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Town Gardens Takeover

Town Gardens Takeover

An entire day of pop-up performances and creative arts workshops.

Discover your talent... watch, listen, take part or just relax. Includes breakthrough talent on the band stand and on the Bowl stage.

 

 

Woman painting portrait on a wall.

Live Painting at Town Gardens

Join us for a special event at Town Gardens, where acclaimed Swindon based artist Caryn Koh will be engaging the public through a captivating live painting session. Known for her emotive and introspective work, Caryn’s practice spans painting and street art often exploring themes of self, memory, and transformation. Her distinctive visual style and thoughtful approach have garnered recognition both in the UK and internationally.

During this session, Caryn will be working on canvas in a public setting, offering audiences a rare opportunity to witness the evolution from a blank surface to a finished piece. Visitors will be able to observe the artist’s technique, brushwork, and use of colour as the composition gradually unfolds. They will also be invited to get involved and add their own elements to the piece under supervision of Caryn. This immersive experience invites a deeper appreciation of the creative process and fosters connection between the artist and audience.

Drop In | All ages

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Group of singers and theatre actors performing onstage.

'Also, There's Ghosts' Open Choir

Love musical theatre? Love singing in beautiful harmony? Come and learn a musical theatre banger with us ghosties in our open choir!

Also There's Ghosts is a new Swindon based theatre company aiming to create a space for young artists to grow and create new work! Debuting with an original musical 'I know the end' at the Swindon Arts Centre in 2024, Also There's Ghosts are developing several new works including new plays and musicals and even some new takes on existing shows!

Tickets FREE | Ages 16-25 | 11.00 a.m.

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a collection of brightly coloured folded pieces of fabric

Upcycling with Textiles

Upcycling and adding your own flare to clothing is a fabulous way to show off your personality! If you have a piece of clothing you'd like to upcycle by learning how to embroider, while using using fabric paint to add some patterns too.

Bring along a piece of clothing that could benefit from a new lease of life, and we will show you how to add some simple embroidery to this. Be creative with your clothes!
 
Drop In |  All ages | 2.00 p.m.
 
 
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Signal Festival: Heritage Tour

Join Town Garden Swindon's local historian for a 45 minute tour exploring the history of the Town Gardens through little-known secrets and stories that will bring this beautiful park to life.
 
Starts at 1.00 p.m.  Meet at the Westlecot Road gates at least 5 minutes before the tour time.
 
 
 
Tickets £2 | All ages
 
 
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A white man dressed in black sitting down and playing tabla drums

Indian Tabla and Vocal Percussion workshop with Jon Sterckx

This workshop will give an introduction to tabla - the main drum of the Northern Indian subcontinent.

Using the traditional vocal teaching methods, Jon will introduce the percussive languages of North Indian Tabla and South Indian Konnakol. Learn simple rhythmic vocal syllables and tongue twisting rhythmic phrases. Jon will also demonstrate how these vocal syllables translate to the tabla drums.

Drop in | Ages 7+ | 2.00 p.m. & 3.10 p.m.  

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Open Mic Performances

Throughout the day Signal Festival will present a host of song, dance and performance by the town's creative young people.

Register your interest in an Open Mic slot here.

Sign Up!
all female swing band

Swing Birds

Stop by the bandstand and come and listen to Swing Birds - an all-female big band from Swindon and the surrounding area! 

Performance from 3pm

This event is free and open to all - no tickets recquired 

Actor in young Queen Victoria costume in Town Gardens.

Queen Victoria Walkabout

Queen Victoria will be coming to visit Town Gardens to learn more about the people of Swindon during Signal Festival! Her Majesty will be travelling across Town Gardens to immerse and talk to passersby. She will be available for chatting, photo opportunities, and telling stories of the park's Victorian heritage.

Drop In | All ages | All Day

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