The Lincolnshire Guide > News > Exhilarating And Challenging European Arts Tour Comes To Skegness

Exhilarating And Challenging European Arts Tour Comes To Skegness

There is not long to go until a nine-day international arts spectacular, which has been on tour around Europe’s coastline for the last two years, reaches its final destination – Skegness.

The Black/North SEAS project opens in the UK on 25th September, bringing with it a core programme of 16 challenging, exciting, entertaining and thought-provoking events to one of the Britain’s most well known coastal resorts.

Artists, actors and performers from across Europe will descend on Skegness, the home of Butlins and the ‘Red Coats’ with the aim of entertaining people but also broadening their horizons, challenging their perceptions and beliefs and leaving a legacy which will help change the way people see Skegness for the better.

As well as the core programme of 16 acts, which include The Kiss and Waste Project looking at the personal stories of women across the Black and North Seas and Suitcases a theatrical exploration of Bulgaria’s communist past, over 30 artists from across the East Midlands will come together to make Black/North SEAS one of the most exciting, vibrant, diverse and stereotype-challenging events the UK has ever seen.

Black/North SEAS has been brought to life by Swedish arts organisation Intercult, with the help of funding from the European Union, and is coming to the UK thanks to East Lindsey District Council, Skegness Town Council, Lincolnshire County Council, the University of Lincoln and the Arts Council England.

“This project is one of the most exciting, challenging and thought provoking initiatives ever to be staged in the UK,” says Cllr Adam Grist Portfolio Holder for Leisure at East Lindsey District Council. “People from Turkey, Bulgaria, the Ukraine, Norway and Denmark have already hosted SEAS. All of them have been amazed by the spectacle. The local communities have thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment on offer, businesses have appreciated the influx of people from further afield and the discussion about the future of coastal resorts has given people a great deal of optimism. We hope that SEAS will bring the same wave of optimism to Skegness.”

Black/North SEAS set sail in 2008 and has visited Odessa, Istanbul, Mangalia and Varna on Europe’s Black Sea coastline and Helsingborg, Göteborg and Tromsø on the North Sea. Skegness was chosen as the tour’s final port of call due to the town’s similarities with the other locations.

“Skegness is one the United Kingdom’s most traditional and best loved resorts. It has such resonance and awareness, not only in Lincolnshire but the country as a whole,” says Adam Jeanes, SEAS Project Director. “The town has, like so many other places on the world’s coasts, suffered from local people leaving, a lack of investment by major employers, coastal erosion and other climate-related factors, but at its heart is still a vibrant, exciting and appealing place with a strong community spirit. By working with Arts Council England to bring SEAS to Skegness, we hope to challenge the way people see Skegness, attract visitors to the town and also leave a legacy by placing the future of coastal resorts on the national agenda.”

In addition to 16 touring events, the involvement of over 90 UK artists and many other events involving schools, colleges and local groups, the Black/North SEAS programme also features a two-day conference, SeaScape on 1st and 2nd October.

SeaScape will see over 100 MPs, planners, councillors, architects, artists and public sector officials focused on coastal regeneration schemes in the UK, funded through CABE’s Sea Change programme, and across the Black and North Seas coastal areas. Very different places with very similar issues, all seeking innovative ways to move forward and sell their unique position and strengths Many of the SEAS events will be free, performed in public spaces so that as many people as possible can see them. Some events, staged in licenced premises, will be ticketed, with prices ranging from £5 to £10.

Article Published: 08/09/2009

Latest News

• Lincolnshire pips Cornwall to be crowned Britains favourite food spot
• Skegness 4th most popular UK holiday destination
• Switch on success in Mablethorpe as thousands turn out
• Over 46,000 people descend on Skegness for SO Festival 2011
• Touring caravan consultation underway

• Spilsby Show This Weekend
• Lincolnshire road closed after package found
• LIncolnshire Guide Is Changing
• Festival Line Up Is SO Exciting
• RNLI lifeguards prepare to begin their summer patrols on beaches