Performers in three weeks of new events

SINGERS, dancers and actors will perform for an exciting three weekends of entertainment this summer.

A new Macclesfield Performing Arts Festival and ‘Showstoppers’ weekend have been announced to take place in June.

It is hoped that events, along with the new Macclesfield Folk Festival announced by Brad Snel- ling earlier this year, will help fill the void left by the Barnaby Festival, which organisers announced last year would take a break until 2016.

The new festivals have been organised by director, producer and drama teacher Kalini Kent, from Bollington, and will take place the weekend before and after the Macclesfield Folk Festival.

The Macclesfield Performing Arts Festival will feature activities including stage combat, circus skills, drumming, mime, acting, cheerleading and storytelling, while the Showstopper will be specifically for young performers.

Kalini, from Bollington, runs Cygnets - Cheshire Youth Group for New and Emerging Talent on Stage - set up in 2010 to develop skills in the performing arts.

She said: “Being involved in performing arts and working in the community for many years, I have always been passionate about developing individuals and finding ways to build their confidence and self-belief. I am a firm believer in using drama and all forms of performing arts to help young people develop life skills including language and presentation skills and creativity.”

Kalini, married to David and mum to Martin, 23, and Jennifer, 17, said:“With the gap left by Barnaby this year, I wanted to take the opportunity to put on a Performing Arts Festival, all sectors of the Macclesfield community, adults and young people. Myself and Cygnets are looking to form partnerships with as many groups as possible and get local people involved in what will be a fantastic community event.”

The Performing Arts Festival will take place at St Michaels Church on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, with Macclesfield Folk Festival the following weekend.

Showstoppers by Cygnets is a chance to meet the team and learn new performing arts skills, at St Michaels Church from Thursday, June 25 to Saturday, June 27.

Visit cygnets.org, email info@cygnets.org or contact 07780 685498 for information.