It’s nearly time for the all important Bank Holiday Weekend kicking off Blackpool’s summer season, and if you’re looking for something to keep you (or the kids) entertained you’ll be spoilt for choice with a varied selection of places to go and things to do.
Good Friday
The Grundy Art Gallery hosts Puppet Show, a group exhibition of artist-made puppets showing a variety of work including sculpture, film and performance. The exhibition seeks to speak what cannot be said through the mouths of its puppet population. The gallery is open from 11am to 4pm on Good Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Easter Monday.
Local artist Brendan Bunting will unveil his latest public art with “He died for our sins… but why do we keep on sinning?” going on display at a location to be revealed on the day. Speaking on the Facebook event page Brendan said, “This Easter it is my intention to get people to mull over the wrong doings of this world rather than just scoffing their face with a chocolate eggs.” To view the work confirm your attendance on the Facebook page and updates on the location along with images of the art will be posted so you can go and find them in person.
Friday also sees Illuminasia opening its doors to the public for the first day of Blackpool’s newest family attraction. The inside of Olympia inside the Winter Gardens has been transformed into a huge indoor illuminated fantasy land with six immersive zones, from The Blackpool Experience to The Wonders of the World, featuring our very own Tower.
If you’re looking for music then Friday night has plenty to offer with Government and The Cheeky Keys at The Blue Room from 7pm, De Palma at The Queens (Fleetwood) from 9pm, Ska Face at Toast (St Annes) from 9.30pm, Smokin Monkey at Cleveleys Working Men’s Club or The Thin Lizzy Experience at The Layton.
Saturday
If you’re in need of a little retail therapy or are on the hunt for a last minute Easter gift look no further than Charabanc. Set into the side of the Winter Gardens on Coronation Street, this hidden gem boasts a range of locally produced products from over twenty designers and makers and, better still, profits are reinvested into Aunty Social, a Blackpool-based community arts organisation.
If you’re after arts on Saturday Supercollider is hosting No Pain No Gain by artist Brian J Morrison on behalf of SEE Organisation. The show aims to investigate body building culture and notions of a male centred ideal. Through the show SEE hopes to explore concepts and representations of masculinity and gendered identity. Supercollider is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm.
The Halfway House hosts its Easter Family Fun Day with live music from 1pm and all in aid of raising money for the Mulberry Community Project. On the bill are Ryan Cretan, The Artist Formally Know As Mark, Tamara Jayne Fox, April Keen, The Lost Archives, The Blue Waves, Montagu and Little Green Wheels taking you right through late into the night.
The final performances of Brassed Off grace the stage of the Grand Theatre on Saturday with a 2pm matinee and 7.30pm show for those in search of a way to start their evening. Transport yourself back to the 90s.
Saturday night brings yet more music for you to choose from with The Senton Bombs at The Blue Room from 9pm, Touch the Pearl at The Tavern (St Annes) from 9pm, Brother Rabbit at Toast (St Annes) from 9.30pm, De Palma at The Ashley (Thornton) from 9.30pm and Hot Red Chilli Peppers at The Layton.
Blackpool Cricket Club has your afternoon covered on Sunday with 7″ of Bliss Easter All Dayer kicking off from 2pm with DJs Chinny, A.P, Will Graney, Beat Generation and more, bringing you a selection of punk funk, hip hop, ska, reggae, new wave, disco plus plenty more besides. In a new twist, there is no fee being charged for entry to the Cricket Club but instead you’re asked to stick you hand in your pocket and fill the honesty box. Definitely one not to be missed!
If you’re after some live music Sunday evening you can see The Wizdom of Oz & The Bean Machine with The Atmospherics at The Blue Room from 8pm and De Palma at Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 9pm.
Easter Monday
Truly Handmade & Vintage Fair returns on Easter Monday and is going outdoors in an Easter extravaganza at Blackpool Cricket Club from 10am. There will be plenty of opportunities to pick up a treat for yourself (or someone else) with twenty stallholders selling a variety of vintage and handmade products – plus live entertainment and a vintage tea room. Better still, it is free entry and there will be hot food and real ale available inside the cricket club – why not make a day of it?
If you’re with kids why not head to St Anne’s Pavilion for the Easter Treasure Hunt & Best Decorated Egg competition. The treasure hunt and competition opens from 12 midday and runs right through until the winners announcements and presentation by the Town Mayor from 1.30pm.
Whatever you end up doing it’s sure to be a fun filled Easter weekend and we want to hear all about what you’re getting up to. Share and tweet your pictures from across the weekend on #bpleaster on Facebook and Twitter to be included in our weekend round up next week. Happy Easter from everyone at altblackpool!
Featured image and Cricket Club image courtesy of CJGriffiths Photography.
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