A famous writer once said, if you can’t go away, the next best thing is to re-imagine where you are. The Common Lands theme is a chance for us all to experiment with ways of seeing the world differently. Place is where we find common ground and by inviting people to see this magical isle through fresh eyes, we’ll connect to one another and the rest of the world. We cannot wait!
Join tour guide Simon Cole and performance poet Jessica Taggart Rose to uncover the magical isle of Portland - a place of secret histories, unlikely stories and curious crannies.
Join tour guide Simon Cole and performance poet Jessica Taggart Rose to uncover the magical isle of Portland – a place of secret histories, unlikely stories and curious crannies
You’ll connect with the hopes and dreams of local people who’ve co-created the performance and bring your own perspective along on this interactive walk. The Promenade of Opes and Dreams will begin at a different location at 11am each day of the festival. There’ll be pop-up performances and optional audience participation as we playfully explore the idea of Common Lands in a hop-on, hop-off walking tour.
Promenade of Opes and Dreams: Love Portland
Summary:
A performative interactive walk led by Promenade exploring the theme of Common Lands via Castletown, the Merchant’s Incline, and beyond
Details:
Date: Thursday 9 September
Starts: Near the D-Day Centre and Museum/Agincare building in Castletown, meet outside by the cannon
Ends: The Royal Breakwater Hotel (opposite the starting point)
Difficulty: Challenging (steep incline, narrow paths), approximately 3 mile round trip
Duration: 1.5 hours
Join tour guide Simon Cole and performance poet Jessica Taggart Rose on the first of their interactive walking tours to uncover the magical isle of Portland – a place of secret histories, unlikely stories and curious crannies.
Climbing the Merchant’s Incline, we’ll take in views of Chesil Beach, the breakwater and the port below with Verne Citadel above us. We’ll explore the idea of common lands, visiting permaculture allotments and the Royal Naval Cemetery.
You’ll connect with the hopes and dreams of local people who’ve co-created the performance and bring your own perspective along on this interactive walk.
Promenade of Opes and Dreams: Castles and Cove
Summary:
A performative interactive walk led by Promenade exploring multiple histories, art and the pull of the sea around Church Ope Cove and beyond
Details:
Date: Friday 10 September
Starts: Portland Museum, meet at the front of the building
Ends: Portland Museum (option to continue 0.5m to White Stone’s Art Cafe, Easton)
Difficulty: Challenging (steep steps, narrow paths), approximately 3 mile round trip
Duration: 1.5 hours
Join tour guide Simon Cole and performance poet Jessica Taggart Rose on the second of their interactive walking tours to uncover the magical isle of Portland – a place of secret histories, unlikely stories and curious crannies.
We’ll walk the trails to Church Ope cove, the ruins of St Andrew’s Church and the ‘pirate’s graveyard’, Rufus Castle and Pennsylvania Castle Estate. We’ll think about multiple histories, the pull of the sea and how art interacts with the landscape as we explore this wild and beautiful part of the island.
You’ll connect with the hopes and dreams of local people who’ve co-created the performance and bring your own perspective along on this interactive walk.
Promenade of Opes and Dreams: Nature of Stone
Summary:
A performative interactive walk led by Promenade at the top of Portland exploring the local importance of stone, nature and human endeavours
Details:
Date: Saturday 11 September
Starts and ends: Olympic Rings stone sculpture, opposite Heights Hotel
Difficulty: Accessible and flat, approximately 2 mile round trip. Wheelchair, mobility scooter, and pram accessible.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Join tour guide Simon Cole and performance poet Jessica Taggart Rose on the third of their interactive walking tours to uncover the magical isle of Portland – a place of secret histories, unlikely stories and curious crannies.
Starting on top of Portland, we’ll visit the ‘Memory Stones – stone circle’ and think about how stone has shaped the land and people, just as people shape stone. Taking in views of Chesil beach, the breakwater and Portland’s prisons we’ll look at nature’s role in the past, present and future of Portland. The Olympic rings, war memorial and high battery remind of human endeavours.
You’ll connect with the hopes and dreams of local people who’ve co-created the performance and bring your own perspective along on this interactive walk.
Promenade of Opes and Dreams: Opes and Dreams
Summary:
A performative interactive walk led by Promenade themed on community and the future, taking in the Opes, the Walled Garden and Chesil Beach
Details:
Date: Sunday 12 September
Starts: Frontline Coffee
Ends: Quiddles Café
Difficulty: Accessible and flat, approximately 2 miles start to finish. Wheelchair, mobility scooter, and pram accessible – great for families
Duration: 1.5 hours
Join tour guide Simon Cole and performance poet Jessica Taggart Rose on the fourth and last of their interactive walking tours to uncover the magical isle of Portland – a place of secret histories, unlikely stories and curious crannies.
Coffee, community and the opes and dreams we hold in common are the themes for this accessible stroll, taking in some of our favourite Portland Opes. We’ll pass the Man Shed, see Chesil Beach and stop at the Walled Garden to write postcards from the future.
You’ll connect with the hopes and dreams of local people who’ve co-created the performance and bring your own perspective along on this interactive walk.
Thurs 09 – Sun 12 Sept 11:00 daily
Various locations daily during the festival at 11am see details below
