ArtsAgenda worked closely with déda, Quad and Derby Live to present FESTÉ, a three day celebration in Derby's vibrant cultural quarter from 26 - 28 September, which this year (2008) marked the launch of QUAD, Derby’s new centre for Art & Film and the start of the Cultural Olympiad.
FESTÉ began with a large scale community procession and a wild street parade of giant insects from Catalan troupe Sarruga. Dream Engine’s Heliosphere together with Walk The Plank’s pyrotechnics launched QUAD with a flourish, to a specially commissioned soundscape by Scanner. Other programme highlights included: a breathtaking ballet between a JCB Digger and a dancer by Compagnie Beau Geste, aerial performance from Gravity & Levity, a diverse mix of high quality street performers and some of the best local bands and dance groups.
Over the days of FESTÉ,
Derby’s river gardens were gently transformed with a sculptural installation
by French artist Denis Tricot, and in the final hour of FESTÉ these
creations were set alight, accompanied live by the exquisite sounds of cellist
and singer, Vania Dombrovszky.
ArtsAgenda were
event producers for Derby Festé.
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