24-31 MAY 2024
EDITION FIVE

From 24 – 31 May, the ‘Our Future Starts Here’ programme will explore issues of our time through innovative arts and culture, also highlighting the global-leading industries based in North East Lincolnshire.

National touring outdoor performances are coupled with creative participation opportunities, ‘green learning’ and children’s activities.

Grimsby-based creative organisation The Culture House is getting ready to present the next edition of its arts and culture programme – Our Future Starts Here, which is designed to get us thinking and talking about issues of our time while increasing our understanding of the future-facing innovation happening in Grimsby and the Humber.

Supported by Create North East Lincolnshire, Arts Council England and Without Walls and sponsored by DFDS, Ørsted and local accountancy firm AP Robinson … the 2024 programme promises to be future-facing, thought-provoking, interesting and fun, providing a space to explore what sustainable futures mean for us all, encompassing ‘community, creativity and connectivity’.

As part of this latest edition there will be a ‘feel good’ singing event, as part of Our Future Starts Here’s well-being strand, family orientated, quality outdoor performance around the Projekt Renewable box park and in Duke of York Gardens, installations, nature activities, accessible workshops, talks and debates on subjects such as AI and social media, plus creative participation activity and music events showcasing experimental music talent originating from Grimsby.

Culture House Director, Charlotte Bowen, said:

“Our Future Starts Here is a future-facing programme of culture that aims to raise awareness of what more sustainable and inclusive futures might mean for all of us.

“We know that we need to start looking after the planet and each-other more and so we have produced what we hope is an inspiring programme touching on these themes.

“As a cultural organisation, we also want to promote the fact that creativity plays an important role in enjoying quality of life and in regenerating the places we live, which is something that motivates us to bring colour, joy and interesting activities to the streets.

“Added to this, we love highlighting local talent and also feel that if residents understood more about Grimsby’s ‘global leading’ industries they would have more reason to feel proud of their place.

You are invited to an evening of uplifting live performance and invited to come along and Sing Your Heart Out – or to just enjoy others singing out theirs – at this event showcasing fantastic local talent while offering you the chance to let it flow.

The amazing and award-winning All for One choir will headline the event with a range of upbeat popular songs that you can sing along to without fear of judgement, with the incredibly talented Blaze Senior (youth) Choir also taking to the stage and encouraging participation. The wonderful Chloey Rose will be singing her heart out too while the uber talented Mardy Johnny Depps will do what they do best – perform their quality sound with the most amazing voices that you’re free to harmonise to in your own way!

Bar available prior to event and during interval

This is a free event that needs to be booked but with donations accepted on the door (card and cash).

Join artists Sarah Allen and Lewis Marsden for this drop in outdoor workshop (indoor if raining) that is open and accessible to all.

You are invited to use natural dyes, foraged/upcycled painting tools (sticks, twigs, leaves) and open hearts & minds, to create large-scale collaborative artworks that explore the power of creativity to connect us to each other and our earth.

Before the day, the artistic team will be making their own natural dyes (for example from beetroot, blueberries, red cabbage and grass clippings) as well as their own large charcoal sticks.

You will be welcomed to ‘make your mark’ while discussions about the different ways we make our mark on the world might open up.

This activity, accessible to all, will result in two large abstract paintings that will change and shift shape throughout the day.

You can then either take home the natural brushes or return them to the earth and in addition, instructions will be provided for participants to make their own natural dyes at home should they wish to explore this way of working again.

Take some time out and take a seat in Slow Circular Earth’s Eco Cafe and gain the know how in this laid back setting on how to live more sustainably, with creative and fun activities offered for children.

See colourful and skilful circus performances including hula hooping, chair acrobatics and poi from this local company.

Join local print artists Lucy & Wendy of What If We Create, for a fun printmaking workshop reusing Lego tiles to create printing plates! Learn this accessible and innovative form of printmaking, suitable for all ages and skill levels.

Reuse flat Lego tiles to create intricate patterns and designs on a base plate. These plates are then inked and rolled through presses, leaving behind a pixelated image for you to take home.

These drop in sessions are usually very popular and we will be operating on a first come basis so please be patient.

Serving Sounds is a multi-sensory sound installation that creates connection through music – a bar that serves bass, rather than beer. The installation is an interactive work, playful and joyful with spaces for up to four people of all ages to interact with the bar at any one time, with each experience lasting up to the length of a song.

As you arrive, you’ll find the ordinary items you’d usually expect to find, such as glasses, beermats and the odd bit of change. But at this bar, these items when touched will create a groove, a sound, strings, a snare, maybe a guitar, or synths if you like. Have fun!

A fun and upbeat outdoor performance event for all the family, which celebrates and takes inspiration from the exquisite traditional art of Indian and Persian miniature painting.

Performers in sumptuous costumes create vibrant and colourful mini worlds of dance, music and puppetry in this comedic take on these illustrations of ‘serene’ women, who come alive and break out of their stereotypical status with acrobatic moves to beatboxing and hip hop!

Help our ‘well-behaved’ characters break free and appreciate their unseen talent.

Parade is a moving performance inspired by the beauty, power and impact of people from different walks of life coming together, featuring The Giant Wheel ‘powered’ by six street artists and accompanied by music and a community cast of local groups and performers. Autin Dance Theatre uses its blend of storytelling and innovative large designs to transport audiences and participants along a choreographed procession.

This 50-minute flowing act has three ‘pause’ moments intended to highlight the tension between our individual identities and our shared collective humanity.
Ultimately, Parade is about celebrating different journeys while acknowledging our shared life struggles.

The Giant Wheel carries the performers up high, spins them around turning their worlds upside down, at times speeding them up, and at others rocking them gently back and forth, imitating the repetitive cycle of life.

Join author Katie Hopper and her little creative team following the launch of their new book The Trees Within Us All.

The book sensitively addresses nervous system regulation and anxiety and Katie will be bringing along a ‘Tree of Positivity’ for children to hang a leaf on (with something from their ‘regulation station’ as per the book’s message).

Join Ashley Butterfield for bug hunting and bug identifying as well as nature-based craft activities.

Join Malcolm Brushell, professional painter and amateur alchemist, on his quest to find the pinky-est pink paint on the planet! Through cracking rocks, mashing every conceivable vegetable, and even bottling and fermenting his own cow’s wee, he has created every colour imaginable…except for that rascally illusive pink, but he won’t give up!

A colourful explosion of puppetry, music and comedy, join the race to create the most pigmented pink paint ever patented! The Lost Colour by award winning Half a String is the first show designed for The Puppet Van, taking puppetry to a place near you! Perfect for families with children aged 5+.

Make a puppet in this fun hands-on workshop. Cut, stick and paint your way to creating a simple puppet that is yours to imagine into anything you want it to be. Bring your creativity along and let loose!
Suitable for ages 4+.

Children can enjoy one to one kids canoe experiences connecting with our beautiful River Freshney. Please form an orderly queue!

According to the latest data, 11 – 14 year-olds spend as many as 9 hours per day on their screens, a statistic which research suggests could be having adverse effects on physical and mental health.

Pass by and watch teenagers doing what they seem to do most of these days – scrolling, Snapchatting, Instagramming, posting, immersed, connected yet disconnected, seemingly oblivious to the world around them…

A night of experimental, boundary pushing music from talent originating from North East Lincs with guest artists.

First up, hear experimental sounds from The Starbard on guitar, piano and ipad.

Headlining is Martin Wright, aka PyraMidi – a pioneering figure in the realm of electronic music. With a career spanning over three decades, Martin is a founding member of the band Insanity Sect, finding early success with their records and making waves not only in the UK but also across America and Europe.

Martin also became an integral part of the Quest Project collective in London and has remained dedicated to pushing the boundaries of sound, delving into various genres including electronica, IDM, ambient, dub, and acid. His music promises to offer listeners an ‘immersive sonic experience’.

Tickets £8 – Booking required due to limited space

Is there something you’d like to express? Come and share thoughts, poems or just your experiences in an event of live music, truths and story-telling.

The Confessional is a unique project that blends live, improvised music as a background to the traditional ‘Soap-Box’, basically inviting anyone to get up and talk about something important to them – in these times, is there something you would love to stand up and express or get off your chest, in a ‘safe-space’, in public?

It might be a poem, it might be a funny story, it might be your free-flowing thoughts, or it might just be recollections from times gone-by… all of this and more are welcome at The Confessional.

Tickets £5 – Booking required due to limited space.

With rapid advancements in the world of AI, we offer some family workshops to support understanding of where it’s all going, with the chance to have some ‘hands-on’ experience.

AI Family Workshop

Projekt Renewable
10.30-11.30am, 12.30-1.30pm (repeat)
For ages 8+. Limited spaces. Must be booked in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Led by Lewis Hackett of Prefix Studios this session aims to raise understanding of how AI works and what kind of world children will be in, in 5 – 15 years time, also exploring ‘harm reduction’ and potential concerns. Then children will be able to participate in fun activities which highlight the human creative process enhanced by AI.

AI for Creatives Workshop

Projekt Renewable
2.30-4.30pm
Limited spaces. Must be booked in advance.

Understand how to use AI as a tool for creativity in your work. 

This workshop led by Lewis Hackett, Director at  Prefix Studios will focus on broadening knowledge of AI developments in relation to artistic and design careers. Lewis will then be demonstrating available tools and how they can be used in various workflows to embellish the human design process. 

Lewis Hackett is a multidisciplinary artist with a background in fine art who specialises in integrating emerging technologies within film, animation, game design, and real-time content as the director of Prefix Studios. Lewis has also lectured on design modules at Bradford University and leads a variety of workshops focused on the intersection of technology and art.Recently, his primary focus has been on researching and developing generative AI technologies for leading-edge projects, including AI Games at Geppetto, AI Film at Pillars, and Showrunner at Fable Studio.

AI Public Panel Event & Podcast

Grimsby Town Hall
6pm-8pm
Limited spaces. Must be booked in advance.

Hear presentations from creative professionals using AI in their work, followed by a discussion about where AI is heading, the benefits and challenges.

Hear presentations from creative professionals using AI in their work, followed by a discussion about where AI is heading, including the benefits and challenges. 

Is AI stealing artistic work? Is it still worth pursuing a career in the creative industries? What are the ethical concerns about AI in copyright and ownership?

How can we trust visual information now that it can be doctored and generated more easily?

Listen to what is sure to be a lively discussion

The panel will be recorded as a podcast. Open to all.

PANEL

Lewis Hackett

Lewis Hackett is a multidisciplinary artist with a background in fine art who specialises in integrating emerging technologies within film, animation, game design, and real-time content as the director of Prefix Studios.

Lewis has also lectured on design modules at Bradford University and leads a variety of workshops focused on the intersection of technology and art, in addition to providing private tutoring in game design.

Recently, his primary focus has been on researching and developing generative AI technologies for leading-edge projects, including AI Games at Geppetto, AI Film at Pillars, and Showrunner at Fable Studio.

Tracy Harwood

Professor of Digital Culture

Director, Art AI Festival

De Montfort University, Leicester

 Tracy researches the impacts of emerging technologies on users, businesses and markets, and has published in leading marketing and digital creativity journals. 

She is director of the award-winning Art AI Festival and co-host of an international podcast on machinima (machine cinema), called And Now For Something Completely Machinima. Her recent research includes work on AI, Internet of Things, haptics, VR/AR, digital twins and machinima. 

Her co-authored book on Pioneers in Machinima (Vernon Press) is currently listed in over 700 libraries around the world.  A summary of her work and related observations was accepted as evidence by the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee Inquiry on “A Creative Future” (2022).  

Annabel McCourt

British artist based in Grimsby, Annabel McCourt recently co-produced with fellow artist Adrian Riley, an AI enabled, interactive public art installation.

WALK THIS WAY invited the public to ‘make shapes’ based on Annabel’s existing public art, which were then interpreted by AI into text, displayed in real time.

An enhancement of their Murmuration and Come Follow Me artworks in St James’ Square, (commissioned by Grimsby Creates and Our Big Picture) WALK THIS WAY was co-created with visual artists that use software, programming and emerging technology, Rod Dickinson and Sarah Selby.

Join local print artists Lucy & Wendy of What If We Create, for a fun printmaking workshop reusing LEGO tiles to create printing plates! Learn this accessible and innovative form of printmaking, suitable for all ages and skill levels.

Re-use Lego, ink, brayers, and printing presses to create your own designs. This workshop is perfect for adults and children to experiment with different shapes, colours, overlays, and textures.

We will provide all materials and you will be able to take your creations home.  

The ink we use for this workshop is washable however please wear suitable clothing as it may stain fabrics, we will provide aprons but advise you to roll up your sleeves.

Choose a 40-minute session between 10am and 4pm. Sessions start at 10 am, 11.45am, 1.30pm and 3pm. Please arrive in good time.

Bring anything along that might need repairing to Grimsby in Bloom’s award-winning repair shop. Tea, coffee and cake are available too!

FREE Carbon Literacy Training funded by Create North East Lincolnshire for North East Lincolnshire Creatives, through the Place Partnership Fund.

Carbon Literacy Training provides participants with the skills, knowledge and confidence to embed climate action in their personal and professional creatives lives.

Join this specialist Carbon Literacy Training delivered by SAIL, which is tailored to the creative sector, enabling all in the sector to reduce the carbon footprint of their creative activities.

The training includes 3 parts, all of which must be completed to gain certification.

The above session is Part 2, Part 1 is short period of self-led pre-learning and Part 3 is a post-session activity to gain Carbon Literacy certification.

Please visit event link for full details.

Struggle to get your teenager off their phone? Worried about what content they are seeing and what’s happening ‘on there’? Hear informed views from industry, researchers, safeguarding and therapy specialists, with a chance to get involved in an open discussion.

PANEL

Alexis Powell-Howard

Alexis has over 20 years’ experience as a psychotherapist and is a professional speaker, a TEDx speaker, and the Managing Director of Fortis Therapy & Training, which provides multi-award-winning mental health and emotional wellbeing services to schools, businesses, organisations, and private individuals. 

Lisa Smith

Through her role with the NSPCC, Lisa is the lead for Together for Childhood, Grimsby – a place-based partnership approach to preventing harm to children and their families, with a mission to enable them to thrive. Lisa will be joined by NSPCC Grimsby-based social-worker Alison Owens.

Ben Carter

Professor at Kings College, London across the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, the School of Mental Health & Psychological Sciences and Department of Biostatistics & Health Informatics.

Ben leads a research group exploring the impact of technology and devices on children and has both led and contributed to several published studies on smartphone addiction.

Bailey Greetham Clark

Social entrepreneur Bailey delivers impactful community work in Lincolnshire and the Humber. As a TEDx Speaker, Lincolnshire ‘30 under 30’ awardee and nominee for Radio Humberside’s ‘Making a Difference 2024 Awards’, he is dedicated to creating positive change. As director of social enterprise Be Great Fitness, Bailey recently launched in partnership with medical professionals, teachers and fitness coaches, the Food for Thought project, a body positivity campaign designed to highlight how social media and unhealthy relationships with food can have negative impacts on young people.

Girls and young women aged 11 – 18 are invited to join this digital music workshop with Emily J Electric to experiment with ‘Ableton Push’, an expressive digital instrument, to make music. You’ll also find out about careers in music technology and where to learn more, through WIRED Online.

Emily Johnson (aka Emily J Electric) is an ‘Ableton Certified Trainer’, music producer, musician and performer who has performed all over Europe.

An experienced music tutor and workshop leader she has a particular interest in helping people achieve their creative goals through confidence and mindset.

Please book onto on one of the one hour sessions. For ages 11 – 18. Limited places available.

This workshop is part of WIRED, funded by Youth Music and managed by Yorkshire Sound Women Network.

Slow Circular Earth screens new documentary Six Inches of Soil 

You’re invited to a free screening of the recently-released documentary film Six Inches of Soil – a story of ‘courage, vision and hope’ following British farmers as they stand up against the industrial food system and seek to transform the way they produce food – to heal the soil, benefit our health and provide for local communities.

The screening will take place at Thursday 30 May, at 7pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm. The film lasts 1hr 36m with time for discussion afterwards.

Six Inches of Soil follows three new farmers on the first year of their regenerative journey – Anna Jackson, a Lincolnshire 11th generation arable and sheep farmer; Adrienne Gordon, a Cambridgeshire small-scale vegetable farmer; and Ben Thomas, who rears pasture-fed beef cattle in Cornwall. As the trio strive to adopt regenerative practices and create viable businesses, they meet seasoned mentors who help them on their journey. They’re joined by other experts providing wisdom and solutions from a growing movement of people who are dedicated to changing the trajectory for food, farming and the planet.

Amie Alissa Watson, founder of Slow Circular Earth, says, “We’re excited to host this screening and to share the messages in the film focussed on shifting UK food and farming towards more regenerative, agroecological practices for a more resilient system. We can’t wait to see the ideas and thoughts that come from the meaningful discussions that will follow the screening.”

Claire Mackenzie, Six Inches of Soil producer adds, “Community screenings are a hugely important part of our impact campaign. We’re so excited that Slow Circular Earth is hosting this event in partnership with Our Future Starts Here. It’s really important that people have discussions at a local level to find ways to move forward to create profitable food systems that benefit the community whilst looking after our soil and the environment in the best possible way.”

FREE. Limited spaces – tickets must be booked.

The Green Influencer VANEL After School Groups at Middlethorpe Primary and Beacon Academy would like to invite you to their Eco Pop-Up Event to explore how we can all make everyday life swaps to make a positive impact on our lives and the environment.

They will be:
– showcasing and selling alternative single use plastic items
– presenting their top tips on reducing waste to landfills
– displaying their research and ideas on how we can develop a healthy mind, body and planet
– providing recycled (plastic milk bottle) craft activities for all ages to enjoy
– giving you the chance to take part in a range of environmental quizzes

Why not pop in to join them on a shared journey for a better world!

One boy’s fin-tastic quest to save his river!

A tale of our times, this meaningful yet joyful adventure aimed at ages 6 – 100 is set to captivate audiences of all ages.

Follow young Tommy Minton on an unforgettable adventure as he goes on a hunt to discover where his best friend ‘fish’ has gone. With touches of humour, surprise and participation, this outdoor dance adventure celebrates friendship, uncovers what’s polluting our rivers and demonstrates the power of never giving up!

Let your imagination soar as this visual feast on incredible dance, circus and theatre will have you cheering Tommy all the way.

Fish Boy by 2Faced Dance is based on real stories and co-created with school children.

Running time: 45 mins

It’s bin day and two refuse collectors are heroically cleaning the streets. But what’s this? A dustbin that refuses rubbish. Delving into its depths, we discover that ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’, as a wonderful myriad of stories and treats ensue from all that is rubbish and recycled.

Rhubarb Theatre bring a dustbin of fun, a black sack of eco messages and heaps of mime, physical theatre, comedy, puppetry and creativity into this brand-new storytelling piece.

Running time: 30 mins. For ages 5+.

Calling young poets and performers!

Freestyle Academy CIC in partnership with The Culture House is launching a brand new digital soundscape project designed to empower young voices and give a platform to the next generation of creatives!

Come along and learn new skills in DJing, music production and performance while sharing your thoughts about Grimsby’s past, present and future, as an initial activity to kick start the project.

Freestyle Academy CIC is a music enrichment business that engages people of all ages and abilities through the use of music technology.

Meet at Projekt Renewable at 1pm for a river walk and talk with a Nature I-Spy for the kids, followed by a litter pick at Duke Of York Gardens.

All children will receive an environmental certificate at the end and there will be a short and informative talk about renewable energy.

All ages. No need to book, just turn up!

Back at base for 3pm when the second show of Fish Boy will be performed!