing jazz brass band. Until June 30

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