Our Month of Creativity Is Taking Shape

Image by Cretive Harborough

Hi,

This year’s September Celebration is already taking shape, with groups across the town joining in - some by adding their usual events, others by planning something a little extra. There’s no right or wrong way to take part.

Here’s what’s planned so far, and how you can be part of it.

So… what is the Celebration?

“Celebration” is our shared month of creativity - a simple idea with a big impact.

For one month, the exhibitions, performances, workshops, screenings, rehearsals and creative gatherings already happening across Market Harborough will come together under one banner. Rather than creating a whole new festival from scratch, we’re shining a light on what’s already here, and inviting more people to discover it.

It’s about visibility, connection and a bit of shared momentum.

What’s already happening?

Lots.

It’s a wonderfully mixed programme, with large and small events, formal and informal, across many different creative disciplines. And it’s still growing:

Image by Joe at Creative Harborough

Art and Craft

·      Art Windows

·      Artists Cluster Annual Exhibition

·      Public Art Trail

·      Wingates

·      Paint Pottle

·      Prizegiving for Nature Photographic Prize – details tbc

·      Mini art vending machine (gumball machine) containing pieces of art by local artists

Dance

·      Tango Party

Events

·      HWU3A – details tbc

Film

·      MHMB dementia-friendly film screening

·      Special film season at the cinema

·      Film workshops

Heritage

·      Open Buildings

·      Heritage Walk

Literature

·      Literary Festival (11 events)

Image by Joe at Creaative Harborough

Music

·      BabyGigs event

·      Acoustic Night at the Red Cow

·      Singing for Wellbeing

·      For the Sake of Music

·      Market Harborough Ukulele Group

Performance

·      Theatre Open Day

·      Arts Fresco

·      Harborough Culture Café

·      Starfish Puppets

Why? What’s the point?

·       because it helps everyone,

·       you reach beyond your usual audience,

·       your members discover other groups,

·       the town sees the bigger creative picture,

·       more people find their way through your doors,

·       and when more people discover creative activity, more people take part. That benefits everyone.

You don’t need to create something complicated. Including what you already do is enough.

I’m interested, but busy… what could we do?

Almost anything.

You can simply include your regular rehearsal, meeting, workshop or performance.

Or, if you’d like to add something small and manageable, here are some easy ideas:

·      Pop-Up Mini Sets – 10-minute performances scattered across the month in cafés, markets, libraries

·      Flash Choir – Surprise performance in a public space, something familiar and punchy

·      Open Rehearsal Showcase – Invite the public to watch the first rehearsal back and hear work-in-progress

·      Live Music Quiz Night – Sung clues, orchestral snippets, “name that intro”

·      Musical Bingo – Bingo cards with song titles or musical terms, performed live

·      Instrument Petting Zoo – Especially good for orchestras; try a violin, blow a flute (sanitised!)

·      Busk for Creativity – Groups take 30-minute slots in the town centre

·      Art & Sound Gallery – Small ensembles perform among visual art displays

·      Bring a Friend Night – Informal taster sessions

·      Open Mic for Members Only – Solos/duets from within groups

·      Collaborative Mural / Chalk Project – Artists contribute sections to a large public mural (physical or chalk)

·      “Paint & Pints” Sessions – An affordable painting class in a café with a collaborative

Image by Claire Webb

canvas that grows each session

·      Collaborative Zine Project – Writers, poets and illustrators produce a small printed/online zine about the town

·      Micro-Theatre Moments – Short scenes performed in unexpected places (market, cafés)

·      Smartphone Film Challenge – Creators deliver a 60-second film around a shared theme, showcased at the month’s end

·      Creative Q&A Panels – Visual artists, writers and makers in discussion

·      Collaborative Finale Exhibition / Storyboard – All groups contribute work to one big show, printed brochure or digital stream

Nothing needs to be grand. Simple and welcoming works beautifully.

So what do we need to do?

Very little. Just:

1. let us know what you’re planning;

2. include the Celebration logo in your publicity;

3. share the overall programme with your network so we can promote each other’s work.

   
   

That’s it.

If you’re unsure, curious, or want to talk through an idea, just get in touch. We’d love you to be included, in whatever way feels manageable - the more of us who take part, the stronger (and more visible) our creative community becomes.

Penny