Journeys Festival International returns to Leicester from 12 – 14 August.

With a host of wonderful performances and activities across the city centre, we’ve taken a look at some of the stand-out events that are happening as part of the festival.

Rush

Rush is a large-scale outdoor spectacle of street theatre, featuring a cast of local people alongside the incredibly powerful performance skills of Southpaw Dance Company.

Inspired by stories of the local community, Rush explores the challenges and hardships we face as a society, providing an outlet for everyday frustrations and culminating in a huge release of energy, creativity and celebration of Leicester’s communities. This electrifying spectacle will transform Lee Street like you’ve never seen before, with projection, mass movement and Southpaw’s distinctive award-winning storytelling.

Stand Up. Be Heard. Celebrate Your City.

13 August, 9.00pm – 9.45pm at Crown House, Lee Street, Leicester. LE1 3AH

Laugh in the Caff

Join the festival upstairs at Bru for an evening of laughter with some of the best talent of the comedy scene, handpicked by the team behind Leicester Comedy Festival. Hosted by award-winning comedian Mo Omar.

12 August, 8.00pm-9.30pm, Bru on Granby Street. Tickets are £5 (but include a £5 voucher to spend inside) and can be purchased online.

Frock

Six striking dancers collide in an uplifting dance riot…

Frock is set to a brand new art rock soundtrack by Hannah Miller and Oli Austin of Moulettes.

In this quirky new dance piece, watch playful observations of the yesteryears explode into ‘punkish’ celebration of individuality and difference.

13 and 14 August, 2.30pm – 2.55pm and 4.30pm – 4.55pm, Jubilee Square

Roll Play

Prepare to be amazed by the explosive tricks and artful dexterity of Simple Cypher’s newest outdoor production Roll Play.

Three strangers from different walks of life meet at a bus stop, or is it a waiting room – it could also be a park bench? Together these three performers blur the boundaries between hip-hop and circus, using intricate moves and agility to give a captivating, cheeky and effortlessly cool performance that will amaze
audiences of all ages.

13 and 14 August,, 2.10pm – 2.40pm and 3.50pm – 4.20pm, Clock Tower

Castaway

Drowning under a crushing mass of plastic, the Keeper of the Waterways awakens and rises up.

It’s time for change. Highly Sprung’s CastAway is a stunning outdoor performance that explores the impact of today’s throwaway society on our waterways. Featuring a unique gyroscopic flying machine, it presents a brand new approach to aerial theatre. The all-female cast immerses audiences in an underwater world where performers dive, twist and float over 26 feet in the air to delight, inspire and captivate people of all ages.

13 and 14 August, 12.30pm – 1.00pm and 3.00pm – 3.30pm, Clock Tower

Liberty Orchestra

The Liberty Orchestra lifts the spirit of the festival with live Jazz.

The orchestra was formed as part of the Liberty EU programme in 2021 and features young musicians from around the world. Inspired by the sounds of folklore from all over the planet, the Liberty Orchestra creates sounds inspired by places, countries and people across the world. Whether it’s a Maqam from the Middle East, a Saharan Gnawa beat or music from somewhere else completely, the Liberty Orchestra moves in a new direction…

A fresh sound hailing from old traditions.

13 and 14 August, 1.00pm – 1.20pm High Street and 3.40pm – 4.10pm Jubilee Square

All of this and much more will be taking place across the city centre. You can find the full event information on the Journeys Festival International website