First ever Grey Street Gala in Newcastle set to 'celebrate the street's transformation'
20 performances will take place on Grey Street this Saturday to celebration the completion of works to modernise the Georgian street.
by Daniel Hall · ChronicleLiveThe transformation of "one of the brightest jewels in the city's crown" will be celebrated this weekend with the first ever Grey Street Gala.
Original plans dubbed as "confused" were ultimately aimed at a total pedestrianisation of the Georgian city centre street, but these were shelved when Coun Nick Kemp assumed leadership of the council in 2022. Work got under way in January last year and its completion is set to be celebrated with the Gala on Saturday.
Widened boulevard-style footpaths have been installed with the aim of creating extra space for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Seating with images and information about businesses which historically traded on the street are intended to form part of a welcoming space alongside planted rain gardens.
It is hoped that the gardens will boost biodiversity in the area by creating an ideal environment for pollinators, while reducing the risk of flooding. To celebrate the works' completion, NE1 and Newcastle City Council have teamed up to deliver the city's first ever Grey Street Gala.
The Gala will see more than 20 performances by a host of cultural talent from across the region take place throughout the day on the street; including classical and opera music, magicians and mime artists, and live artists painting on the street. The plinth by the Theatre Royal will host a range of the shows, whilst others will be pop-up performances in unexpected locations on the street.
The public are also invited to get involved in the celebrations by taking part in an architectural photography masterclass or observing live ice sculpting on the street.
Coun Karen Kilgour, the new leader of Newcastle City Council, said: "As well as celebrating the improvements to our beautiful Grey Street, the Grey Street Gala is a way of thanking businesses and the public for their cooperation during Grey Street’s transformation. We can’t wait to see both local people and visitors to the city enjoying the newly transformed area, celebrating the work’s completion and seeing how the changes contribute to the city’s sustainability and economic growth in the long term."
Grey Street Gala will take place from 11am - 4.30pm on Saturday, October 12.
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