Night of Festivals 16 - 18 September 2010

From 16-18 September, Old Market Square, Nottingham will host the vibrant sights and sounds of exciting Latin American culture, with a unique, free to attend festival created by ArtReach: Night of Festivals 2010 – celebrating the Bicentenary of Latin American independence and the centenary of the Mexican Revolution.

The festivities begin in Old Market Square on Thursday 16th at 4pm with moving image by artists from Mexico, Brazil and Uruguay on the Festival Big Screen and a special installation recalling the sounds and sights of Brazilian Festival. The dynamic live music stage, featuring a whole host of contemporary Latin American bands, opens with the sounds of Cuban and Brazilian beats from Rhythms of the City. Festival highlights include an extraordinary carnival procession with colourful and extravagant characters from the Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations (starting from Old Market Square at 6.15pm on Friday 17th and parading the city streets) and surprise performances throughout the day on Saturday 18th, including performances by Paraiso School of Samba, the foremost samba troupe outside Rio!

International composer and film-maker Michael Nyman premiers his Night of Festivals 2010 commission, shot in Mexico, in The Space at Nottingham Contemporary and the New Art Exchange showcase a special exhibition of photographic portraits by John Perivolaris in support of Night of Festivals 2010.

Night of Festivals 2010 is created and produced by ArtReach, working with Nottingham City Council, City Arts, Nottingham Contemporary and New Art Exchange with support from Arts Council England, Igniting Ambition (through the Legacy Trust UK), Nottingham City Council and the Brazilian Embassy. The project is Part-Financed by the European Union.

Night of Festivals 2010 has been granted the Inspire Mark the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme. The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.