Postponed - The Holst 150 birthday party - Free community event

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**Postponed due to adverse weather conditions**

Full message from Cheltenham Borough Council 21/09/24 - 

We have made the sad decision to postpone the Holst 150 celebration that was due to take place this afternoon in Imperial Gardens.

After last night’s torrential rain, and the forecast of further rain and thunderstorms today, we felt that there were too many risks to proceed. We plan to hold a celebration of Holst’s birthday at a later date and we will communicate this when we know more.

We hope you understand.

 

 

Cheltenham celebrates 150th birthday of Gustav Holst

Imperial Gardens, Cheltenham. 

Saturday 21st September 2024, 1pm - 6pm

Free community event celebrating the 150th anniversary of Cheltenham's most famous son. 

Mars Stage - Music 1pm - 6pm. Including Cheltenham Philharmonic, Cheltenham Silver Band, Nethra Academy of Performing Arts, Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra and Charlton Kings Choral Society.

Make, Create - 5pm. All ages arts and activities craft area.

Holst's Spaceship Earth - 2pm - 5pm. A multi-sensory, creative technology experience pop up play-lab. 

Download the event poster here.

Full details...

Cultural partners in Cheltenham have joined together to arrange a suite of celebrations between June and November for the 150th birthday of the town’s famous composer, Gustav Holst. Holst was an English composer, arranger and teacher and was born in Cheltenham in 1874. You can still visit his birthplace at Holst Victorian House, a museum celebrating Victorian life, located on Clarence Road in Cheltenham.

Activities planned for the town include concerts, plays, dance, exhibitions, and an array of community-curated events and projects. Discover more here - Holst 150.

One of the highlights will be a free community event, The Holst 150 Birthday Party, 21 September 2024, in Imperial Gardens. Everyone is welcome to bring a picnic – or buy food and drink from one of the numerous cafes and restaurants close to Imperial Square – while listening to music or taking part in one of the many all-ages activities. 

Celebrations will centre on the Mars Stage, a large music stage programmed from 1 pm - 6 pm. Performances will be in various styles and genres, from classical to folk, to the more experimental.

Mars Stage

1.00 pm Cheltenham Silver Band and percussion workshops

1.55 pm Edward Derbyshire – Holst: A poetic and musical journey  

2.15 pm Montpellier Brass Ensemble ​​​​​​

2.45 pm Gary Branch, Piano

3.15 pm Kingsley Brass 

3.30 pm Nethra Academy of Performing Arts

4.30 pm  Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra

5.10 pm Charlton Kings Choral Society

5.30 pm Cheltenham Philharmonic Orchestre - Strings

5.55 pm Finale CK Choral Society accompanied by Cheltenham Philharmonic  Orchestra

In addition, from 2 pm-5 pm, there will be an Art Zone, comprised of the Make, Create area and a multi-sensory, creative technology experience, Holst’s Spaceship Earth.

**Make, Create**

Lyrebird Sculptures - Come and create your own beautiful Lyrebird sculpture to decorate both indoor and outdoor spaces, with artist Imogen Harvey Lewis.

- Paper Planets - Using paper and card, make a planet puppet, solar system garland or 3D decoration with local crafter and creative workshop host, Helen Nightingale.

- Giant Holst Doodle - Something magical happens when we draw together. Join in no matter your age and let's see where our imagination takes us as we all create a collaborative portrait capturing Holst and his music. With artist Gemma Hastilow.

Letterpress Poster -  Ink up your own Holst 150 poster to take away with you, with printmaker Andy Kinnear. A super souvenir of the day!

**Holst’s Spaceship Earth, with Play.Labz ** 

Inspired by the remarkable life and musical legacy of Gustav Holst, embark on a mind-expanding, multi-sensory journey through our interconnected cosmos at the Holst Spaceship Earth. A pop-up play-lab zone, where community collaboration, creative technology and art collide.

- Holst Victorian House - Immersive Video & Experimental Soundscape

Experience the Holst Victorian House through DIY VR goggles, inspired by Holst's 19th-century stereoscopic viewer.

- Gustav Holst From The Otherside & Feel It! 8 Bit Mars Redux

Hear Gustav Holst's voice for the first time, brought to life using cutting-edge cybernetic software and electronically recorded Holst family DNA from Imogen Holst and Holst’s brother, Ernest Cossart. Feel an experimental 8-bit chiptune rendition of Mars (The Bringer of War) through SubPac haptic bass technology, celebrating the 110th anniversary of this iconic and powerful musical movement. 

- Holst's Playtronica Flower Synth

Magically create electronic music sounds by interacting with touch, flowers, and water, forging a cosmic connection with nature.

- Holst Spaceship Earth - Pollinator Planet Creators

Be the change by creating wildflower mini natural planets that provide vital habitats for pollinators. 

https://www.HolstSpaceship.Earth

Part of the Holst 150 celebrations. For more details go to Holst 150.

Funded by Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants, Build Back Better Councillor Fund, Cheltenham Borough Council, Cheltenham BID,  Cheltenham Arts Council, West Cheltenham Partnership, and The Honourable Company.