Now Northwich to kick off the town’s 2024 large-scale events calendar

Cheshire Dance and partners have announced the next Now Northwich Festival will take place on Saturday 27th April, marking the start of the town’s 2024 large-scale events programme. Now in its fourth iteration, Cheshire’s hugely popular free international dance and street arts festival will once again fill the walkways of Northwich town centre and Barons Quay with magnificent spectacles to delight every member of the family. Having previously seen audiences of over 25K – and with another impressive line-up of shows set to wow the community – this event is sure to enthral residents of Northwich and visitors alike.

Commencing early afternoon and running until late in the evening, Now Northwich offers families the opportunity to immerse themselves in exceptionally high quality outdoor arts performances by national, regional and international companies for free, and the chance to again experience the transformational power of the arts in public spaces. Filling the streets with dance, music, acrobatics, circus and more, the event is another opportunity for residents to feel proud of their home town.

Adam Holloway, Director of Cheshire Dance and Producer of the festival, says: “Times are tough and events such as Now Northwich help communities to feel connected and empowered in times of financial insecurity. What’s more, as a group of public and voluntary sector partners, we’re working really hard to offer something for everyone, across the wide spectrum of our diverse community.  We want people to feel welcome and able to participate in all that Now Northwich has to offer without barriers to access or finance. With a line-up of internationally renowned talent as well as plenty of opportunity for the public to get involved, we’re looking forward to our best festival yet.”

This year’s daytime programme will include an ambitious mix of dance and street arts shows at various sites throughout the town with lots to see and do, with the evening programme boasting an international showstopping parade at dusk by Compagnie des Quidams who has toured to over 40 countries worldwide, delighting audiences wherever they go.

Coming to Northwich from France, Compagnie des Quidams in co-production with Inko'Nito will showcase Herbert’s Dream at sundown – a captivating nocturnal procession of majestic and ethereal figures, gliding through the shadows and metamorphosing into figures of 4m high as they perform a magical ritual to release a new moon high up into the night sky.

As with previous iterations of the festival, the community will continue to sit at the heart of the event with many opportunities to get involved both on the day of the festival and in the run up to the event. This year as part of the dedicated Community Programme, highly acclaimed hybrid dance theatre company, Company Carpi will co-create a brand new and exciting ‘dance opera’ that will see professional dancers, opera singers and orchestral musicians come together with community dancers to tell the stories of Northwich. The show will take place at Northwich Plaza as part of Now Northwich to celebrate the creative communities in Cheshire and the rich history of the region.

Also created especially for the community by Cheshire Dance’s Young Producers will be an interactive trail with hidden activities at different ‘cultural stations’ throughout the town. Festivalgoers will be invited to join the ‘Connections Express’ trail and take part in a number of free workshops and experiences that have been designed for all ages by an aspiring group of young festival producers.

Cllr Lisa Denson, Cheshire West and Chester Council Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future with responsibility for Culture, has said of Now Northwich: “We are delighted to see the return of the festival which has become a staple in the town’s calendar, truly offering something for everyone – and at no charge. With the cost-of-living crisis that we find ourselves in today, events that bring the community together like this are more important than ever before and we are thrilled to again have this fantastic event in our town. Not only will the event benefit residents of all ages, but also the local businesses that are sure to see an increase in footfall from visitors from outside the region.  Now Northwich helps us to showcase that Northwich is the place to be.”

Now Northwich is brought to the community thanks to support from Arts Council England through a National Lottery Project Grant and is also part funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund administered by Cheshire West and Chester Council. Now Northwich is produced by Cheshire Dance in collaboration with and additional investment from Northwich Town Council, Northwich BID and Members Budgets. Now Northwich is a partner in Without Walls, a network of organisations bringing innovative outdoor arts to towns and cities across England.

The full programme and timings for Now Northwich 2024 will be announced shortly on the festival’s social media pages and at www.nownorthwich.co.uk. To get involved with the event as a community dancer, to volunteer on the day or to support the festival in any other way, contact: nownorthwich@cheshiredance.org.