Bristol City of Sanctuary Launch
When: Wed 22nd June 15:00
Where: Council House
Cost: Free
We'd like to invite you to the launch of Bristol as a City of Sanctuary on
Wednesday 22nd June 2011.
This is a celebration of Bristol's culture of hospitality and an opportunity
to show those seeking sanctuary in our city that they are welcome here. It
follows on from Bristol County Council pledging their support to City of
Sanctuary on 16th November last year, and the endorsement of the City of
Sanctuary National Network on 2nd March.
There will be a formal civic ceremony at Council House with the Lord Mayor,
the Leader of Bristol City Council and representatives from faith
communities, local businesses and community groups as well as you, our
supporters.
Bristol City of Sanctuary will launch on Wednesday June 22nd - http://www.cityofsanctuary.org/bristol - It is all free but Please RSVP for the first part in the Council House as numbers are limited!!
We would love you to come along to the launch of Bristol as a City of Sanctuary on June 22nd which starts at 3pm in the Council House with a Civic Ceremony of Welcome, tea and cakes and finishes with a spectacular performance in Bristol Cathedral! It is our city's promise of sanctuary to refugees and asylum seekers coming to Bristol to start a new life here. Bristol has had a diverse population from its very beginning, and rich cultural veins run deep in the identity of today's Bristol. June 22nd is an historical moment in the story of Bristol and its citizenship, a chance to take part in a unique event. Do join us!!
Even if you are unable to come, you might be able to help us at this stage of preparing a wonderful event as We are still looking for:
Schools to join the choir to sing our specially composed Sanctuary Song - travel paid! Schools who wish to take part can have a workshop with the composer Richard Barnard and Laurie Stewart from Sing Up to learn the song.
Adult singers who would like to join the choir - rehearsal on Monday 19th June 6pm - 7.30pm
People working with refugees and asylum seekers to have a stand in the "market place" in the Council House
People of different faiths to read out short statements of welcome and sanctuary
Please contact June Burrough if you are interested or have suggestions on june a_t pieriancentre d_o_t com or 0117 9244512
If you cannot make 3pm you can join us at 4.15 pm for the Procession across College Green or at 5pm in Bristol Cathedral for our Promenade performance there - see details below. Just come along as there will be plenty of room -
The event will be split into three distinct sections, similar to a play of three acts.
Act I - Civic Ceremony 3pm - Booking essential
Location: Council House
Theme: Welcome
Act II - A Carnival-Type Procession 4.15pm - join in at any stage
Location: College Green
Theme: Contribution
Act III - A Promenade Performance 5pm - don't miss out on this bit!
Location: Bristol Cathedral
Theme: Sanctuary
A specially composed Sanctuary Song by Richard Barnard will complete a performance of Welcome and Celebration for refugees and asylum seekers at Bristol Cathedral. It will be a citizens statement of welcome and action, sung by young people from across the city joined by adults from various choirs and choral groups.
And do tell everyone you know to come along to support and celebrate!!
The programme for the day is as follows:
15:00 - Tea at Council House followed by speeches from the Leader of Council,
Lord Mayor and other speakers.
16:15 - Procession across College Green to Bristol Cathedral.
17:00 - Event at Bristol Cathedral to celebrate Bristol's Refugee community's
contribution to the City.
We'd also like to take this opportunity to put out a Call for Expressions Of
Interest from any artsists, musicians or performers who would like to take
part in this launch event. If you wish to express your interest, please do so
by Sunday 8th May.
The event will be split into three distinct sections, which transition
seamlessly from one to the next. Moving through these ‘acts’ will take
the audience on a physical, emotional and representational journey. This
event is organized by City of Sanctuary Bristol Steering Committee.
The City of Sanctuary Bristol Launch will take place on Wednesday 22nd June
2011 as follows:
Act I: Council House 3.00pm – 4.15pm
Civic Ceremony – Theme of Welcome
Artists will greet people with music and song as they arrive for the Civic
Ceremony, weave in and out of the audience during Afternoon Tea and bid them
farewell as they leave the Council House.
Act II: College Green 4.15pm – 5.00pm
A Carnival-Type Procession – Theme of Contribution
A spectacular, colourful choreography of unfurling and undulating umbrellas
will snake its way across College Green accompanied by a jamboree of music,
song, dance and intermittent performances by artists. There will be a simple,
especially composed song for the performers and audience to participate in.
Act III: Bristol Cathedral 5.00pm – 6.00pm
A Promenade Performance – Theme of Sanctuary
This site-specific extravaganza will take the form of a promenade with a
Compère/Ringmaster to guide the audience around the space, ensuring
attention is brought to each performance as they ‘pop up’ in surprising
places. As the audience leaves, half muffled bells will be rung signifying
celebration and reflection.
Whether you will be performing or not, we hope that you will be able to join
us on June 22nd. It promises to be an extraordinary day.
We are seeking:
* Highly skilled, confident Refugee performers (solo musicians, bands or
groups, singers, dancers, actors, poets, circus, etcetera) who can play a
part in this groundbreaking event.
* A highly skilled, confident and experienced solo performer to take on the
role of Compère/Ringmaster.
* To populate Platforma’s new website with details of South West based
artists (see below).
To register your interest, please contact Liz Mitchell at
liz a_t pierian d_o_t co d_o_t uk, or 07949 363350, by no later than Sunday 8th May
stating the following:
* Type of Act
* Number of Performers
* Short description of what you do
* In which part(s) of the South West you are based
* We may have funding for travel and fees, so an estimate for those would
help!
This is the perfect opportunity to show your support for City of Sanctuary,
but more importantly a great chance to be part of a celebration of all the
things that make Bristol such a warm, hospitable and welcoming city.
Thanks,
Bristol City of Sanctuary