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MBNA CHESTIVAL – The festival that celebrates Chester’s best bits!
The sun is starting to shine which means it must be MBNA CHESTIVAL time, returning for its third year in Chester.
MBNA Chestival 2012
2nd June – 15th July, throughout Chester City Centre
Unique. Creative. Exciting. A truly remarkable 44-day festival spiralling around Chester’s City Centre providing breath- taking entertainment for all ages.
Don’t hide away in the dark! Longer days and shorter nights will soon be upon us. Embrace the light and get involved with Chestival’s action-packed schedule for the summer. Feel the hairs on your back scream as The Midsummer Watch Parade enters town; Watch your eyes pop out as you get transported back in time as the Romans invade Chester for one weekend; Let your ear drums rejoice during our Chester Summer Music Festival and jump with glee that your favourite films are all available to watch at the outdoor cinema. It’s honestly a summer festival not to be missed. Don’t hesitate. Tickets are on sale NOW . You won’t want to be disappointed.
Your favourite events from the last two years make a welcome return and are joined by some exciting brand new innovations and along with celebrating the Queens Diamond Jubilee on 4th & 5th June, Chester will be one big party starting on 2nd June and finishing on 15th July
So what are you waiting for? Come and join in the fun with family and friends and discover Chester through its best events and festivals.
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Monday 4th June 2012 - Jubilee Giants Day
Free
Chester City Centre
11am – 3pm
A once in a lifetime spectacle. 60 GiANT Queens and their community teams, will be parading and performing in the heart of Chester City centre to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. Expect carnival processions, bands, dancers, performers, street entertainers and the awesome GiANTS!
The festival will also incorporate our old favourite Giants as well as some of our historic Giant stories that will be told along the route and at our 4 performance sites ; Bridge Street, Town Hall Square, Eastgate street and Northgate St. The parade and festivities will start at 11am under the Eastgate Clock and continue until 3pm.
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Northgate Street Party
4th June
Northgate Street area and Abbey Green
FREE
11am – 8pm
Come along and celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee weekend with the Northgate Street Community with everything you need for a good party its one not to miss - Giants, music, street entertainers and a treasure trail there is something for everyone.
What’s Happening and Where?
11.00am – 5.00pm – street entertainers, stalls, busker competition, al fresco eating the length of Northgate Street, Abbey Green & Rufus Court
12.00pm – The Giants visit the party as they parade from the Town Hall to the Bluecoat
12.00pm – 5.00pm The official ‘Acoustic Stage’ will spring into action for the day based at the junction with Water Tower Street showcasing local talent
12.30pm – 4.30pm – Performances outside the Odeon featuring some of Chester Giants
3.00pm Giants leave the party and parade back to the Town Hall
4.00pm – 8.00pm – Then it’s time to party till early evening at the ‘Main stage’ on Abbey Green featuring local bands – a great way to end the celebrations
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Roman Weekend
Saturday 2nd - Sunday 3rd June 2012
FREE EVENT!
Romans will re-claim the city for the whole weekend for the beginning of MBNA Chestival. After the success of the last three years it's back with a vengeance... 2012 will be bigger and better!
100’s of Roman’s from all over Europe will be descending on Chester for a full weekend of activity, including Gladiatorial Roman Games, a working Roman village with a live archaeological dig, original Roman Kids Army, Military Displays and a Roman march through the city centre.
WHAT'S HAPPENING, WHERE?!
At the AMPHITHEATRE...
The amphitheatre will provide the venue for the ‘live action’ performances...
11.00am – Military drills
12.00pm – March of all Roman Legions through Chester City Centre, starting from Grosvenor Park
1.30pm – Celts & Ancient Britons display
2.00pm – Kids Army enter and surprise the Celts & Britons!
2.40pm – Roman legions enter and show formation and drills
3.30pm – The Gladiator battles – fighting for their honour to finish the day’s activities
At GROSVENOR PARK...
On Saturday and Sunday, there’ll be a host of period crafts, traders and events as the park becomes home to the biggest Roman living history encampment in Europe".
Entertainment in the park runs from 10.00am - 5.00pm. During the course of each day there will be displays of music and dance from the Roman Empire, from the dance troupes Ya Raqs and Maysoon, and from the Morcccan dancer Nawara. Live music will be provided by Arabic musicians Mazaj with Roman music from Manike Music. Living History Displays from the Celts and Romans - everything from the might of the Roman Military, to a Celtic warrior, through to a Roman Fashion Show. There will be a chance to sign up for a special Ya Raqs dance workshop; dress up like a Roman or an Egyptian; or even have a henna tattoo. Roman musician and Storyteller, Ruth Moore-Williams will keep the whole day moving, so there will be something for everyone.
ALSO - Internationally recognised authors, Ben Kane, Ruth Downie, Manda Scott, Anthony Richies, Russ Whitfield and Robert Fabbri will be present all weekend in the Roman Village selling and signing their best-selling books.
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OUTDOOR CINEMA 6th - 21st June
Chester’s Amphitheatre is going back to the movies and is bigger and better than 2011! Come and experience the magical atmosphere of watching a film in the outdoors and in Chester’s very own special and unique venue of the Amphitheatre. A huge outdoor screen will be showing films for all ages and tastes and with new food outlets selling delicious food and drink there is no reason to stop you coming and viewing your favourite films in the open air with family and friends, a truly unique experience.
This year the cinema is open at the weekends and all the weekend films will be themed and shown throughout Saturday and Sunday. A great way to spend time with your family and friends.
To book click on the flashing red 'BOOK NOW' button on the top right of this page. Please note the film certificates (i.e. U, PG, 12, 12A, 15) before booking. No persons under the certificate age will knowingly be sold a ticket or admitted to the film showing.
MBNA CHESTIVAL OUTDOOR CINEMA LISTINGS:
WEDNESDAY 6th JUNE 2012:
Cars (U) 4.30pm
Blues Brothers(1998) (PG) 7.30pm
THURSDAY 7th JUNE 2012:
Oliver (1968) (U) 4.30pm
Devil wears Prada (PG) 7.30pm
FRIDAY 8th JUNE 2012:
Beauty & the Beast (U) 4.30pm
Love Actually (15) 7.30pm - NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 15 PERMITTED!
SATURDAY 9th JUNE 2012: DINOSAUR DAY
The Land Before Time (U) 12.00pm
Dinosaur (U) 2.30pm
Jurassic Park (PG) 5.30pm
Godzilla (PG) 8.00pm
SUNDAY 10th JUNE: MARVEL DAY
Fantastic Four (PG) 12.00pm
Spider-Man (12A) 2.30pm - NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 12 PERMITTED!
X-Men (12) 5.30pm - NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 12 PERMITTED!
The Incredible Hulk (2008) (12) 8.00pm - NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 12 PERMITTED!
MONDAY 11th JUNE 2012:
Rio (U) 4.30pm
Chicago (12A) 7.30pm - NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 12 PERMITTED!
TUESDAY 12th JUNE 2012:
How to Train Your Dragon (PG) 4.30pm
Senna (12A) - 7:30pm
WEDNESDAY 13th JUNE 2012
Mary Poppins (U) 4.30pm
Mamma Mia! (PG) 7.30pm
THURSDAY 14th JUNE 2012
Lion King (U) 4.30pm
Rocky Horror Picture Show (15) 7.30pm - NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 15 PERMITTED!
FRIDAY 15th JUNE 2012:
Kung Fu Panda (PG) 4.30pm
Bridget Jones’ Diary (15) 7.30pm - NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 15 PERMITTED!
SATURDAY 16th JUNE: SPEILBERG SATURDAY!
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (PG) 12.00pm
Hook (PG) 2.30pm
War of the Worlds (12A) 5.30pm
War Horse (12A) 8.00pm - NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 12 PERMITTED!
SUNDAY 17th JUNE: GIANT DAY
James and the Giant Peach (1996) (U) 12.00pm
Gullivers Travels (2010) (PG) 2.30pm
King Kong (12) 5.30pm - NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 12 PERMITTED!
MONDAY 18th JUNE 2012:
Hannah Montana: The Movie (U) 4.30pm
Back to the Future (PG) 7.30pm
TUESDAY 19th JUNE
Breakfast at tiffany's (PG) 4.30pm
The Guru (15) 7.30pm - NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 15 PERMITTED!
WEDNESDAY 20th JUNE:
A Bugs Life (U) 4.30pm
Top Gun (15) 7.30pm - NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 15 PERMITTED!
THURSDAY 21st June 2012:
Gladiator (15) 7.30pm - NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 15 PERMITTED!
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Midsummer Watch Parade Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June 2012 at 2pm.
The MBNA Chestival Midsummer Watch Parade is one of Britain's oldest and most colourful street parades, originally staged by the City Guilds at Midsummer back in 1498.
The parade includes a cast of up to 500 with pride of place going to Chester's unique 'Family of Giants' the Father, Mother and two daughters; towering 4 metre figures. The parade is led by the Summer Watch drummer and the City Guilds plus a Pirate Ship, a huge Elephant and Castle, ridden by a cupid shooting arrows, Dragons, Angels, the Chester Ravens, Unicorn, Stag, Hobby Horses, St Werburgh, Green Men, Camel, Devil Band and dancers plus many more strange and wonderful characters. Don’t forget your camera!
PARADE ROUTE:
Chester Town Hall, St Werburgh Street, Eastgate St, Bridge Street, Pepper Street, St John’s Street, Eastgate Street; returning to the Town Hall for a finale via Northgate Street.
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MARK STEEL'S IN TOWN
Monday 25th June 2012 - 8pm
Following his highly acclaimed, Sony Award winning and Writers Guild Award winning Radio 4 comedy show 'Mark Steel’s In Town', and the publication of a book of the same title, writer and stand-up comedian Mark Steel is back on the road and heading to Chester!
Bringing an element of 'Mark Steel’s In Town' to each live performance, means Mark will write material shedding light on the quirkiness and interesting aspects of every town and city he visits, allowing each show to be unique - something local audiences up and down the country will devour and enjoy. Mark is committed to performing a routine about the history of every town he’ll perform in. However, he may regret making this promise! We wonder what he'll be saying about Chester!
As well as 'Mark Steel’s In Town', Mark has presented the BAFTA nominated 'Mark Steel Lectures' for BBC2, is a regular on BBC1’s 'Have I Got News For You' and Radio 4’s 'Newsquiz'. He’s written several, acclaimed books, including: 'Reasons To Be Cheerful' and 'What’s Going On' and he writes a weekly column for The Independent.
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Chester Vaudeville
Friday 13th July - 8pm
18+ ONLY!
Friday 13th unlucky for some but not Chester, as ‘Dantes inferno’ brings 12 of Vaudevilles best up and coming artistes. An evening full of risky and frisky cabaret, designed to make you gasp and applaud. This is your chance to see things you may never have seen before. Featuring the following and many more artists in all their weird and wonderful guises – one not to miss!
"DEZ O'CONNOR" – Dez returns for his second host appearance in Chester along with his trusty ukuele and alternative lyrics!
MR PUSTRA – A visually compelling artist and Vaudeville’s darkest muse who plays the ‘saw’!
VIVID ANGEL – Queen of alternative performance. A freak-show diva, burlesque honey, lover of fire and cabaret.
MARNIE SCARLETTE – A visual burlesque spectacle!
BENDINI – One of only 5 sword swallowers left in the UK!
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THE CHESTER GIANTS Opera Sunday 1st July 2012 - 1pm and 4pm at Chester Amphitheatre
A brand new community opera inspired by London 2012 (written by writer in residence Helen Newall with music by Matt Baker), ‘THE CHESTER GIANTS’ takes the legend of the Chester Giant who searches for a soul-mate throughout the four corners of the earth as a starting point. This 40 minute opera will be performed in Chester’s Amphitheatre and incorporates Across the World, the anthem developed for BBC Music Nation (performed in Chester on March 3rd).
It will be a major community production and forms part of the Chester Summer Music Festival’s BIG SING! weekend, engaging over 300 members of the local community (children, young people and adults), A Handbag of Harmonies and Giants galore! One not to miss.
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