Can you help us welcome the world?

For three amazing days at the end of May, Luke Jerram's iconic 'Gaia' installation will be visiting Wirral...and we're looking for performers, cyclists and community groups to help us make it an unforgettable highlight of our year as Borough of Culture 2024.

The giant three-dimensional representation of our planet is coming to Birkenhead Park from 28 to 30 May, and Wirral Council is partnering with the internationally renowned outdoor arts organisation Walk the Plank to deliver an exciting programme inspired by Wirral’s unique location and heritage.

How can I get involved?

There are several themed opportunities to get involved with the Gaia programme:

Love Your Earth Day – Wednesday 29 MAY 2024
If gorilla gardening, allotmenteering, recycling, bee keeping, pollinator planting, re wilding, alternative power, climate change, low carbon are your interests we want to showcase you and your group for a demonstration and drop-in session in an out of this world setting. 

Short performance slots are available during the morning, afternoon and early evening to demonstrate your passion under Gaia. There are also places available at our environmental marketplace to share your work, engage locally and recruit support.   

In addition, we’d love to hear from artists who embed environmental sustainability into their work, to provide some free ‘have a go’ workshops suitable for families. This would be outside the visitor centre and a tent, chairs/table can be provided. (This would be a paid opportunity at £200 for an afternoon.)
Deadline for expressions of interest: Friday 3 May 2024

Dance Around The Globe – Wednesday 29 May
If Zumba, Mersey Morris, ballroom, Irish or Ukranian dance is your speciality, or yoga at sunrise or Qigong at dusk, boxercise, wrestling or another form of dance, we want to showcase you and your group for a demonstration or drop-in session.

We have a number of half hour performance slots available during the morning, afternoon and early evening.  
Deadline for expressions of interest: Friday 3 May 2024

Wirral Sings – Thursday 30 MAY 2024
We’d love to showcase the work and creativity of Wirral singer songwriters (single or duos) and choirs as part of Borough of Culture 2024. 

We’re inviting you to perform a song under Gaia and as part of a fire lit concert in an out of this world setting. We have a number of half hour performance slots during the morning, early afternoon and in the evening the opportunity to take part in very special celebratory concert.
Deadline for expressions of interest: Friday 3 May 2024

Calling All Cyclists and Cycling Groups
We would love you to play a part in Wirral’s incredible Borough of Culture celebrations by using your cycling skills in an out of this world event.

On Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30 May, Walk the Plank will be bringing their ingenious People Powered Rocket to Birkenhead Park to celebrate Love Your Earth Day and Wirral Sings.

You would need to be available from 11am to 6pm on Wed 29 and 2pm until 7pm on Thurs 30 May to help pedal our Stephenson’s rocket replica carrying six pantomime horses around the park. Refreshments will be provided and travel expenses can be reimbursed.
Deadline for expressions of interest: Friday 10 May 2024

Calling All Aspiring Actors
We are looking for a group of amateur actors and or dancers to take on the roles of six Victorian Pantomime Horses who are traveling on our replica Stephenson’s Rocket around Birkenhead Park on 29 and 30 May 2024.

You will be entertaining visitors as part of a programme animating Luke Jerram’s amazing Gaia earth installation. We will need to meet with you for a pre-event costume fitting at a suitable time. Refreshments and travel expenses will be provided on event days.
Deadline for expressions of interest: Friday 10 May 2024

Important information

• Please note that performance slots/spaces on the programme are limited so we may not be able to involve all those who express interest.
• There are no changing facilities or rehearsal spaces available so anyone wanting to get involved will need to arrive ready to perform.
• Any groups with members under 18 years of age will need to arrange the appropriate licences, permissions and chaperoning required.
• You will be notified whether we are able to allocate you a performance slot / space.
   

Get in touch

For further information about how you might join us for this amazing day in an amazing Borough of Culture year email: Bev@walktheplank.co.uk

Please indicate which opportunity you are interested in being involved with and what time slots you would be available.