A FESTIVAL featuring sport, art, music, gaming and more has taken over Southampton today.
Re:Claim will be made up of events across the city centre to bolster the bid to be named UK City of Culture 2025.
Organised by GO! Southampton, it takes place on Saturday September 25 and most activities will be free of charge.
Arboria Luminarium
It is hoped the festival will become an annual event.
Here's everything you need to know:
City of Culture
Southampton is battling it out with a record number of cities to be crowned City of Culture 2025.
A total of 20 places from across the UK have put in a bid for the prestigious title, but city bosses say they remain hopeful and say this year is "Southampton's moment".
Southampton City Centre
It is hoped Re:Claim will help reel in the title.
Who is behind the festival?
GO! Southampton, the Business Improvement District for the city centre, is collaborating with local partners such as Skate Southampton, Solent Showcase Gallery, SoCo Music Project, Hip Hop Heritage, ZoieLogic Dance Theatre, Westquay and more.
Giles Semper, executive director of GO! Southampton, hailed the new festival as a unique event that will showcase the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
He said: "After such a long period in which we have had to hide away, Re:Claim will remind us all how much happiness a vibrant city centre can bring.
"I wish I could say that the festival was our idea, but this is not the case. We brought together some key cultural ‘movers and shakers’ at God’s House Tower in 2020 and they proposed to do something that showcased the city’s creative talent using different parts of the city centre as their platform."
Giles Semper, Executive of GO! Southampton, outside RETRO cafe on Bedford Place
Where will the events be?
Activities will stretch from Carlton Place down to Westquay Esplanade, with events planned to take place in Guildhall Square, Above Bar Street, Bargate and the city’s popular parks, East Park and Palmerston Park.
There will be live music, dance, gaming, street art, skating and street football.
While audiences can choose to stand around and watch, they can also get involved and take part in activities on the day.
What's on? A guide
Here is a list of every event, performance and activity you can expect to see on Saturday. All run from 10am to 6pm unless stated otherwise:
Arboria Luminarium
A luminarium is a maze of winding paths and soaring domes where natural forms, Islamic architecture, Archimedean solids and Gothic cathedrals meld into a mix of design and engineering.
The Arboria Luminarium by Architects of Air is inspired by the nature found within the city centre parks.
Where: East Park
Arboria Luminarium
BBC Music Introducing Stage
The BBC Music Introducing Solent stage will be on The Esplanade, Westquay.
Artists include Caity Baser, Calum Lintott and Mauvey.
Where: The Esplanade, Westquay
Westquay Street Art Activation
Street Jam 2021 has teamed up with Westquay Shopping Centre to commission four permanent artworks.
Ricky Also, My Dog Sighs, Samo White and Elnoart will be painting live over September 24 and September 25.
Where: The 'Canyon' - Level 3 The Esplanade, Westquay
Jerk Jam Soundclash
The popular Jerk Jam festival brings it’s brand new concept, Jerk Jam Soundclash to Re:Claim.
Jerk Jam Soundclash is a performance based ‘battle’, painting a picture of the heritage of Caribbean-influenced music.
Where: Palmerston Park Bandstand
Pop Up Pump Track
Bike-based fun for riders of all ages and experience, including a team of ex-pros who will teach you how to pump the bike to maintain speed around the track without pedalling.
Where: East Park
BMX Stock photo
SoCo Music Project Stage
The SoCo Music Project stage is one of four container stages located throughout the city centre.
Where: Above Bar pedestrian precinct
Street Jam
Southampton Solent University’s Showcase Gallery brings back live street art with Street Jam Live 2021.
Where: Guildhall Square
Street Jam
Slamma4
Skate Southampton present #Slamma4 at Re:Claim – a day of exciting Skateboarding action and ‘have a go’ lessons.
Where: Guildhall Square
SLAMMA4
Hip Hop Heritage Stage
Southampton Hip Hop Heritage are proud to present this showcase of the city’s talented DJs, MCs and dancers.
Where: Guildhall Square
Freestyle Panna Football
Showcase your silky skills as Kings and Queens Coaching Academy present a full day of freestyle football displays, skills and tricks workshops.
Where: Above Bar Street
Gaming Hub by toob
From modern gaming to retro classics, there will be dozens of gaming stations to be played in the free toob Gaming Marquee and on the two floors of the toob double decker bus.
Where: The Esplanade, Westquay
Video games stock photo
Re:Claim Merch
Get creative and design your own free Re:Claim street wear.
Where: Westquay Level Two
Our Big Day Out Stage
An eclectic mix of house, disco, drum and bass, and electronica from the city’s thriving underground scene.
Where: Carlton Place
FuzzyLogic from ZoieLogic Dance Theatre
Performances at 10.50am, 12.50pm, 2.50pm.
ZoieLogic Dance Theatre’s nationally acclaimed male youth dance company, FuzzyLogic, hit the stage.
Where: Above Bar Pedestrian Precinct
FuzzyLogic
Born to Protest
Performances at 11.45am and 1.45pm.
Born to Protest aims to dismantle stereotypes about the black community.
Where: Above Bar Pedestrian Precinct
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