Write a story with your street, boogie on down in a doorstep disco, belt out a tune in a sing-along for seniors or make a freedom kite to hang in your window - all ways communities can get involved with Nottstopping Festival.
BBC Nottingham is providing the soundtracks for the mass participation sing-along and dance-along at 2pm and 7pm on both days, with thousands set to tune in to celebrate a moment of connection with people in lockdown across the towns and villages of Nottinghamshire.
Line of Duty star Vicky McClure, This is England director Shane Meadows, award-winning artist Wolfgang Buttress, members of the musically talented Kanneh-Mason family, visual artist and BBC’s The Big Painting Challenge mentor Diana Ali and acclaimed documentary filmmaker Jeanie Finlay are just some of the county’s leading lights to be popping up during the mammoth 150 hours of streaming.
Dot to Dot will provide a music festival vibe on the weekend it was due to take place and there will be lots of laughs with the Just the Tonic all day comedy stream. Five Leaves Bookshop, the UK's independent bookshop of the year will present readings from Nottingham poets and authors while everyone missing live sport will be delighted to hear Nottingham Forest and Notts County are both signed up.
Nottstopping organiser Ben Welch said:
““We’re on a mission to get the whole of Nottinghamshire involved in this spectacular weekend of entertainment to connect us all, so whether you want to sing, dance, paint, cook, sign, write, draw or create or give a shout out to your frontline hero, we have something for you. So visit www.nottstoppingfestival.com and choose a way to take part.””
Working with Nottingham Playhouse, Nottstopping Festival is also reaching out to the care home sector to invite residents to join in a county wide Pack Up Your Troubles sing-along at 2pm on both days.
Pippa Foster, from Nottingham Community Housing Association, said:
““This has been such a challenging time for our residents who have not been able to see their families for a while now. We know music has a way of reaching out and connecting people, so this is a lovely way for them to be part of this festival and share a moment with the wider community. We’ll be singing along!””
Nottstopping Community Connect projects include Write Up My Street in partnership with University Of Nottingham. Streets are invited to create a story together with each household writing a paragraph before passing it on to their neighbours to continue the story. The best ones could be read out on air during the festival by a well known narrator!
Doorstep Disco in partnership with Dance4 will give everyone the chance to boogie along to three well known bangers to be played on BBC Radio Nottingham at 7pm on Saturday and Sunday. There will be some fun dance routines to learn in advance on the festival website.
Or why not learn how to sign the song It Must Be Love by Madness. Clips of people signing along to the song will be edited together into a BSL community video and screened over the weekend.
Notts Go Fly a Kite in partnership with City Arts + Freedom Arts will be a fun activity for children. Go to the website to find a video showing how to make your kite and pop your creation in a window at home and keep hold of it to be a part of an exhibition.
Knit, knot, plait, pom pom, felt, tassel, weave, wrap, crochet, embroider or braid a miniature piece of yarn art to create a community artwork with Can Samba, and send it to them by 20 May to be part of the first ever Yowler for the Nottstopping Festival.
Print off a Wish You Were Here postcard and write a heartfelt message to a person on your street, someone you miss or have never met - add a photo, illustration, a joke, or just a lovely supportive message.
Send in your favourite recipes and why they are special to you and some will feature in Cooking Up a Storm in partnership with Himmah with some familiar faces in the kitchen. There’s also the chance for keen cooks to host a LIVE cook-along, so get in touch.
Nottstopping is also asking people to nominate a frontline worker close to their heart for the chance for them to receive a special gift, treat or experience being pledged by generous businesses across Nottinghamshire. To submit a nomination, post a short video on Nottstopping Festival social media saying why they are your frontline hero and hashtag #nottstoppingheroes
Nottstopping Festival 23-24 May 2020
The Nottstopping GoFundMe is now open for donations here: www.gofundme.com/f/nottstoppin... festival will be streamed in full at www.nottstoppingfestival.com. Local broadcaster Notts TV will also be presenting a special programme of Nottstopping activities over the course of the weekend at www.nottstv.com and BBC Nottingham are broadcasting a singalong at 2pm and dancelong at 7pm both days.
To find out how to get involved, visit www.nottstoppingfestival.com Keep an eye out for stories in the media, and follow the Nottstopping social media to stay in touch.
