This bank holiday weekend, we take the art out of the centre and into Reading (and then back again) with events celebrating the history of the Rising Sun and “The Story of Reading” – May’s theme for the Year of Culture.

First up, this Saturday we take over Reading town centre for A Landscape of Charms and Machines. The event, which starts at 12 noon, will be a spectacular parade of giant puppets (the Chalk Giant, on loan from Simon Chatterton, and the Flint Giant, built by our very own volunteers!) a marching band (the fabulous Tongues of Fire), and a costumed procession which will make its way along Broad Street. This will be a spectacular celebration of the hidden history and secret landscapes of Reading and will give life to the ground upon which Reading is built.

Then, at 8:30pm, we welcome Tongues of Fire back into the centre for an evening of riotous reeds, bold brass, and all around good times.

On Sunday, musician, historian, and Rising Sun original Tim Hill will present Hidden Histories, a talk celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Rising Sun Arts Centre and Reading's history of alternative arts spaces, experimental music and arts worlds.

And if that’s not enough, Bank Holiday Monday sees us head west to Prospect Park for Reading Carnival. Again, our volunteers have been working hard making costumes with Carnival Artist Herman Philbert and building a float (a giant model of Reading past and present) coordinated by Artist Martin West. A massive day out for everyone!

And after that, we’ll really need another long weekend to recover!