WORLD CLASS MUSIC FESTIVAL TO UNITE TOWN IN CELEBR

A group of local organisations have come together to present Urban Classical, a two day event taking place in Workington on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September. This classical music festival will include an outdoor, Proms-style ‘Picnic in the Park' with Manchester Camerata and a concert by the Simon Bolivar String Quartet from the El Sistema project in Venezuela, presented by Rosehill, Whitehaven. There will also be free musical performances in and around Workington, taking place in key locations.

This celebratory weekend, organised by The Rotary Club of Workington and Allerdale Borough Council, with support from Rosehill Theatre, offers a wonderful opportunity for local people to come together following the devastating floods of last November. Members of the community will be able to celebrate the town's resilient spirit in its post-flood phase, have the opportunity to experience live classical music in a familiar setting and relax with their family and friends.

On Saturday 11 September, Derwent Park Stadium will host a Proms-style ‘Picnic in the Park' featuring Manchester Camerata, the North West's leading chamber orchestra. This family friendly evening includes the music from James Bond films, a host of ‘Proms' favourites and a superb firework finale. Compered by David McNeill of the Times & Star, people are encouraged to bring picnics and there will be the chance to see some of the original Bond cars from The Bond Museum in Keswick. Doors open at 5.30pm for picnics and entertainment and the concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets costing £5 and £10 are available from the Carnegie Theatre, Workington by calling 01900 602122 or from Rosehill Theatre, Moresby, Whitehaven by calling 01946 692422.

Workington Rotarian John Head said, "This will be a great evening that will bring the community of this great little town together for fun and festivities following a difficult year".

On Sunday 12 September there is a rare opportunity to hear the renowned Venuzuelan Simon Bolivar String Quartet at Our Lady and St Michael's Church, at Banklands, Workington. This beautiful church is at the heart of the local community and provides a unique and inspirational venue on the quartet's first and exclusive UK tour - they are also playing in London and Edinburgh. The quartet is formed from principal players of the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra, part of the world famous El Sistema project which uses music to transform the lives of street children in Venezuela. The concert will be preceded by a discussion with the quartet about how their lives have been transformed by music. Held in St Joseph's Catholic High School alongside the church, the talk begins at 4pm and will be followed by an optional supper. The concert will start at 7.30pm. Tickets costing £6 to £14 are available from Rosehill Theatre, Moresby, Whitehaven by calling 01946 692422 or from the Carnegie Theatre, Workington by calling 01900 602122.

Richard Elder, director of Rosehill Theatre, said, "This is a real coup for Workington, the organisers and Rosehill Theatre. It has been our ambition to take classical music on the road but we never thought we would have the opportunity to bring this quartet to West Cumbria."

During the weekend there will also be exclusive performances by musicians around Workington, as part of the town's Heritage Open Days programme. Places of interest include the Old Jail House, West Cumberland Guild of Model Engineers, Workington Library, Helena Thompson Museum, Theatre Royal and the Workington Heritage Trust. Free tours of the heritage venues on a Workington Heritage Transport Trust classic bus will be available.

For more information on Urban Classical please visit http://www.urbanclassical.co.uk/

Rosehill Theatre is an active member of the West Cumbrian Arts Partnership, a loose consortium of performing arts organisations and individuals who are committed to developing participatory work in a community context within West Cumbria. The partnership recognises the strength of working collectively rather than individually and strategy and practice are developed collectively between partners.