Festive Derby comes back to light next month with the return of a live stage show at a new city centre location to mark the official Christmas lights switch on.

This year, all the action will happen on a bespoke stage outside the Council House in Corporation Street on Saturday 13 November, due to the ongoing programme at the Derby Loves You venue at Derby Market Place.

Corporation Street will be closed to traffic, so everyone will have the space to Do the Right Thing for Derby and distance from each other while they enjoy the entertainment, as well as getting a better view of the Christmas lights as they are switched on!

Final details are being put in place for the show, which will be hosted by Smooth Radio and feature a popular music act, preview this year’s Derby pantomime Sleeping Beauty – and all the family entertainment you can expect from the free switch-on event with some well-known local faces.

Starting at 4pm, a parade will weave its way from The Spot and through St Peter’s Street, Cornmarket and Derby Market Place to the stage. It will be led by the Derby Season of Light community lantern parade, made up of adults and children with bright and beautiful lanterns created in workshops led by Surtal Arts.

At the head of the parade will be professional artist Stephanie Sian Coley with her show-stopping lantern sculpture, which she will create at the Museum of Making during the Season of Light. Traditional Dhol drummers will sound the parade.

Entertainment will start onstage in Corporation Street at 3.30pm, with the show ending with the grand finale of the Christmas lights switch on at 6pm.

The event will be produced by Derby LIVE, Derby City Council’s events arm, with the support of media partner Smooth Radio and CityFibre.

Read Easy Derby & District is a charitable organisation recently set up to help adults living Derby City, Erewash, Amber Valley and South Derbyshire to learn to read.

Their team of dedicated and friendly Reading Coaches work with Readers to build their confidence and their ability to read independently. Starting in the Autumn, these sessions will be 1:1 at a time and place to suit both Reader and Coach, and completely free of charge.
 
As Sara Martin, Leader of Read Easy Derby & District, says, “When people can read they can register with a GP, understand food labels and prescriptions, find work and help their children with their schoolwork. The impact is huge and benefits the entire community.”
 
Who can learn? Adults who want to learn to read or who’d like to build their confidence with reading. It’s a flexible, confidential scheme, enabling Readers to learn quietly and comfortably at their own pace with their own Reading Coach.
 
What books will they use? Read Easy Coaches and their Readers use the phonics-based Turning Pages manuals* as their main resource. The programme also includes lots of reading books written for adults. * Published by Shannon Trust
 
Where do they meet? All our reading sessions take place in public yet discreet venues. There will always be other people around but Readers won’t be overlooked.
 
How long will it take? Reading sessions last half an hour and take place twice a week. Some people complete the course in as little as a year, while others take more than two years. The important thing is that everyone can learn at their own pace without feeling rushed.
 
“Since learning to read, I have gained the confidence to read in public and ask questions. In restaurants, I can make my own choices and not have to copy someone else’s.” Alison – Reader, Read Easy Winchester.
 
If you’ve been inspired to take action, here’s how you can get involved:
 
If you or someone you know would like help with their reading then please contact Marianne at derbycoordinator@readeasy.org.uk
 
If you’re a local business who’d like to support the charity to train 12 Reading Coaches then please contact: Jill at derbyfundraising@readeasy.org.uk
 
If you would like to offer them a venue then please contact Pauline at derbycoordinator2@readeasy.org.uk
 
Follow them on Social media for the latest news:
Facebook:  @ReadEasyDerby
Twitter:  @ReadEasyDerby
See their website for more information: readeasy.org.uk/groups/derby/
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​The Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at children aged from 4 to 11 years and is designed for all reading interests and abilities. Younger children can also join.

• The Challenge is to read 6 books.
• It starts on Saturday 10 July and finishes on Saturday 4 September.
• Every child who joins will get a free Wild World Heroes poster which they use to keep track of their progress and rate the books they've read.
• There are stickers to collect and two other incentives  -  a paper game and a fridge magnet - depending on progress 
• Children who complete the Challenge will get a certificate 
• There's an extra challenge if children want it - they can read a further four books

Join the Wild World Heroes for the Summer Reading Challenge and discover how you can make a difference to the environment too. Teaming up with WWF, this will be a very special nature-themed Challenge that will inspire you to stand up for the planet!

Wild World Heroes will feature amazing books, awesome rewards, and plenty of ideas for taking care of our environment. Are you excited to join the #WildWorldHeroes this summer?

Find out more on the Derby Libraries Website:
​www.inderby.org.uk/libraries/childrens-and-family-activities/summer-reading-challenge/

Déda reopens for Déda | Academy, the regarded programme of dance classes for children and young people from 19 April 2021.

With Covid-19 safety measures in place, Déda’s friendly, experienced team will guide young people through their dance journeys in Déda’s beautiful, fully equipped studios.

Déda’s in person and online class programmes will begin on the week commencing
Monday 19 April 2021. Prices begin from £3.50 per class. Tickets are on sale now and
can be purchased from https://www.deda.uk.com/classes.

IN PERSON classes for children:
Movers and Shakers is a fun and creative introduction to dance for 2- 5 year olds and their parent or guardians.
Street Jazz is for Children aged 4 - 11
Ballet and Contemporary Kids (4 - 7) and Juniors (7 - 11) classes
Youth Company Class offers 10 - 19 year olds the chance to explore creative dance techniques.

ONLINE Classes:
Illuminate brings together disabled people aged 10 -25 years to dance safely on Zoom.

For adults, Déda continues to offer an online programme of #DerbyWell drop in classes including ONLINE: Ballet to Make You Feel Better, ONLINE: Yoga with Marie and ONLINE: Rock the Hoop (hula-hoop dance class). Weekly Wellbeing Wednesday classes for adults will give participants the chance to try a different style each week.

Déda’s building including the CUBE café | bar are currently closed to the public with the exception of hires, residencies and University of Derby’s BA degree programme.

Check www.deda.uk.com/news for the latest updates.

On 27 May – 22 August 2021, Derby Museums in partnership with Wild in Art, are bringing a flock of 30 colourful and unique 5ft rams on a trail around the city of Derby.
The ram sculpture is based on the mythical Derby Ram from the 18th Century song, which according to legend was ten yards high with enormous horns and a huge flowing fleece.

Each ram has been designed and decorated by a different well-known or emerging artist, creating a multi-coloured spectacle throughout the city. The trail will appeal to young and old alike and encourages both residents and visitors to have fun exploring and be inspired and enchanted by the sculptures. The Ram Trail is perfect for a walking tour of Derby city centre.
At the end of the trail each of the rams will be auctioned off to raise funds for Derby Museums’ Endowment Campaign, helping to secure the future of Derby Museums for everyone for years to come. Every pound raised at the auction will be matched pound for pound by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
https://derbyramtrail.org/

After a year of disruption to live events, Derby’s famous Hannells Darley Park Concert returns on Sun 29 Aug and for the first time, it will be the highlight of a Bank Holiday weekend of outdoor family entertainment. 
 
Kickstarting the weekend on Fri 27 Aug is Classic Ibiza, a celebration of the sounds of the Balearics for all the family. Then on Sat 28 Aug Darley Park’s natural amphitheater becomes an outdoor cinema for screenings of Frozen 2 and Sing-a-long-a The Greatest Showman. All events will be run in line with the guidelines in place for live outdoor entertainment following the COVID pandemic. 
 
Classical music and fireworks return on Sun 29 Aug as this year’s Hannells Darley Park Concert celebrates 300 years of Derby’s Silk Mill – the world’s first factory – as it prepares to re-open as the Museum of Making. There will also be a special tribute to the NHS & Key workers as part of the programme. The event is sponsored by Hannells Estate Agents, Flint Bishop Solicitors, HUUB, Mortgage Advice Bureau, Stratstone BMW and MINI Derby and WDS. 
 
The Hannells Darley Park Concert is one of the UK’s biggest outdoor classical concerts, and one of Derby’s favourite summer events. Presented by Derby LIVE, Grammy-nominated and RPS award-winning orchestra Sinfonia Viva, supported by Rolls-Royce will perform innovative and historically important music inspired by the theme of engineering, science and technology, ending with a spectacular firework finale. 
 
Marianne Barraclough - Deputy Chief Executive, said: “Sinfonia Viva are very excited to be returning to Darley Park for another show stopping year at this celebrated event. We will be performing well known classics, beautiful stirring numbers and quirky pieces that might take you by surprise. 2021’s theme is built around the exciting reopening of Derby Silk Mill and the celebration of Derby’s 300-year history of technological innovation. Expect fireworks both musical and literal this year, as the orchestra returns in inspired form.” 

After a very successful collaboration over the last two years the concert has once again joined forces with BBC Radio Derby. This year some of Derby’s favourite radio presenters will be taking to the stage, hosting the Concert and entertaining the crowds.  
  
Once again, The Hannells Darley Park Concert is supported by local businesses which have the city at their heart. These are: Hannells, the family-run, award-winning estate agents; UK top 200 law firm Flint Bishop Solicitors; HUUB, specialists in performance wetsuits and apparel as worn by Olympic medallists; Stratstone BMW and MINI, Derby, part of the UK’s leading luxury automotive retailer; and WDS, suppliers of managed print services and document management solutions to businesses for 16 years. 
 
Tickets are on sale now for just £4 for adults and £1 for under 16s when you book before 31 July. After this, tickets will cost £6 for adults and £3.50 for under 16s when booked in advance. On the day, tickets will cost from £8.50 for adults and £3.50 for under 16s. So a family of 2 adults and 2 children under 16 can make huge savings by booking early. For more details, see derbylive.co.uk. 

Join the Classic Ibiza party on Fri 27 Aug as the Urban Soul Orchestra, DJ Goldierocks and a host of critically acclaimed vocalists bring a heady blend of Balearic beats to life in the beautiful grounds of Darley Park. All the family are guaranteed a night to remember. Gates open at 4pm with a warm-up DJ at 6pm, the first Sundowner set at 7.45pm, and a second Dance set with lasers at 9.15pm. Tickets are priced from £41 to £52 with under 16s tickets priced £22 to £27 and under 5s going free. 
 
The heady sounds of Ibiza give way to fun family films on Sat 28 Aug. In Frozen 2 (U), follow the continuing adventures of sisters Anna and Elsa, and their friends Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, as Elsa faces a dangerous but remarkable journey. Gates open at 12 noon with the film starting at 1.45pm. Tickets are £14, and free for the under 2s with customers able to save up to £12 on a family ticket. 

Look out ‘cause here it comes… from the producers of Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music and Sing-a-long-a GREASE, comes the smash hit film The Greatest Showman (PG), with lyrics on screen that everyone can’t stop singing. Cheer on Hugh Jackman, lust after Zac Efron, and sing your heart out with our live host who will teach you some dance moves and show you how to use your free props bag. Please note this is a screening of the film, not a live stage show. Gates open at 4pm with a pre-show warm up at 5pm. The film starts at 5.30pm. Tickets cost £18 for adults and £16 for under 16s with under 2s going free. 
 
Book tickets for all events online at derbylive.co.uk or call the Sales and Information Centre on 01332 255800.  You can also book and save with the Derby LIVE LIVEsaver ticket deal – book all 4 and save £20%, book 3 and save 15% or 2 and save 10%.This great offer can also be booked alongside your tickets for Pantomime Sleeping Beauty. 

Derby Libraries’ Rhymetimes are back in a new format. The popular nursery rhyme sessions for pre-school children and their parents and carers are back as a series of online videos, created by Derby Theatre, to watch and follow at home.
 
Until the pandemic, Rhymetimes were popular events in Derby’s libraries, but have been unable to continue while restrictions remain in place. Because reading to children and sharing rhymes is so important to children’s language development, Derby Libraries approached the theatre to create professional and engaging online Rhymetimes.
 
Seven videos, each featuring three rhymes and songs, have been filmed against the stunning backdrop of The Little Mermaid, the theatre’s recent Christmas show which was shown online.
 
They can be viewed on the Rhymetimes page on the Derby Libraries website, and on the InDerby YouTube channel.
 
From Wind the Bobbin Up to A Sailor Went to Sea Sea Sea, and Twinkle Twinkle to Old Macdonald, babies and toddlers will love joining in with infectious rhymes, fun sounds and lively actions, performed by Ivan Stott and April Nerissa Hudson.
 
Each of the seven videos feature three engaging and well-known rhymes, complete with open captions. They also include an inspirational quote from a renowned author, to encourage parents and carers to help their children enjoy stories and reading from an early age, and a snippet of information about library services and what’s on offer for families.
 
As well as being a fun activity for young children to share with their parents or carers, reading to children and singing rhymes with them immediately improves their life chances. The Book Trust, provider of the national Bookstart Scheme, says: “Repetition of rhymes and singing supports language and literacy development. Children will take comfort from rhymes when they are repeated and become familiar. Through rhymes, children naturally learn essential skills for communicating, such as turn-taking and joining in.”
 
Derby Libraries now plans to seek funding, in partnership with Derby Theatre, to create more online content for children.
 
Film 1
Quote: “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” - Emilie Buchwald
Hickory Dickory Dock
Little Miss Muffet
Wind the Bobbin Up
 
Film 2 
Quote: “There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates loot on Treasure Island.” - Walt Disney
My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean
Row Row Row your Boat
A Sailor Went to Sea Sea Sea
 
Film 3
Quote: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr Seuss: I Can Read with my Eyes Shut!
Old Macdonald
Doctor Foster
These are Grandma’s Glasses
 
Film 4 
Quote: “When I say to a parent, ‘read to a child,’ I don’t want it to sound like medicine. I want it to sound like chocolate.” - Mem Fox
Five Currant Buns
Pat a Cake
The Queen of Hearts
Jelly on the Plate
 
Film 5
Quote: “If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.’’- J K Rowling
Five Little Monkeys
Ring a Ring o’ Roses
Teddy Teddy Bear
 
Film 6
Quote: “A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.” - Neil Gaiman​
See the Little Rabbit Sleeping
Car Car
Twinkle Twinkle
 
Film 7
Quote: “Books and doors are the same thing. You open them, and you go through into another world.” – Jeanette Winterson
Dingle Dangle Scarecrow
Grand Old Duke of York
If You’re Happy and You Know It 

Let your children unleash their creativity! Seven well-known children’s authors have come together to make videos for children from the very young, to early teens. They can get rapping, drawing, and making their own poems with Authors Abroad who are an organisation of well-respected children’s authors, illustrators and poets!

The videos are free and are available to watch on the website and on the InDerby YouTube channel from Sat 20 Feb to Sat 17 Apr.

The videos include:

Chris White is an illustrator and poet, who creates work that is ‘wild, zany and yucky, and who also delves into difficult ideas about what is and isn’t “normal” and how individuality counts’. Chris talks about his career, shares his artwork and poetry, and leads a cartoon and poetry writing session. Ages 5 to 11.

Kev Payne is an author, illustrator, poet and primary school teacher. Kev’s first book was ‘B is for Blobfish’ a brilliant book featuring ‘unusual and unloved animals’. Kev will bring his experience and creativity to Derby Libraries to lead some amazing sessions to create action rhymes, riddles and rap, and teach children how to draw all sorts of animals! Ages 5 to 11.

Michael De Souza, author of the classic book ‘RastaMouse’, creator of the CBBC character of the same name plus band mates Scratch and Zoomer who together form Da Easy Crew. Michael will delight our families with a brilliant reading of his amazing picture books and rhymes. Ages 3 and above.

Dominic Berry who is an internationally award-winning poet and Glastonbury Festival Poet in Residence (2017). Dom will give a lively performance of his book 'When Trolls Try To Eat Your Goldfish' and share his skills and passion with a poetry writing workshop. Ages 5 to 11.

Karl Nova is a poet, author, and hip-hop artist who has won the Ruth Rendell award for services to children’s literature. Karl will talk about his amazing career writing and performing, explore the links between rap and poetry, and deliver a workshop on how to write different forms of poetry. Ages 7 to 13.

Ed Boxall, poet, illustrator, performer, educator and musician. Ed will give a brilliant presentation on reading and performance and share some of his writing and crafting tips. Ages 7 to 13.

Nicholas Allan, Bafta award winner, author and illustrator of international bestselling picture books. Children and families can enjoy a filmed performance of Nicholas reading his picture books, originally recorded at the Isle of Wight Festival. Ages 3 to 8.

School’s out, and parents everywhere, including those at InDerby, are looking for ways to give our children a break from home learning and spending so much time on their screens.

While they don’t claim to have all the answers, they have found some great activities for all ages to keep them occupied. Some of these may start on the PC, but should spark their imaginations enough to get them going offline!

Get stargazing with Alvaston Park Friends and Derby Parks. Although the Friends’ annual event couldn’t go ahead this year because of Covid-19, they teamed up with Derby and District Astronomical Society and Derby Museums to create some inspiring videos to encourage you to take a fresh look at the night sky from the comfort of your own home. There are also star-themed craft activities to do at home. All the links can be found on the Alvaston Park Friends website.

Videos include how to use Stellarium, free-to-download software where you can learn about the stars and how to find them in the night sky, and videos about the stars associated with each day of the week and the myths surrounding them.

Back in the warmth of your home, have a look at Derby Museums’ website for some online craft activities inspired by some of the objects in the museums, each with a video to show you how. On Sat 13 Feb it’s a Valentine’s Day make, to create a gift for someone special or just for the love of it. Add some much-needed brightness to winter with the Colour Play session on Thu 18 Feb.
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​Between 6-14 February the CPRE The countryside charity want you to help them map the nation’s view of the night sky by counting the number of stars you can see in the constellation of Orion. Will you be taking part?

This year will be a little different. They’ll be asking everyone to take part from home. You can take part from your garden, balcony, doorstep or even bedroom window!

Dark and starry skies are a special part of our countryside. Nothing beats looking upwards to see velvety blackness, with twinkling constellations as far as the eye can see. But many of us can’t see the stars, especially if we live in or near a town or city.

Taking part is simple. All you have to do is look to the night sky on a clear night, count the number of stars you can see within the Orion constellation, and submit your count on their website. Sign up on their website to take part ​https://www.cpre.org.uk/