A Kaleidoscope Of Cultures and Art, Celebrating Birmingham As A Hybrid City
- Richard Loftus
- Aug 27, 2022
- 1 min read
Black Voices, ACE Dance and Music, Legacy Centre of Excellence and Black Arts Forum come together to present Route 34 – Embracing Cultures, a seven month extravaganza of texture, soundscape and colour that celebrates the richness of culture in Birmingham. The Caribbean is a diverse region in climate and terrain, with flora that brims with natural wonder. Route 34 takes inspiration from this vibrant backdrop, as carnival characters and mass voices from the choral community join together for a series of performances and community-led activities.
Route 34 – Embracing Cultures celebrates the Commonwealth Games being hosted in Birmingham by bringing Caribbean inspired costumes to the streets of the city and reaching the diversity of communities that line the A34 route from the city centre to north-west Birmingham.
The combination of skills in the North Birmingham Alliance partnership has resulted in a commissioned anthem, We Rise, composed by Ken Burton, which will be launched by over 800 massed choral singers in Symphony Hall on 10 July and then performed in parks, shopping centres and sports venues throughout August.
Spectacular costumes have been commissioned and created by Clary Salandy (Mahogany Arts) inspired by the 11 Caribbean islands and countries coming to the Games. These costumes will process around parks led by professional dancers and youth participants from ACE dance and music in venues across the Festival period in August – September.
Participatory activities for children and young people will be available during day events in the Bullring (6 August) and mac Birmingham (13 August) and at local carnivals in the Parks (Legacy Centre of Excellence, Perry Hall Park and Grosvenor Road Studios (GRS).
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