News
Heritage Open Day
Saturday 11 September, 11.00am – 4.00pm - Free admission
This years Heritage Open Day promises to be a bit special as the Apollo Pavilion Community Association and Durham County Council’s Arts Team join forces with Dora Frankel Dance Company to offer a fun day out for all the family.
Tour guides from the Apollo Pavilion Community Association will be on hand during the Heritage Open Day to explain the fascinating history of this site.
Bring your camera along and join photographer Paul Spooner who will be selecting his favourite photographs taken by visitors on the day to go display at The Pavilion, Halford Road where there is a rolling exhibition of work on the Apollo Pavilion by both professional and amateur photographers.
Perhaps most exciting of all there will be free workshops for children and young people (adults are welcome to take part) run by members of Dora Frankel Dance Company and visual artist Sam Goodlet who are currently collaborating with composer Peter Coyte on a new performance work Bridging the Gap to be staged at the Apollo Pavilion next year.
For further information email apollo@durham.gov.uk.
Launch of Friends
The Apollo Pavilion Community Association has formed the Friends of the Apollo Pavilion so that everyone who loves Victor Pasmore’s creation can play a part in sustaining its well-being and ensuring that it remains prominent in the public eye.
"Victor Pasmore's Apollo Pavilion at Peterlee was a pioneering work which has stood the test of time. Pasmore's vision for a more humane environment in the post-war world is one with which we can still identify. Pasmore saw the pavilion as a focal point in the community and I strongly support the work of the Friends' Asscoation in realising his ambition"
Sir Nicholas Serota, Director Tate Gallery
For further information go to the Friends of the Apollo Pavilion page.
In the Shadow of the Pavilion
An exhibition of photographs relating to the Apollo Pavilion opened to the public on Wednesday 9 June at:
The Pavilion Community Centre
Helford Road
Peterlee
SR8 1ER
This is the first in an ongoing series of photographic exhibitions organised by the Apollo Pavilion Community Association, featuring the work of both professional and amatuer photographers. We anticipate there being three new exhibitions annually.
Brass: Durham International Festival
Sunday 11 July, 3.00pm - Free admission
The Apollo Pavilion will be the venue for a performance by two of the liveliest and best international street bands:
Jaipur Kawa Brass Band
Hailing from Rajasthan, the Jaipur Kawa Brass band meld popular themes from Bollywood films with the traditional sounds of Northern India and classical Hindustani music; creating an explosion of sound and colour which is individual and wonderfully unexpected.
Magicaboola Brass Band
Very big and very jazzy, Magicaboola bring an Italian twist to New Orleans Street Jazz. They have played at street and jazz festivals throughout Europe and come to County Durham for the first time.
Community Events 2010
William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
Sunday 4 July, 4.00pm – free admission
Mad Alice Theatre Company are performing their production of Twelfth Night at the Apollo Pavilion. This abridged version of the play runs for 90 minutes.
About the Show
It is the 1960's. Our lovesick Orsino strums his guitar, infatuated with Olivia who, besides mourning the death of her brother, has no interest at all in his cries of "Love me do!”
Meanwhile as the threats of the Cold War still loom identical Russian twins, Sebastian and Viola, are shipwrecked on the North East coast of England.
A love triangle ensues when Viola, disguised as a man, chats up Olivia on Orsino's behalf. And when her identical twin lands on the scene further complications arise.
All this is further confused by the comical drunken antics of Olivia's household. But can they “Work it out?"
Years later two couples come together for an anniversary celebration. With picnic baskets, deck chairs and Tupperware they act out ‘Twelfth Night.’ But who ended up with whom in that 'Summer of Love’?
Join us for fun, frolics and even some “Twisting and Shouting” to find out!
Civic Trust Award
The Apollo Pavilion is one of 26 projects from across the United Kingdom and Ireland to this year receive the prestigious Civic Trust Award.
The honour given to Durham County Council, the design team of Burns Architects, RNJ Construction Consultants, DTA Consulting Engineers and contractor Makers Freyssinet follows the work undertaken to repair and reinstate the structure’s original features and rejuvenate the surrounding park area.
The award, which was announced at a ceremony at St George’s Hall in Liverpool on Friday, 12 March, recognises the cultural, social and economic benefits of the scheme and its outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment.
Colin Robson, Durham County Council Arts Officer, said: “Receiving the award is a fantastic honour and we are extremely proud.
“It’s an acknowledgement not just of the physical improvements to the structure but also of the efforts by the council and the Apollo Pavilion Community Association to involve residents throughout the process and engage with young people through the education programme.”
Constructing Excellence North East Award
The Pavilion won a prestigious Constructing Excellence North East Award at a Gala Evening at Newcastle’s Marriott Hotel on Friday 7 May 2010.
With 74 entries over 13 categories the project won the Highly Commended Heritage Award sponsored by English Heritage.
Tony Burns, Principal of Burns Architects said;
“The CENE Award not only recognises the high conservation standards of the restoration of the Pavilion, but also the endeavors of local people to deliver a successful public project.”
The judges were particularly impressed with the conservation approach and the enthusiasm of the project team.
Durham Environment Awards
The restoration of the Apollo Pavilion picked up two honours at the Durham Environment Awards at the Gala Theatre in Durham on Monday 24 May.
The project received the Craftsmanship Award in acknowledgement of the exceptional work undertaken in repairing the concrete faces of the Pavilion.
The project also received a Community Partnership Award sponsored by Groundwork presented to representatives of the Apollo Pavilion Community Association and Durham County Council's Arts Team.