Galoshans Festival | Bex Anson 'FLOCK'

As part of Galoshans 2025 X Feral Takeover Programme

FLOCK: Pop Up Dance Performance and Workshop

FLOCK invites you to a live dance poem, celebrating our connection to Port Glasgow, nature, and each other. Inspired by mesmerizing bird murmurations, this event will transform Port Glasgow library into a temporary, moving artwork. It asks: “How can a group become ‘a single thought’ while retaining ‘a thousand voices’?”

Join us to draw and dance with your imagination alongside a ballet dancer! You’ll use giant chalk to help create a beautiful visual poem that unfolds across the park.

All ages are welcome, and no experience is needed! Join our pre-show workshop for creative fun with words, movement, and drawings about birds and community. Then, help us make a beautiful, temporary artwork that moves with the dancer – a visual poem unfolding in the streets!

Here’s how to get involved:

1) FLOCK Workshop (12 Noon - 1 PM): Enjoy a playful session of movement, words, and mark-making, exploring ideas about birds and community, then Be In The Performance(1:10PM – 1:30 PM): Step into the performance, become part of the flock and help us create a beautiful temporary artwork—a visual poem unfolding in front of Port Glasgow Library.

To take part in the workshop and perform as part of the flock during the performance register at the booking link below.

2) FLOCK Performance (1:10 PM – 1:30 PM) Audiences can also choose to come along and see the performance only at 1.10pm. No advanced booking is required. Just turn up and watch!

LOCATION: Port Glasgow Library, Fore St, Port Glasgow, PA14 5EG
This event happens outside in front of Port Glasgow Library. In the event of adverse weather the activity will take place at Port Glasgow Salvation Army, 19 King St, Port Glasgow PA14 5JA.

WORKSHOP INFORMATION

Age Range and Experience Level: Inclusive for all ages and abilities. No previous experience necessary in movement, poetry, or drawing. Under 16's to be accompanied with an adult.

What to Bring/Wear: Participants should wear sturdy footwear, comfortable clothing and bring waterproofs if needed as this workshop and performance takes place outdoors. In the event of adverse weather it will take place indoors at the Port Glasgow Salvation Army Hall.

Refreshments: Drinks and fruit will be provided.

TICKETS AND HOW TO BOOK

Closer to the festival each ticket holder will receive email instructions on how to access and participate in the workshop.

This event is free but has a limited capacity of 20 people so please book to avoid disappointment. If you are no longer able to use your ticket please cancel your booking so someone else may attend.

ABOUT BEX ANSON

Glasgow-based artist Bex Anson explores expanded choreography for site-responsive contexts; examining social politics, co-creation, and engagement within urban landscapes. Previous shows include STRUT, KID_X and RUINS. Her outdoor work has toured Scotland and featured at festivals like GDIF and Spraoi International Street Arts Festival. Anson is a recipient of the Stomping Ground Commission (2022) and a Four Nations Outdoor Arts Bursary (2023), alongside Made In Scotland and Total Theatre Awards.

ABOUT GALOSHANS FESTIVAL

Galoshans festival will return to Inverclyde for its 11th year running. Galoshans festival is centred around Halloween traditions and its aim is to celebrate the wealth of art and culture that Inverclyde has to offer. The 10-day festival has events for everyone ranging from performances and exhibitions to workshops and street parties. For information on the full programme, access and how to experience the festival visit: www.galoshansfestival.com

FERAL ‘TAKEOVER’

For the 4th year running, Galoshans Festival will be bringing you a takeover from Feral featuring a series of playful performances and curious encounters across the region. Aimed to continue Galoshan’s ethos of bringing high quality arts experiences to Inverclyde that focus on celebrating people and place.

CREDITS

Part of Feral Galoshans Festival Takeover Programme www.feralarts.co.uk.

FLOCK supported by Galoshans festival, Govanhill International Carnival and Feral.

ACCESS

We would like to hear your feedback and what we can improve throughout the festival. If you have any issues, questions or enquiries about Access please contact feralartprojects@gmail.com and one of our team will be in touch.

V: Highly Visual / No or Little Text - Events with this tag will be highly visual and contain minimal or no text.

R: Relaxed Performance – audience can come and go as they please/make noise/move around.

Event Location: Port Glasgow Library, Fore St, Port Glasgow PA14 5EG

Port Glasgow Library is a 5-minute walk from Port Glasgow Train Station and a 5 minute walk from Port Glasgow Bus Station.

There is a car park behind Port Glasgow Library just off Bay St.

The toilets at Port Glasgow Library are located on the ground floor behind the stairs and to the left. They include accessible toilets and there are free period products available in one of the toilets

Port Glasgow Library has step free access

This workshop will take place in an outdoor space, offering flexibility. We can adapt it for indoor use if needed, utilizing paper on the floor.

Our goal for FLOCK is to be inclusive for all ages and abilities, with no prior experience necessary.

*While we'll be on our feet devising and exploring movement for periods, we aim to accommodate any physical barriers within our means.

*The movement vocabulary is highly adaptable, often led by ideas from the group. Bex Anson will guide individuals, but also encourage everyone to participate at their own comfort level, finding a collective movement palette that embraces the entire group.

*To support this, chairs will be available (participants can move while sitting down), we'll take frequent breaks, and participants are welcome to 'flock in and out' of activities as they wish, or simply observe.

*For drawing exercises, we're creating long chalk pencils so you don't have to be on the ground, and we'll provide knee pads for those who prefer ground-level work.

*This workshop will take place in an outdoor space, offering flexibility. We can adapt it for indoor use if needed, utilizing paper on the floor.

*We'll start with a group check-in, inviting participants to share anything that makes them feel at ease. Alternatively, you can chat with Bex Anson discreetly beforehand for accommodations during our warm-*Filming: The workshop will be filmed for private, personal development purposes only.