Beach of Dreams National Launch

Join us for the national launch of Beach of Dreams, a UK-wide coastal arts festival presented by Kinetika, with a dynamic participatory event celebrating the creativity, cultural heritage, and resilience of the Thames Estuary.

Threads for Tomorrow – one of eight major commissions for Beach of Dreams – will be unveiled, showcasing a powerful collaboration between designers, Rahemur Rahman and Sarah Doyle, sewing groups from across the Thames Estuary, and Kinetika. Created in partnership with T100, the commission features two striking, sampan-inspired mobile structures, embroidered silk panels, and an exquisite Carnival Queen costume, all exploring themes of sustainability, natural materials, pollution, and the intricate connections between the natural and built environments – including the Port of Tilbury. Threads for Tomorrow invites reflection on hidden stories within waste, the resilience of materials, and the beauty that emerges through reinvention, collaboration, and shared creativity.

Join us for a day of celebration and creativity:

Threads for Tomorrow Performances: Immerse yourself in Threads for Tomorrow through a captivating performance featuring over 100 local performers, blending dance, storytelling, and The Beach of Dreams Silks, led by choreographer Charlene Low.
Performance Times: 1pm & 4pm

Be part of the performance!

The Estuary Exchange: Discover a vibrant marketplace of creativity with workshops, interactive installations, and opportunities to connect with cultural organisations and creators. Explore the Thames Estuary’s rich cultural landscape and learn about upcoming projects.
Open: 1pm – 5pm

Walks: Begin the day with a series of guided walks, weaving through the Thurrock landscape and leading into the event and performances, with Kinetika and T100 leading the way.

Walk 1: What inspires the vision behind Beach of Dreams? In conversation with Artistic Director Ali Pretty.
East Tilbury → Tilbury Cruise Terminal

9:30am – 12:30pm

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Walk 2: Tilbury Trail with Views of the Docks: How have the docklands shaped Tilbury’s history and future?

Tilbury Civic Square → Tilbury Cruise Terminal

11.30am – 12.30pm

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Beach of Dreams is presented by Kinetika, supported by Arts Council England, Historic England and The Port of Tilbury.

In partnership with Tilbury on the Thames Trust, T100, Start Thurrock and Estuary Festival.

Tilbury on the Thames Trust's Back on Track project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, Back on Track will culminate a joint community and commercial effort to restore and celebrate the Grade II* Tilbury Cruise Terminal as ‘the Nation’s Landing Stage’, cementing Tilbury on the Thames Trust as its financially secure and representative custodian.

Learn more about Threads for Tomorrow: https://www.beachofdreams.org/submissions/threads-for-tomorrow

Participating Sewing Groups in Threads for Tomorrow: Inspire (East London); Kite Spirit (Purfleet); Leigh Three (Leigh-on-Sea); North Kent College – Art and Fashion Students (Dartford); Red Hot Stitchers (Shoebury); Seevic – USP College – Fashion Students (Benfleet); Subrang Arts (South London); YM Workshops (Purfleet).

Please note: Under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.