Tag: events

Great Yorkshire Events for Your Diary – July 2017

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Yorkshire truly comes alive during the summer, and July 2017 certainly isn’t going to prove an exception to that rule. Here are just a few top picks to pop in your calendar.

Great Yorkshire Show

The Great Yorkshire Show is one of the country’s leading agricultural events –  in fact, it’s the largest agricultural show in England. From July 11th to July 13th, you’ll join more than 130,000 visitors to the Harrogate showground in a celebration of English farming and rural life.

Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival

Now entering its 15th year, the award-winning Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival will run from July 20th through to July 23rd at the iconic Old Swan Hotel. A firm fixture in the literary calendar, it’s a thrilling event that has garnered international acclaim.

Hull Folk and Maritime Festival

More than 70 acts from the local area and across the globe will be performing across a diverse variety of venues. The acts themselves will be equally diverse; expect sing-arounds in local pubs, folk dancing displays in the streets, and the mooring of several historic vessels in the Marina. As an added plus, the event is running alongside the Minerva Real Ale Festival, which will offer 60 refreshing beers. Check it out from July 15th to July 17th.

Bridlington Open Beach Volleyball Championships

On July 8th and 9th, take advantage of the seasonal good weather to see over 100 teams battle it out in one of the largest Volleyball competitions in the country.

Driffield Show

With 30,000 people set to attend, this is quite possibly the biggest single-day country show in the UK. Crafts, country wear, and locally produced foods will all be on offer, and you’ll be able to view some of the country’s champion livestock. Head to the Driffield showground on July 19th.

Deershed Festival

A music festival that caters to the whole family, Deershed Festival will take place at Baldersby Park, Topcliffe from July 21st to 23rd. Aside from a whole host of musical acts, there will be comedy, spoken word shows, film screenings, workshops, and over 20 sporting competitions.

Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival

From July 22nd to 23rd you’ll be able to sample local spirits, beers, and food. Patron celebrity chef James Martin will be making an appearance on the 23rd and John Torode will be coming on the 22nd. The event will be held at Funkirk farm, and you’ll find live music, a vintage funfair, a kid’s craft area, and an artisan cookery school to keep you and your family busy between mouthfuls.

Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre

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The Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre is one of the most famous themed street markets in the West Midlands, and it’s one that you and your family shouldn’t think of missing this year. You’ll be able to explore the colours, sounds, and smells of a traditional Victorian Christmas, with a wonderful range of events, performers, and shopping experiences making this a Christmas market to remember.

As you might expect, there will be plenty of stalls set up throughout the centre of this stunning cathedral city. In fact, you’ll find up to 150 stalls dispensing everything from hand-carved Christmas tree ornaments to locally-produced cider and gingerbread.

As you make your way around those stalls, you’ll be swept into Christmastimes of the past by strains of barrel organ music, and the kids are welcome to jump aboard for a ride on a traditional Victorian carousel.

As you wend your way through the stalls and shops, keep your eyes out for ‘Solo Circus’ performers Phillippe Philloppe, also known as Steve White and Mark Russell. They’ll roam the Fayre performing juggling feats before your very eyes; these guys have been part of the Victorian Christmas Fayre from the very beginning, so there’s nobody better for getting you into the spirit. Thomas Trilby will also be there. An internationally experienced performer, he specialises in comedic historical walkabout characters, with some circus skills and improv mixed in for good measure.

There are also a whole host of separate activities to enjoy while you’re attending, including:

  • Christmas Fayre in the Cloisters: Head to Worcester Cathedral to enjoy some delicious mulled wine and mince pies inside the Chapter House, taking in outstanding views of the city and beyond from the top of the tower. You’ll also find Young Enterprise stalls set up in the College Halls, and the Cathedral’s Choir boys will be serenading with popular carols.
  • Gin Lane Clik Clik Collective: If you’re feeling adventurous, head down the dark alleyways of ‘Gin Lane’, a captivatingly unsavoury recreation of the Victorian Gothic. With interactive performances, music, and several shocking surprises, this is a fantastically unique Christmas treat.
  • The Commandery Worcester: If you’re looking for Christmas fun that the kids can enjoy, head to The Commandery for some Victorian-style merrymaking.

The Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre is celebrating its 24th anniversary from Thursday 24th November to Sunday 27th November 2016, so make sure you make time to get involved.

Hull City of Culture: Seasons

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Hull has been named the United Kingdom’s City of Culture for 2017, and the city is organising an event that will showcase the best of its traditional and contemporary culture, and that event will be taking place over the whole year. From January 1st to December 31st of 2017, the city will be playing host to numerous events, each of which will say something distinctive and captivating about Hull and its proud traditions.

As it’s to be a year-long festival, organisers have made the smart step of dividing the whole event into four separate seasons. Here’s a quick taste of what’s on offer from each.

Season One: Made in Hull

From the start of January through to the end of March, Hull will reinvent the nation’s preconceptions by showing what the city is really made of. Season One will be devoted to the diverse array of contributions that Hull has made to the world. Whether showcasing artistic accomplishments in areas such as theatre, music, and poetry, or technological innovations, such as wind turbines, Hull’s legacy of great innovators will be celebrated.

Season Two: Roots and Routes

Running from April through to the end of June, Season Two will look beyond the city itself to capture the ways in which Hull has become intricately and intimately connected to the world beyond its borders. As a place of migration and transitions within an increasingly connected world, the city will celebrate its position as a place where paths cross and journeys begin. Roots and Routes will bring an international flavour while Hull shines as the centre of UK culture during 2017.

Season Three: Freedom

The summer season will naturally draw plenty of crowds, and organisers have decided to entertain those crowds fittingly. Just as summer lets things feel a little more open, Hull will embrace the theme of Freedom. This marks the time when the city will be encouraging people to debate, create, and reimagine. Expect lively panel discussions and works of art that reinvent the way you see the world. Season Three will also explore the pivotal, and yet often ignored, role that Hull played within the emancipation movement.

Season Four: Tell The World

October through to the end of the year will see stories merge and fresh ones initiated. Hull’s emerging importance within the Northern Powerhouse will be expressed, with the city confirming its independence and individuality. Expect special events highlighting the future of life in the UK’s 2017 City of Culture.

 

Halloween: What’s On in Hull and East Riding

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There’s a whole host of events that are taking place across Hull and the East Riding this Halloween season, and here are just a few of our top picks:

  • Whistling Goose Children’s Party: To get your little ones into the Halloween spirit without causing too many nightmares, try the party at Whistling Goose in Sutton Fields. Traditional party games will be combined with face painting, balloon modelling, and a ghost hunt.
  • Story Readings: Literary scare-seekers should try heading to Bridlington’s Spa Theatre. Supernatural fiction writer M.R. James will be enthralling and unnerving listeners with four gripping ghost stories
  • Ghost Cruise: The Bridlington harbour-based Yorkshire Belle pleasure boat is providing a chilling twilight Ghost Cruise. Call ahead to book your spot.
  • The Deep’s Spooktacular Halloween: For over-18s only, The Deep will be hosting a fancy dress Halloween party on Saturday evening for all ghosts, ghouls, devils, and witches able to attend. Ticket prices include a goblet of witches’ brew, plus a three-course Halloween buffet. Prizes are awarded for the best costumes.
  • Halloween Fright Night at East Park: Combining fun fair with stunt show, East Park will become a favourite haunt from 6pm on Friday to 9pm on Monday. The Stannage International Stunt Team and Flaming Eye Stunt Show will be there, and you can look out for anything from stilt walkers to ghost walks.
  • Frightwater Valley: Lightwater Valley will be reanimated as Frightwater Valley for two days in order to provide a Halloween to remember. All manner of petrifying beasts will take residence to scare any who are brave enough to venture inside. Stick around until 6.30pm on Saturday or 5.30pm on Sunday to take in spectacular firework displays.

Other events include:

  • Half-term Halloween fun for kids at St Stephen’s Shopping Centre on the 29th
  • Halloween Night at the Yorkshire Waterways Museum on the 29th
  • Most Haunted Nites at Fort Paull on the 29th
  • RSPCA Hull and East Riding Halloween Ball on the 29th
  • Halloween Fancy Dress Disco at Greatfield on the 29th
  • Halloween at the Prospect Centre on the 30th
  • Ings Library Halloween Fun Days and Craft Session on the 30th
  • Alex’s Smile Halloween fancy dress party at Marist Church Hall on the 30th
  • Singles Together Halloween disco at Goodfellowship in Cottingham Road on the 30th
  • Madcap Magic Mike at Bridlington Spa on the 30th
  • Bransholme Woods Halloween event on the 31st
  • Freedom Centre Halloween Party at the Freedom Centre in Preston Road on the 31st

No matter what you’re looking for, Hull and East Riding have plenty of options to provide all kinds of thrills and scares.

Apple Music Festival

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Apple have just announced the line-up for this year’s Apple Music Festival, and it’s safe to say that you should get excited. We knew that this was going to be a big one since it marks the event’s 10th birthday, but the list of stars that will congregate at London’s legendary Roundhouse this September is jaw-dropping nonetheless.

From September 18th to 30th, you’ll be able to enjoy the following live acts:

  • September 18th: Elton John
  • September 19th: The 1975
  • September 20th: Alicia Keys
  • September 21st: One Republic
  • September 23rd: Calvin Harris
  • September 25th: Robbie Williams
  • September 26th: Bastille
  • September 27th: Britney Spears
  • September 28th: Michael Bublé
  • September 30th: Chance the Rapper

Of course, the best thing about the Apple Music Festival remains the fact that you don’t even need to buy a ticket in order to attend. Those 10 spectacular nights will be available both live and on-demand; all you need is a membership to Apple Music to enjoy the show from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC, Apple TV, or Android mobile.

Beats 1, the Apple Music radio station, will let fans get even more involved in the action during the Festival by offering exclusive playlists, artist news, and backstage interviews, so remember to listen in throughout September in order to hear everything that’s been going on.

With legendary luminaries from Britney to Elton taking part, this year’s Apple Music Festival is more than expected to live up to expectations. In the words of Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of International Content: “This year’s Apple Music Festival builds on that incredible legacy and we couldn’t be more excited to have another amazing line-up to celebrate our 10th birthday.”

Schusser wasn’t alone in his enthusiasm. Thousands of fans have taken to Twitter to celebrate the line-up and predict playlists. The stars themselves have also expressed their passion for the project. Here’s just a little of what they’ve been saying:

  • “I love London and performing at the Roundhouse! I can’t wait to see you there. It’s going to be magic!” – Alicia Keys
  • “I’m so excited to go back to London, which is a special place for me to visit and I’m really looking forward to performing at the Apple Music Festival.” – Britney Spears
  • “I am so excited to be playing at the Roundhouse. I love London and can’t wait to share this fantastic experience at the Apple Music Festival with my fans.” – Elton John

Remember to get your membership and get involved before the Apple Music Festival kicks off later this month.

Retro Festival

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RetroFestival is a breath of air on the festival scene.

With vintage tunes pumping out of the speakers from a number of live acts, the musical offerings would be worth a look all by themselves. What makes RetroFestival so special for everyone who attends is the crazy and colourful assortment of 50’s-inspired costumes, the period displays, and the chance to see records made and broken. You’ll even be able to raise money for a worthy cause as you get your retro kicks.

For those who like their retro with a side of history, there will be an impressive selection of pre- and post-war military displays, complete with a replica field hospital. Should your historical leanings bend more towards horsepower than firepower, you won’t want to miss out on an expected 1000 classic cars and motorbikes.

Sunday will even see a Spitfire flyover, and, to top things off, expect the renowned Falcon Display Team to drop by.

And you can always get more active in your search for days gone by. Like to put your dancing shoes on? Roll over to JiveSwing! Two of the UK’s leading teachers will help you learn authentic dances such as the Lindy Hop and the Charleston. If you’re in the market for something a little more risqué, the Spitfire Cabaret will transport you back to the glory days of vaudeville with comedy, magic, singing, acrobatics, and glamorous burlesque pin-ups.

There’s even a collection of 30 vintage rides for you to enjoy, and Chris Bromham will be making an appearance in an attempt to break his own record by jumping 20 buses. RetroFestival also hopes to collect the largest selection of habitable pre-1986 caravans, providing a slightly less adrenaline-packed record attempt and a kooky look back at times past.

All this old-school fun is being done with charity in mind, namely The Children’s Cancer Fund. Last year’s RetroFestival raised an impressive £5,000, and organisers hope that the funds raised this year will go towards a “Bag of Smiles”, complete with magazines, puzzle books, and a voucher which can be exchanged for a family day out of their choice, for every newly diagnosed child.

RetroFestival makes for a fun-filled couple of days that aims to do a real difference while putting a smile on your face. If you’d like to Lindy Hop, have a penchant for classic rock, or fancy seeing records broken, you know where to head.

Boardmaster’s Music and Performances

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Boardmasters Festival returns to Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach for 2016.

With everything from internationally-known performers to beach activities on offer, the event is always a popular one. Better yet, there are nine separate areas to choose from, with each catering to a different musical taste.

Main Stage

Boardmasters’ Main Stage has played host to legends such as Snoop Dogg, and it’s where you’ll be able to take in the headline acts each night. Make sure you make an appearance during the day if you don’t want to miss out on other huge artists.

Unleashed Stage

Unleashed plays host to the biggest tracks of the summer. Club-land hits and major arena acts combine to create the biggest indoor rave in the South West. Previous acts have included Zane Lowe, 2ManyDJ’s, and DJ EZ.

Land of Saints

A bastion of rock that has been home to The Darkness in 2015 and will be featuring Wolf Alice in 2016’s headline Friday slot. Whatever kind of rock rocks your boat, the Land of Saints can be trusted to scratch that itch.

The View

New and upcoming artists gather momentum at The View. Don’t believe us? George Ezra, Ben Howard, and Newton Faulkner all made their starts here, so expect to find the best undiscovered talent that the UK has to offer.

The Point

The most innovative DJs and producers can be found at The Point. An open-air party stretches right through the night, with acts sourced from the hottest clubs all over planet.

The Keg & Pasty 

Pirates, smugglers, and miners have all made The Keg & Pasty their home away from home. A classic Cornish pub, it delivers a sunny beer garden for you to chill in, and remains the hub of banter. The Keg is at the centre of it all, offering stand-up comedy and local bands.

VIP Stage

A VIP ticket grants access to one of the finest views in Cornwall. You’ll drink with a vista of Watergate Bay before you, plus an overlook of The View stage.

The Net Loft

A new and more intimate stage area promises to showcase new Cornish talent and under-the-radar musicians.

The Beach Bar

From the surfer’s shack to the BBQ terrace, resident DJs and live bands enliven this island-inspired slice of Boardmasters. Grab an ice cold beer or a sizzling burger while you check out the surf competition, then enjoy Beach Sessions after dark.

Best Glastonbury Acts Ever: Our Top 10

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Glastonbury is not just about the music (the mud is another highlight), but every year the announcement of the festival line-up seems to attract delight and scorn in equal measure. It remains to be seen whether this year’s festivalgoers will recall with nostalgic pride that they were there when   the Foo Fighters or Kanye played Glastonbury in 2015, but if you were at any of the following performances, you can certainly claim bragging rights:

The Cure, 1986

Watching  The Cure perform their green laser show during a spectacular thunderstorm was electrifying, but the goth stars would have been incredible in any weather. They headlined Saturday night, prompting not one, not two, but three encores.

Johnny Cash, 1994

Many questioned the booking of a country singer for Glastonbury in 1994, but Cash’s performances will go down among the greatest performances in the festival’s history. Cash’s career revived several years later, but he always maintained that the reaction of the crowd at Glastonbury was a high point in his career

Orbital, 1994

1994 was a good year for Glastonbury. Boosted by the introduction of Glastonbury to TV (via Channel 4) the electronic dance act from Kent showed dismissive rock fans and the rest of the world that dance music was not going anywhere.

Radiohead, 1997

Despite the apocalyptic weather (even for Glastonbury), Radiohead delivered a career high in Glastonbury 1997. Fresh from the release of their iconic OK Computer album, they ruled Saturday night with their trademark mix of emotional subtlety and epic rock.

Muse, 2004

Muse was another act that initially had people scratching their heads, but ultimately blew people’s minds. The triumph of Muse’s performance was tempered by tragedy, as drummer Dom Howard’s father suffered a heart attack while watching the set and died later the same night.

The Stooges, 2007

It’s hard to believe that Iggy Pop is the only surviving member of The Stooges, when you consider the explosive performance the band delivered in Somerset in 2007. The mud-soaked, rain-lashed field became a battleground for their particular brand of screaming blues-punk— complete with memorable stage invasion.

Arcade Fire, 2007

The first truly triumphant performance on the Other Stage belongs to Arcade Fire, who played a set packed with anthemic moments and great singalong (if wordless) choruses. “Wake Up” marked  their most anthemic and magnificent moment.

Leonard Cohen, 2008

At 73, you don’t expect stage triumphs, but that’s what Leonard Cohen delivered in 2008. Cohen’s unmistakable gravelly tones drifted out on the warm evening sun, in a set of greatest hits and a “Hallelujah” complete with choruses from the adoring crowd.

Beyoncé, 2011

The queen of crowd pleasers, Beyoncé was triumphant in 2011. She rose up through the stage and immediately charged into “Crazy in Love” and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” accompanied by enough fireworks to be seen from space.

Rolling Stones, 2013

The Stones and Glastonbury are a rock ‘n’ roll marriage made in heaven. 2013 was their year, with Mick owning the stage in all his supercharged skinniness. Showing the young folk how it’s done, the band played a triumphant set that lasted well over two hours, starting and finishing with two of their biggest crowd-pleasers, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”

How to run a fabulous in-store event for your business

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Thinking about running an in-store event to drum up new business? It’s a tried and tested marketing strategy that many business owners have used with great success. Whether you’re experiencing a bit of a dip in sales and you’re determined to get things moving again ASAP, or you’re doing great but want to make that extra push, this is something that you might want to try. But how exactly do you make sure that it’s a resounding success? Check out these tips to ensure you’ve ticked all the boxes.

Set your objectives in advance

One of the biggest mistakes that people often make when they try any new marketing tactic, is that they’re not quite sure what they want to get out of it. They’ll hear that a certain strategy can work really well, so they decide to give it a go, but they don’t take the time to set their objectives and really understand what results they want for their business. So before you go any further, commit your goals to paper. Do you want to drive sales at the event? Do you want to get media coverage? Do you want to increase awareness of your brand? It could be all of these things, or something else entirely, but make sure that you really understand what you want to achieve.

Carefully consider your invites list

So now that you know what you’re aiming for, it’s time to think about who you’re going to invite. You might want to ask existing customers, people who have shown an interest in your offerings in the past but have not yet bought from you, any press contacts that you might have who could be interested in running a story, and possibly even fellow business owners in your local area. Write your list, and then consider the practicalities of getting your invites out there. You might send postal invites, email messages, or you could even create an event on Facebook and create excitement via social media. Consider how your ideal customers would prefer to be contacted.

Pay attention to the little details

How are you going to make your event one to remember? You might simply showcase your products and share some drinks and nibbles with your attendees, or you might want to push the boat out a little further. Maybe you’ll give out samples and testers, run a competition, have some promotional products made up, or something else that you know will really wow everyone who turns up. It’s worth noting here that you don’t have to spend a fortune to create a big impact. Set a budget from the beginning and stick to it, but do get creative and try out different ideas.

 Review it, and learn from it

This is the step that most people forget about! The story isn’t over after your event. Make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to review your successes and the areas that could have been improved, and think about what you would do differently next time. It’s often useful to collect feedback from people who attended, to get a real feel for how things went. And of course, refer back to your objectives. Did you achieve what you actually set out to achieve? What helped you to reach your goals, and was there anything that held you back?

You could think and plan and worry for a very long time, but the real key to a fabulous event is actually getting it done. Stick the date in your diary, and make the commitment!

How to win business at trade shows and events

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When it comes to winning new business and getting the attention of prospective clients and customers, attending industry trade shows and events as an exhibitor is a tried and tested method that many companies have used with great success. Whilst it’s very possible to use this tactic to make revolutionary changes to the fortunes of your business, it’s not enough to just turn up and hope for the best. You need to have some techniques up your sleeve to ensure you really get the most out of your investment in terms of both time and money. In this guide, we share top tips for winning new business at your upcoming trade shows and events.

Pick the events where your prospects will be in attendance

Okay, so it may seem glaringly obvious that you need to choose an event where your prospects will actually be, but it can be all to easy to make some bad decisions in this respect when you’re just getting started with marketing your business in this way. Event organisers can be really persuasive, and before you know it, you’ve decided to take them up on a ‘special deal’ that isn’t necessarily going to benefit your business. Think about the audience that various events are likely to attract, and consider how many people you’ll get in front of who might actually buy from you.

Have a talking point at your stand to initiate conversations

Once you’ve chosen the best trade show or event for your business, you’ll need a way to stand out from the crowd. You’ll be up against other companies and if you want to get the most out of the opportunity, it pays to consider how you’ll start up conversations with your prospects and get them interested in what you have to say. The options are pretty much endless – you could give away promotional wristbands or branded lanyards, you could have a selection of sweet treats displayed on your stall, or you could do something else entirely. Don’t be scared to get creative.

Collect email addresses from attendees so you can continue to market to them

If you’re selling B2B services or items with a high price tag, you’re probably not going to make lots of sales at the actual event. Your strategy should be to introduce your business, share a little about what you have to offer, and then have a plan in place so you can continue to nurture the relationships that you’ve started, and ultimately, convert them into paying business. One of the most effective ways to do this is to collect their email addresses and embark on a great email marketing campaign. It’s cost effective, and it can have phenomenal results. Obviously, you’ll need to give your prospects a reason to leave their details with you. You might decide to offer a free e-book that you have created that will add value for your prospects and help them to solve a problem that they often experience, or you could offer entry to a competition to win something like a bottle of champagne, or one of your very own high-end products.

Winning business at trade shows and events isn’t always as easy as many people will have you believe, but with the right advice and forward planning, it can be something that you can use to really maximise your impact ramp up your revenue. Before you even consider turning up at the next much-anticipated industry event, make sure that you’ve given some careful consideration to each of the points outlined above.