Grimm’s Gathering set to be a festival of colour

“Grimm’s Gathering” will be hosted by Grimm and Co at their pop-up space in Linger Longer Lane in the town centre to celebrate stories of all shapes and sizes and will feature theatre, music, dance, and performances, workshops and masterclasses for all ages with leading musicians, authors and artists.

Supported by Rotherham Children’s Capital of Culture 2025 bid, the events will take place between 10am and 4pm on Tuesday, May 31, Wednesday June 1, and Saturday, June 4.

BBC Radio 2 Folk award-nominated Rosie Hood will host music-making sessions for little ones aged up to seven.

Older lyricists, singers and rappers age 13-plus will be able to join a masterclass to refine their vocal talent, lyric-writing and performance skills with support from music industry professionals such as singer-songwriter Sarah Jay Hawley who has sung with Massive Attack.

“Drop in and make” activities will be available for all ages, including puppets with Patrick Amber, carnival-inspired headdresses and masks with artists from the UK Centre of Carnival Arts, and pop-up cards with “paper engineer” Alex Bennett.  

Artists Trish O’Shea, Mooney Wainwright and Karen Hall want to hear stories of Rotherham and how people made it their home.

Theatre for the under sevens will feature “grumpy crabs and owl babies” and there will be events to “get your write on” with published authors and writers, including Jenni Spangler, LD Lapinski and journalist Susan Downer.

Deborah Bullivant, founding director of Grimm and Co, said: “We are delighted to be able to celebrate stories of all shapes in this exciting festival, and can’t wait to welcome families and young people from across Yorkshire and beyond.  

“With music, dance, theatre, writing and creativity, there is something for everyone to enjoy, young and old, and we want to invite all our communities to celebrate in their great town of Rotherham.”

Tickets are free and can be booked at www.grimmandco.co.uk/gathering.