Whether relaxing in the park or shopping in the city centre, residents can expect to be entertained by a riot of colour, song, dance and contemporary circus skills this summer as the Appetite programme goes large.
Now in its third year, Appetite has built a hunger for the arts in Stoke-on-Trent amongst thousands of city residents with a programme ranging from small and intimate events to large outdoor theatre spectacles.
The Big Feast is back on 28-30 August following the fabulous response from local people at last year’s event. The Big Feast is an outdoor art festival in the city centre jam-packed with fun for everyone to enjoy.
From a brightly dressed New Orleans style marching band playing ‘90s “Madchester scene” classics to French artists, Rara Woulib leading a nocturnal music procession through the city streets, The Big Feast serves up something for everyone.
Mr Wilson’s Second Liners involves a gloriously colourful, Sergeant Pepper style band blasting out hit songs as they pay homage to their heroes from Manchester’s Hacienda club.
Meanwhile, Rara Woulib will give a very different take on the music scene with Deblozay, their interpretation of how Haitian culture celebrate life.
Deblozay means “bedlam” in Haitian and Rara Woulib will lead a procession from Hanley Park to the Etruria Industrial Museum on Friday, 28 August and Saturday 29 August as dusk falls.
A further highlight of The Big Feast will be Carousel by the highly acclaimed Southpaw Dance Company.
Featuring a fully functioning merry-go-round, Carousel is an edgy, visually spectacular story about life in a fairground after dark told through music, dance and drama.
Carousel is taking place at Central Forest Park on 28-29 August and tickets are now available starting from £3.50.
Also at Central Forest Park is Weighting, an outdoor circus spectacle combining circus, dance and theatre by integrated circus company, Extraordinary Bodies.
The cast includes seven exceptional disabled and non-disabled performers who take to the air on a huge and impressive set in a joyful exploration of equilibrium and balance. They are accompanied by a five-piece band playing a beautiful original score and backed by a local community choir.
​Karl Greenwood, Appetite’s Project Director, said: “The Big Feast brings the brightest and best of the UK and international arts world to Stoke-on-Trent.
“The festival offers a unique opportunity for local people to experience a vibrant and varied assortment of top quality art on their doorstep from circus to dance. We want to invite local people to come along, join in the fun and enjoy the experience together” explained Karl.
“Local community hubs have worked closely with Appetite to develop The Big Feast and other arts projects across the city. Building strong working relationships with local people is a key part of our strategy in ensuring we can continue to develop these types of events for many years to come.”
While headline acts such as Carousel, Deblozay and Weighting are ticketed, most of the activity at The Big Feast is free to enjoy.
Hours of fun can be enjoyed at Monster Colours by Tombs Creatius as this features a collection of beautifully decorated, fun and interactive handmade wooden games for all ages to play and test their skills on.
The Lift by Wet Picnic involves an elegant elevator on wheels complete with three traditionally dressed bell boys. Audiences are invited inside and choose one of 10 “floors” to receive a mini theatrical performance.
Soul of Fado brings the dance of Lisbon to the Potteries as Portuguese dancers and performers, Nuno Silva, take to the streets of Hanley.
Meanwhile, The Oasis Social Club, which attracted enthusiastic audiences in Portland Street in June, makes a welcome return visit to the city, popping-up in the city centre during The Big Feast weekend.
For a full rundown of The Big Feast 2015 programme and to find out how to book your tickets please visit www.appetitestoke.co.uk/whatson.
Catch all the latest news on Twitter by following the hash tag #BigFeast15.
ENDS
For media enquiries contact Nigel Howle on 0776204346, email [email protected]

Notes to Editors:
Appetite is the Creative People and Places programme taking place in Stoke-on-Trent from 2013 to 2016. Appetite aims to get more people in Stoke-on-Trent to experience and be inspired by the arts. This investment in the arts and cultural sector of the area aims to mobilise and strengthen the skills, knowledge and infrastructure that already exists within the area and provide unprecedented opportunities for more people to see, make and influence more art in the city.
The Appetite programme is funded by Arts Council England and is led by the New Vic Theatre in partnership with B Arts, Brighter Futures, Partners in Creative Learning and Staffordshire University. It is supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

For further information on Appetite contact Karl Greenwood, Project Director. Telephone 01782 381373 (ext 310) or email [email protected]
Visit the Appetite website at www.appetitestoke.co.uk