Exciting line-up for Standon Calling festival

Hertfordshire’s much-loved family festival returns this summer and has a programme of events that will delight – live music, performances, entertainment shows and more.

Set in beautiful Hertfordshire countryside this family-friendly music and arts extravaganza takes place 20-23 July with an enviable line up of artists.

The stage will be lit up by Years & Years, Self Esteem, Bloc Party and The Human League, alongside Anastacia, Confidence Man, Dylan, Squid, Katy B, KT Tunstall, Melanie C, Bob Vylan, Sad Night Dynamite, Lynks, and others.

Festival veterans, The Flying Seagull Project, a joyous troupe of circus performers are set to spread love, light and laughter to the animated crowd, as they deliver a programme jam-packed with exciting theatre productions, circus skills workshops, comedy shows especially for children. Kids Rave On will also be bringing a family-friendly rave experience and The Hip-Hop Academy will be on the scene for tweens and teens, offering workshops in street dance, graffiti, beat box, live beat production, lyric writing, DJ Skills and junk bling. Guest talks and workshops on body positivity, singing and poetry will also feature.

TV comedy double act Dick and Dom are back again battling it out behind the decks, and the popular dog show returns for a second year.

There’s lots more going on at the Standon Calling festival. For full line up and tickets go to standon-calling.com

The value of performing arts

The performing arts is a wide and vibrant industry including theatre, music, dance, film making and more. With its many facets, performing arts can open up a world of possibility for young people to develop and grow in an environment that is safe and supportive.

Be Confident: Confidence is fundamental to a young person’s development; it enables them to try new things and succeed and fail in a safe environment. Performing arts helps young people build confidence as they practice routines, perform in front of fellow students, family and friends, and receive and act on feedback.

Be Creative: Whether learning a dance routine, acting in a play, or pitching a film idea, the performing arts gives young people an opportunity to use their imagination and express themselves. Flexing their creative muscles allows young people to think outside the box and find creative solutions to problems they encounter.

Be Connected: There are very few industries that rely on teamwork as much as the performing arts. Whether they are rehearsing, performing, or filming, performing arts allows young people to connect with others who share their passion.

The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts believes that performing arts can have a huge, positive impact on the lives of young people. Every week, students learn new skills and make new friends though three core modules; Comedy & Drama, Film & Television and Musical Theatre. Through the ethos of ‘Be Yourself, Be Amazing’ students have the confidence to put themselves out there, the creativity to think differently and the community to feel supported whilst doing so.

For more info visit: www.pqacademy.com