THE opening of the Freedom Festival 2014 in Hull will be marked by tonight's (FRI) unveiling of The Long Walk To FreedomLight Trail, a specially commissioned exhibition of new artworks inspired by Nelson Mandela and his contribution to the causes of freedom and reconciliation. <\/p>\n
Mandela's greatest moments and achievements are re-imagined as installations of light, colour and sound as magical light displays blaze a trail through Hull's cobbled Old Town. <\/p>\n
The Long Walk To Freedom recognises the parallels between Mandelas work and the origins of the Freedom Festival, which celebrates Hulls independent spirit and historic contribution to the cause of freedom, as the birthplace of pioneering Hull-born MP William Wilberforce, who led the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. <\/p>\n
Set in Hulls emerging Fruit Market area, against the backdrop of Hull Marina, the Freedom Festival is the citys premier cultural event and will provide a taster of what visitors can expect in its City of Culture year in 2017. <\/p>\n
The event runs from today until Sunday and features internationally renowned artists, street performance, music, dance, comedy, spoken-word performers and participatory attractions in its diverse, family-friendly line-up. <\/p>\n
Look out for the Ted Hughes Award-winning poet and rapper Kate Tempest in a free event on the Bridge Stage tomorrow at 10pm. Kate started out rapping on London night buses and at raves and poetry slams and has returned to her hip-hop roots with the release of her debut album, Everybody Down. Expect storytelling and an impassioned performance style from Kate, whose first novel will be published next year. <\/p>\n
Among the music highlights on the Yellow Bus Stage will be soul queen Ruby Turner tomorrow at 5pm; Hull soul legend Roland Gift, from Fine Young Cannibals, tomorrow at 7.30pm; and New York vocal harmony group Naturally 7 on Sunday at 5pm. DJs Andy Kershaw and Keb Darge and Indojazz clarinettist Arun Ghosh will be in action too. <\/p>\n
In a theatre partnership with Hulls Heads Up Festival, Theatre Ad Infinitum's drag cabaret on the Israel-Palestine conflict, Ballad Of The Burning Star, will explore identity, religion and politics through a combination of music, knock-out heels and a lethal troop of divas.The company also will present a children's show, The Incredible Book Eating Boy. <\/p>\n
Spoken-word and poetry highlights will be Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, CBeebies star Dominic Berry and punk-poet Attila the Stockbroker, while street art and performance shows will include the contemporary circus company NoFit State in Acrojous The Wheel House and C-12s Trolleys; BMX star Keelan Phillips; and performance-parkour from The Urban Playground. <\/p>\n
Look out too for the epic love story-turned-outdoor spectacular Spellbound; interactive performance and restaurant-with-a-twist Ready Steady Colour; and the community parade A World Of Colour, involving hundreds of Hull residents and organisations on Sunday in Hull city centre at 3pm. <\/p>\n
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Originally posted here: <\/p>\n
Hull Freedom Festival, September 5 to 7<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" THE opening of the Freedom Festival 2014 in Hull will be marked by tonight's (FRI) unveiling of The Long Walk To FreedomLight Trail, a specially commissioned exhibition of new artworks inspired by Nelson Mandela and his contribution to the causes of freedom and reconciliation. Mandela's greatest moments and achievements are re-imagined as installations of light, colour and sound as magical light displays blaze a trail through Hull's cobbled Old Town. The Long Walk To Freedom recognises the parallels between Mandelas work and the origins of the Freedom Festival, which celebrates Hulls independent spirit and historic contribution to the cause of freedom, as the birthplace of pioneering Hull-born MP William Wilberforce, who led the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. Continue reading