The second annual Bangor Culture Day takes place this Saturday, as part of the 2015 Open House Festival programme.

From 12 noon to 5pm, the seafront area of Bangor will erupt with a kaleidoscope of cultural activity, from live music, to spoken word, to dancing, to visual art – and it’s all free. There’ll be craft making, vintage stalls, artisan food, flash mobs, parkour jumping, storytelling, singing lessons – and even free recording sessions on offer.

“One of our messages for this year’s festival has been that Bangor itself is the star of the show, with events taking place in so many unique and beautiful venues,” says Open House’s Culture Day Co-ordinator, Sharon Matchett. “Culture Day will reiterate that message by giving a host of creative local people the opportunity to showcase their talents on their own doorstep.”

This year, all of the activity will be centred around The Hub at Project 24 on Queens Parade. Highlights will include the first public performances from the Open House Festival Choir, which has been rehearsing for the past six weeks under the guidance of singing tutor, Katie Richardson of Katie and the Carnival and Goldie Fawn. There’ll also be big band sounds, traditional music, busking, and a DJ set from the Bangor Vinyl Collective.

You’ll be able to participate in screen printing and paint bombing workshops, see bee keeping in action, take part in tea dances, line dancing and get a swing dancing lesson – and much, much more.

“We’re still putting the finishing touches to the programme,” says Sharon, “but there’ll be something happening virtually every minute of day from noon to five pm. So people can come down to the Hub area on Bangor seafront at any time and know they’ll see something!”

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham, says, “Culture Day Bangor will be a great celebration of arts and culture showcasing the talent of our area. Ards and North Down Borough Council is pleased to be supporting Open House Festival for this fantastic and free Culture Day.”

Open House Festival Bangor 2015 is supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Tourism NI. For more information about the festival go to: www.openhousefestival.com.