Our future starts here

Our Future Starts Here – Grimsby explores important issues of our time with a bold programme of cultural events to inspire, educate and surprise

Presented in association with Ørsted and including impressive outdoor performances and installations from leading UK artists, thought-provoking talks about how we can all live more sustainably, and hands-on workshops to inspire the next generation.

Our Future Starts Here, Friday 27th – Sunday 29th May
Find out more at www.ourfuturestartshere.co.uk

An ambitious programme of free arts events exploring the issues of our time, including climate change and mental health, is coming to Grimsby later this month. Called Our Future Starts Here, the programme will invite residents and visitors to experience the town in new ways and share their hopes for a better future.

Our Future Starts Here takes place in outdoor and indoor locations across Grimsby from Friday 27th until Sunday 29th May. It has been created by social enterprise The Culture House and is presented in association with Ørsted, the renewable energy company behind the world’s soon-to-be-launched biggest offshore wind farm Hornsea 2, which will be operated out of Grimsby.

A whole host of performances backed by a partnership with Without Walls – a national consortium working to create, develop and tour innovative, new artistic work – will upscale Grimsby’s offer, engaging residents and visitors in accessible, quality shows by leading companies.

These include Chorus by award-winning artist Ray Lee, a mesmerising installation of giant spinning sound machines that will be situated in St James’ Square. Audiences can also watch Future Cargo, a sci-fi dance show performed from a 40-foot haulage truck, and try out VOLO: Dreams of Flight, a swing ride which gives people the sensation of flying through the sky whilst wearing a virtual reality headset.

A space explorer will give us a glimpse into the future whilst suspended in the air from a travelling flying machine in the show Urban Astronaut, and sound artist Jason Singh’s innovative augmented reality installation The Hidden Music of Trees will play music created by trees themselves, offering a connection to nature with a difference.

Further performances over the weekend include acrobatics company Ockham’s Razor’s new show Public which incorporates tricks, dance and parkour, with local participants sharing in the experience, and a performance of Last Orders by Sean Moss taking place outside the Parity Pub exploring bravado and mental health. Residents and visitors can see an ‘uplifting dance riot’ in Frock by Stop Gap Dance, as well as dance piece Knot which uses extreme physicality to explore different types of human relationships.

Strong Lady aims to boost people’s mental resilience with her one-woman circus piece Strong Enough, in which she will show us her physical strength to a sound-track of people talking about a time when they were strong.

And Fluid Motion Theatre will invite passersby to ‘Take Ten’ on one of their specially created swing chairs, designed to offer visitors time out on a ten minute mindfulness journey, based on the NHS’ Five Steps to Wellbeing.

There will also be the chance to delve deeper into current issues through a series of talks and workshops, including a launch event at Grimsby Minster where a range of passionate speakers, including MP for Grimsby Lia Nici and representatives from Ørsted, will discuss Grimsby’s vision for a cleaner, greener and healthier future.

Native Grimbarian and science journalist Quentin Cooper will deliver a light-hearted speech at the launch, based on shifting perceptions, using the long-held image we hold of scientists as an example.

Over the weekend walkers of all abilities can join local athlete and Iron Woman Lydia Gibbs, Nicola Pattison from the Grimsby 10k race, founder of Be Great Fitness Bailey Greetham and artist Ali Pretty from Kinetika on a ‘Fit Route’ walk through People’s Park to discuss the future of Grimsby as they stroll, before a discussion about art, fitness and well-being. In addition, people can head to Grimsby Minster for a series of free talks on going greener and how to save money on energy bills.

Children and young people will have plenty to get involved in over the weekend. They can go on a quest to find the ‘bluebird of happiness’ while imagining the future, in a workshop with Tell Tale Hearts theatre company with drama role-play, creative writing and model making. Rhubarb Theatre invites children aged 5 and above to see Dustbin Doris – a show about homelessness and how rubbish can be turned into treasure.

Young people can also decorate the pavements of St James’ Square with chalk artists Urban Canvas as they set out to show the scale of the Hornsea 2 wind farm, incorporating nature and wildlife. In addition to this, kids can make minibeasts and bird feeders, and plant a seed with Grimsby in Bloom.

The programme will also support a new generation of experimental music talent, with taster sessions on music production from Freestyle Academy in Freshney Place Shopping Centre and performances from Grimsby bands SAPIENS, Two Peace-Keepers, Emphatic and Splice Headz in Grimsby Minster.

Charlotte Bowen, Director of The Culture House, said: ‘Grimsby has long been underestimated nationally, but this relatively small town is a home of influential and important innovation. We deserve more recognition for being at the forefront of world-leading developments. This ambitious programme of cultural events will celebrate the town, offer creative opportunities and enliven spaces at a key time in the town’s regeneration and Covid-recovery journey. At the same time it will open up public conversations and allow the space for people to connect, reflect and think about what we want our collective futures to look like and what we need to do to get there.

‘There really is something for everyone over the weekend, whether you want to watch a stunning outdoor performance or listen to a talk about the future of climate action, in Grimsby’.

She adds: This is just the first edition of Our Future Starts Here. We’ll be back in November with even more events, so keep a look out for further announcements!’

Lauren Little, Stakeholder Advisor Humber, at Orsted said: ‘We’re so proud to be part of Our Future Starts Here. This great initiative is a step forward in looking at our renewable industry through the eyes of creatives. It’s important for everyone to be involved in tackling climate change and the festival will reach lots of our community here in Grimsby. We hope to see different generations coming together to enjoy the schedule of events.’

The Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Philip Jackson said: ‘Through the investment of Grimsby Creates, there has been unprecedented support to local creatives, building skills and confidence to elevate the role that creativity plays in all our lives.  Alongside this it’s critical that we focus on our green energy credentials in Grimsby as we strive to make Grimsby one of the world’s leading green energy hubs. This can only be achieved by creating unique partnerships to showcase our local talent, empower our communities and celebrate our collective ambition highlighted in the Our Future Starts Here programme.’

Our Future Starts Here has been commissioned as part of the Grimsby Creates programme that is funded as part of The Cultural Development Fund by Arts Council England. It is produced by The Culture House in collaboration with local and national partners, including Without Walls, Hemingway Design and Future Everything.