Penrith performers have come together to participate in a parade planned for a heralded music festival.
Members of Eden Dance and BJamba will be performing at the four-day Kendal Calling festival, taking their places in a spectacular lineup that includes big names such as Paolo Nutini, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, The Streets, Keane, Sugababes, and hundreds of other acts.
Over 55 dancers and percussionists from Penrith are gearing up for an extraordinary display in the festival's grand finale.
The event, brought to life by the renowned international Carnival specialists Global Grooves, will feature a large-scale parade brimming with vibrant colour and excitement.
The procession is set for the final day of the festival, which runs from August 1 to 4 at Lowther Deer Park and will involve over 220 performers from all over Cumbria.
The Eden Dance group noted for offering expert instruction in various dance styles and wellness activities like yoga, Pilates, and Zumba, has been enthusiastically preparing.
Their festival troupe, created in partnership with the Carlisle International Women's Group, prides itself on its range of diverse backgrounds and a wide variety of ages, ranging from 11 to 75.
BJamba, Penrith's leading samba band, is eagerly preparing for the festival as well.
Having recently celebrated its 20th year, the receptive community group is a cherished component of Cumbria's vibrant festival scene.
The up-and-coming parade will be a thrilling representation of the festival's theme, the high seas.
With a nautical Carnival queen leading the way atop her horse-drawn cart, the pageant will be divided into three main sections, filled with lavishly costumed dancers, giant walkabout puppets, and scores of flag bearers.
Leon Patel, CEO of Global Grooves, said: "Global Grooves specialises in bringing together diverse community groups to create professional level Carnival experiences.
"We know that BJamba and Eden Dance are going to bring bags of energy to help us deliver an unforgettable high seas finale for Kendal Calling.
"And it goes without saying that creating Carnival is about so much more than the final performance.
"When local people get together and collaborate through the arts, they grow and form connections that can reap rewards for years to come."
Josh Jackson, the leader of BJamba, said: "This collaboration, facilitated by Global Grooves, will be spectacular!
"We cannot wait to bring the carnival sound and colour to Kendal Calling."
Kelly McClelland, the founder of Eden Dance, said: "Our dance students and community dancers are all really looking forward to taking part in the grand finale at Kendal Calling.
"My students were already familiar with many of the Carnival dance moves, but have had to learn the parading element and connection to the live music, which they have found really fun.
"We have three sets of mothers and children taking part, which brings a lovely generational element."
Cathryn Peach-Barnes, creative director of Kendal Calling, said: "This is the largest Carnival that Kendal Calling will have staged with more artists and community members than ever before.
"We're so excited to be a platform for such excellent talent in Cumbria, coordinated by phenomenal long-term collaborators Global Grooves."
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