THOUSANDS of people flocked to Northwich town centre at the weekend to enjoy a spectacular festival showcasing a huge variety of dance and street arts.
Now Northwich, put on by Winsford’s Cheshire Dance and partners, returned on April 30 promising dance, acrobatics, street performances, live music, interactive workshops and artisan food and drink.
A key event in the Cheshire calendar, this year’s Now Northwich festival filled the town with sound and movement, from The Plaza, along Witton Street, across Barons Quay sites and all the way to Apple Market Place.
Attracting audiences of around 27,000, there was a giant crawling sea creature on display, a honey-perfumed bee colony, a floral biodome and even mythical migrating birds.
There was also flamboyant dance riots with acro, urban, Brazilian and African twists, drum-tastic performances, immersive experiences and even journeys to the moon.
Headlining Now Northwich 2022 was ‘Museum of the Moon’ – a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram in The Plaza.
Cllr Sam Naylor, mayor of Northwich, said: “It was fantastic to see and feel the buzz in Northwich town centre on Saturday - and for the first time, I actually began to consider consigning Covid to the past and looking forward to a positive future for our great town.
“Cheshire Dance and their partners didn’t disappoint with the third Now Northwich and if the reaction of my five grandkids who attended is anything to go by, then roll on Now Northwich 2023.
“We all loved the music, the dancing, the bees and of course the mesmeric moon.
“A super day all round and a real shot in the arm for our cultural and business communities."
Jane McLean, creative director of Cheshire Dance added: “The atmosphere at Now Northwich 2022 was incredible.
“Audiences of all ages were captivated by the fantastic performances and it was heart-warming to see young visitors to the festival completely mesmerised by the sights and sounds around them.
“Many people commented on the friendly atmosphere and it was wonderful see the community reunite in their town centre after Covid and to feel safe at what was probably their first attendance at a large scale event in over two years.”
Now Northwich 2022 was part of the Reopening and Recovery programme, funded by the Governments Additional Restrictions Grant to Cheshire West and Chester Council with additional investment from Arts Council England through a National Lottery Project Grant.
Now Northwich (part of the Without Walls Touring Network Partnership) was produced by Cheshire Dance in collaboration with and investment from Northwich Town Council, Northwich BID and Barons Quay.
Additional investment for 2022 was also been kindly donated from Charcoal Blue, Encirc and via Cheshire West and Chester Council member’s budgets.
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