Host of events planned for Norwich this summer

A host of exciting events planned for the city this summer have been announced as Norwich prepares its bid for City of Culture.

Norwich City Council has revealed details of months of concerts, exhibitions and performances arranged for the city over the next few months.

Steve Morphew, leader of Norwich City Council, said: 'Every year people of the city look forward to the events organised by the council.'

'It's an opportunity for people to come together and have fun in the community.'

'It's the kind of thing that a city that knows how to enjoy itself expects the council to provide,' he said.

'It promotes us to the position were we can bid for City of Culture and be taken seriously.'

The events will also be preceded by the annual Norfolk and Norwich Festival which starts tomorrow and will run until May 22.

The programme features music from classical to punk, dance, theatre and art events including the Evening News-sponsored Home Sweet Home, which invites people in Norwich to build their own ideal city and community out of cardboard.

To view this year's festival programme and book tickets, visit www.nnf10.org.uk or call 01603 766400

People in Norwich will get the chance to race a rubber duck from Julian Bridge to Millennium Bridge.

Entry costs �2 and there is �500 in cash prizes for the winners.

Tickets for the event, which starts at 3pm on Sunday July 11, are available from Norwich Tourist Information Centre, the Castle Mall and Waitrose in Eaton.

Every Friday and Sunday from July 30 to August 29 there will be a free theatre performance for children in the city.

In Waterloo Park on Angel Road at 3pm will be The Wind in the Willows on July 30, Alakazam on August 6, Red Riding Hood on August 13, Pinocchio on August 20 and Pass the Bucket on August 27.

At Heigham Park off the Avenues will be Comic Medieval Tales for Kids on August 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.

Iron railings surrounding St Peter Mancroft Church, which sits opposite the Forum, will be transformed into an art gallery for one weekend each month.

People in Norwich will get the chance to buy a piece of local art, or just to browse the talent on offer, on the last Saturday and Sunday in each month.

Pieces will be displayed outside on the railings and the free event is open to all.

For more information about the dates and the artists visit www.norwich.gov.uk or call 01603 212241.

Throughout the summer there will be a host of free concerts at historic bandstands across the city.

People will be able to sit down in the sun with a picnic and catch local band shows, which all begin at 3pm.

* June 6: Pavillion Big Band plays at Mousehold Heath

* June 13: Hellesdon and Sprowston Brass Band plays at Waterloo Park

* June 20: Top Brass Quintet plays at Chapelfield Gardens

* June 27: Norfolk Wherry Brass Band plays at Eaton Park

* July 4: Broadland Brass Band plays at Mousehold Heath

* July 11: Norwich City Concert Band plays at Eaton Park

* July 18: Taverham Band plays at Chapelfield Gardens

* July 25: Pavilion Brass Quintet plays at Waterloo Park

* August 1: Hellesdon and Sprowston Brass Band plays at Eaton Park

* August 8: Cawston Band plays at Chapelfield Gardens

* August 15: Saxobility plays at Waterloo Park

* August 22: Dereham Band plays at Mousehold Heath

This annual show in the city's most central park includes both local and national bands, as well as craft and food stalls and a funfair.

During the day on Saturday, from midday to 5pm, there will be bubble-blowing, face-painting, hula hooping and a Punch and Judy show for children and the young at heart.

From 12.30pm on Saturday there will be a showcase for local bands, including the Kabeedies, and at 4.15pm DJ Chuckles and Mr Bruce will play a set of swingbeat, bouncy hip-hop.

On the Sunday nine-piece brass band Brassroots will play at 6.30pm and at 8.15pm the Magic of the Beatles will hold their 50th anniversary tribute to the Livepudlian stars.

On both days the funfair will be open from 11am to 10pm and there will also be a bar on site.

The BBC's Big Screen above the Chapelfield entrance regularly shows news headlines and weather forecasts - but this summer it will bring a host of extra events.

* As part of National Family Week it will screen Pixar's award-winning animation WALL•E on June 1.

* On June 8 at 6.30pm the screen will broadcast the opera Carmen live from the Royal Opera House, and temporary seating will be laid on for the event.

* From June 21 to July 4 the screen will also show full Wimbledon coverage, and again temporary seating will be provided.

* On July 10 a collection of locally-produced animations will run as part of the Lord Mayor's Celebrations.

* From July 23 to 25 is the Cultural Olympiad Open Weekend. To celebrate arts and culture in the run up to the 2012 Olympics there will be three days of activities screened outside Chapelfield.

* The Last Night of the Proms will be broadcast live from the Royal Albert Hall directly on to the Big Screen on September 11.

When not involved in special events the screen also showcases local talent and projects. If you would like to get involved email bigscreennorwich@bbc.co.uk or call 01603 284763.

From June 16 to 19 Chapelfield Gardens will host the city's fifth annual comedy festival, organised by the Red Card Comedy Club.

Performers will include Reginald D Hunter, Andrew Bird and Brendon Burns and tickets can be bought by visiting www.redcardcomedyclub.com.

Norwich is on the shortlist to be the first UK City of Culture in 2013, alongside Birmingham, Sheffield and Derry/Londonderry. The four cities have until May 21 to finish formulating final bids.

It is estimated that the title could bring in up to �200m in investment at the same time as using cultural initiatives to kick-start regeneration in deprived areas It would also attract huge numbers of visitors flocking to existing and new attractions, bringing in revenue for hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.

Send your ideas or volunteer your time or talents by emailing cityofculture@norwich.gov.uk or visit www.norwichcityofculture.co.uk

Tell us why you're backing the bid, or about events, projects or groups you're involved with by calling Mary Hamilton on 01603 772418 or emailing mary.hamilton@archant.co.uk

Show your support and let us know about events happening where you are by joining the Norwich 2013 Facebook group

Follow the Evening News Back the Bid campaign on Twitter at twitter.com/norwichculture

Find out all about the Norfolk and Norwich Festival on pages 42-43 today, and keep up with everything going on in and around the city at www.eveningnews24.co.uk and every Friday in our Going Out supplement.