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Elmer the elephant art trail coming to Blackpool with 30 sculptures to find
‘Elmer was yellow and orange and red and pink and purple and blue and green and black and white’
Blackpool is to play host to an Elmer the Patchwork Elephant art trail, inspired by author David McKee’s popular children’s book character.
The epic trail, happening next spring, will see 30 patchwork elephant sculptures as part an event from Wild in Art. The elephant sculptures are expected to attract thousands of visitors in a bid to raise funds to support a children’s hospice
Each large sculpture will be uniquely decorated by established and up and coming artists, creating a parade through the northern seaside town that will be enjoyed by visitors and locals for its eight-week stay.
A herd of smaller Elmers will accompany the trail, decorated by local children and young people through schools and youth organisations. The smaller elephant sculptures will be displayed inside some of the town’s tourist, cultural and leisure locations.
Brian House — the Fylde coast’s only children’s hospice — has announced Blackpool’s first major public art trail in partnership with Wild in Art and Andersen Press. They’ll be sponsored by businesses and organisations and be placed around key landmarks, streets, and open spaces across Blackpool, with visitors encouraged to visit as many as possible.
After the trail, the sculptures will go up for auction to raise vital funds to support Brian House’s specialist care to patients and their families. The Elmer trail arrives for spring 2024 — but there’s already a lot of excitement about the anticipated event.
Much-loved by children across the world, Elmer books have sold more than 10 million and been translated into more than 50 languages since the elephant’s first appearance in 1989. Linzi Warburton, head of fundraising at Brian House, said: “We have kept this a secret for a long time and now we are so excited to share this news with everyone.
“Elmer is a much-loved character and represents kindness, differences, acceptance, and friendship. There’s no other beloved character like him which celebrates the differences that make our children so very special.
“Elmer’s Big Blackpool Parade is the largest event we have ever organised, and we are delighted to be partnering with Wild in Art and Andersen Press with their expertise and advice.
“We hope people from Blackpool and beyond are as excited as we are and join us in celebrating this incredible character and how he represents the children we are privileged to care for. Not only will this art trail do great things for our community, but it will raise vital funds and awareness for our incredible children’s hospice which is a lifeline for local families.”
Charlie Langhorne, managing director and co-founder of Wild in Art, said: “Elmer will bring colour and creativity to Blackpool next year and we are thrilled to be teaming up with Brian House and Andersen Press on this exciting art trail.
“Our events are designed to bring the enjoyment of public art to everyone while offering new ways for people to explore their local area and we hope that, through the trail, we can inspire businesses, the creative sector and the wider community to come together to create something very special which will have significant impact.”
Paul Black, PR and brand director at Andersen Press, said: “Everyone at Andersen Press is delighted to be working with Brian House and Wild in Art to bring Elmer to the seaside. These events are hugely special, community-driven spectaculars which can bring people together with something fun and engaging for everyone.
“I look forward to seeing the creativity of Blackpool come to life with the help of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant next year.”
What's On
Manchester’s biggest Country and Western night is happening this weekend
Get ready for a boot-scootin’, rootin’ tootin’ good time!
Manchester’s biggest night of Country and Western floor fillers is happening this week.
Red Solo Club is bringing its successful club night to Cooper Hall on Saturday, June 10th — yeehaw!
Put on your best cowboy hat and boots, and get ready for a great night of dancing as country lovers can expect to hear some absolute contemporary bangers by the likes of Luke Combs, Taylor Swift and Shania Twain.
And for those who love to a little Hillbilly Rock, there will also be occasional interludes of traditional country singalongs from Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Buffett and more.
Since its first night sell-out in November 2022, Red Solo Club has grown to become a successful bi-monthly event in Manchester, and as of July, it will be coming to Glasgow too.
Taking its name from Toby Keith’s country hit Red Solo Cup, Red Solo Club was created by friends Ste Brown and James Macdonald.
They said: “We were both introduced to modern country music while driving around America together about 15 years ago. You can’t go far over there without hearing some country music, and our interest in it has grown and grown since then.”
The pair also present The Dive Bar on LCRUK — an online country radio station setup during lockdown.
They continued: “We’d play all this music on our show and go to gigs but there was nowhere in the area that would play these songs late into the night, so we thought… why not do it ourselves?
“The genre is becoming really popular in the UK, and with young people too. I think some people maybe assume it’s just line dancing, stetsons and Achy Breaky Heart but give it a listen and realise there’s some great rock and pop songs — just with a little southern American twist.”
Red Solo Club is Manchester’s biggest country party, playing five hours of the best country music at Cooper Hall, Northern Quarter, on Saturday June 10th 9pm to 2am.
Ticket prices start from £5 and can be purchased by clicking HERE. Advanced tickets are available for £6, or £7 for anybody wishing to pay on the door.
What's On
P!NK is kicking-off her world tour in Bolton next week
P!NK will bring her tour to Greater Manchester next week
Pop star P!NK is set to kick-off her world tour starting in Bolton next week.
The 43-year-old superstar will embark on her Summer Carnival World Tour next week at the University of Bolton Stadium on Wednesday and Thursday, June 7th and 8th.
The popular American singer-songwriter will take to the stage — in her upcoming eighth concert tour — for the two days as she performs some of her well-known hits and best loved tracks, including songs from her latest album, Trustfall.
The six-pack sporting musician, whose real name is Alecia Beth Moore Hart, posted an image of herself suspended in the air, while practising some kind of aerial arts, on Instagram last week to give fans a taste of what’s to come.
Alongside the image she wrote: “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.”
The quote was taken from the 19th-century American philosopher and poet Henry Thoreau. One excited fan wrote: “Can’t wait to see u in Berlin!! I’m flying from Barcelona.”
Another one-upped them and said: “Can’t wait to see her in Germany!!! flying from NY to Barcelona then to Germany!!” A third fan added: “Can’t wait to see you in July…this will be so fantastic.”
The concerts will be held in the open air, with doors opening from 4.30pm and music due to start at 5.30pm – 11pm on both days.
P!NK will be supported by special guests at the concerts including Kidcutup, Gayle and The Script.
The council has issued advice for parking and traffic management with extensive traffic restrictions in place due to concertgoers travelling by different forms of transport such as car, coaches, public transport, taxis and also by foot.
Tickets for the events can be purchased by clicking HERE.
What's On
The Champions League final is being shown at Manchester’s biggest fan park
A Sky Sports presenter plus a genuine footballing legend will be there to give their match analysis
A Champion’s League Final festival is coming to The Love Factory in Manchester for the big game next month.
Sporting events company, 4TheFans has announced its UEFA Champions League Final Festival FanPark at Love Factory in central Manchester on Saturday, June 10th.
Man City secured their place at the Istanbul final when they beat Real Madrid at the Etihad.
As the Blues march into the final for what could be a historic treble, families are welcome to watch them at this the huge indoor and outdoor event — opening its doors from 3pm. The match will kick-off at 8pm GMT.
Only 10 minutes walk from Manchester Victoria, it will be the ultimate place for all the family to watch Manchester City take on Inter Milan.
Fans will get to enjoy the big game on huge anti-glare screens and soak up entertainment including a Sky Sports presenter, football legend, DJs, competitions, and fun footy activities — the atmosphere will be immense!
Hosting the event will be a Sky Sports presenter plus a Man City legend to give their match analysis and have bags of banter as part of an interactive show for the fans.
The real festival atmosphere will continue as fans enjoy a variety of food and drink (including award-winning pies), and more.
All ages are welcome making this the most family-friendly fan park available. Kids can take on their parents in footy activations including penalty shootouts, and a precision wall to test their accuracy.
And when Manchester City score, get ready for big celebrations with awesome special effects such as pyrotechnics and cO2 cannons!
Tickets are expected to sell out fast so fans should move quickly to secure their spot and avoid disappointment! General admission tickets start at £8 per person for a group of six, and £10 for individual tickets with a VIP box starting from £75 per person.
To book tickets and find out more CLICK HERE.
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