All About Us Festival
Summer workshops
Come and have a taste of something different this August!
You can read more about the Festival and find out how to get involved here
You can book tickets for all the Festival performances here
If you have any questions or need more information please contact us at takingpart@trestle.org.uk
Spoken Word
2 and 4 August, 1-3 pm, at Trestle Arts Base, Russet Drive, St Albans AL4 0JQ
Cost: FREE but must be booked in advance
Limited to 12 participants (plus Support workers)
Speak your truth! Come along and have fun using words, rhymes, poetry and performance to explore your identity. Tell us who you are and what you think through the power of spoken word! This is a chance to speak out and have your voice heard in a safe and friendly space.
Together we will create a collaborative piece of spoken word poetry, especially for this festival.
This workshop is run by Sophie Gresswell, a local artist and poet who focuses on identity, belonging and empowering voices. Sophie has had work featured on BBC Arts and was an artist in residence as part of Hitchin Library's 'My Story' project.
This will also be a filmed workshop so you will also have the opportunity to take part in the film to be shown at our film festival event in October!
Come join the Circus!
10 August, 1-3 pm, Cotlandswick Leisure Centre, 341 High St, London Colney, St Albans AL2 1EB
Cost: FREE but must be booked in advance
Limited to 12 participants (plus Support workers)
Learn some new tricks from the easy to more challenging. Spin a plate, throw a diabolo, walk on stilts as well as lots more skills. You could even attempt a unicycle!
Run by Drew Hewett, a local Circus Skills tutor and ex-trapeze artist who runs circus workshops for parties and schools.
Sing-song-a-long
22 August, 1-3 pm, at St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY
Cost: FREE but must be booked in advance
Do you enjoy singing? Come along and sing for fun with others in the beautiful St Albans Abbey. We’ll practise warm-ups and songs that you might know and learn a few new ones too. We will also teach you a brand new song specially composed for this festival.
Run by Dawn Hudson, a local music, drama and dance teacher who runs the weekly Sing Out! and Dance Now! integrated sessions at Trestle Arts Base.
Circles of Colour and Get Pulpy With Paper-Making!
24 August, 11 am- 1 pm, at Trestle Arts Base, Russet Drive, St Albans AL4 0JQ
Cost: FREE but must be booked in advance
Limited to 24 participants (plus Support workers)
There will be more than one art activity at this session and you are encouraged to try both out!
We’ll be experimenting with colours, using long brushes to paint on giant circles of paper. Come and help create beautiful mixed up colours and patterns. All participants will contribute to a shared artwork that will be displayed in a museum as well as make their own smaller circle picture to take away. This art activity is suitable for everybody.
Run by Jane Glynn, an artist and educator. Her own artwork includes picture books, paintings and animations and she also works with museums, schools and art galleries, helping people to discover their own creativity.
We will also be making paper from scratch, using the paper pulp and deckles to create pieces of handmade paper, which you can then decorate. It's a soggy, pulpy process, very tactile and lot's of fun! Be prepared to get a little bit wet! All ages are welcome, although tiny ones may need to be supervised. You can then dry your sheets at home, add more decoration and send a message to a loved one.
Run by Chris Blanch, an Arts Development Officer with St Albans Arts Team for 14 years. She has run numerous art activities and projects with disability groups, minority communities, schools and residents. Her ethos is to make art fun and accessible for all.
Please note that the Workshops are suitable for ages 16+
All Workshops can be booked online via the button below.