What’s on in Hull: Cultural events in March

Ferens Open Exhibition

It’s the 51st anniversary of the prestigious Open Exhibition at Ferens Art Gallery. The annual event celebrates professional and amateur artists from the local area.

This year, over 300 works are being shown until the end of April, each selected by an expert panel made up of 2017 Turner Prize Nominee, Hurvin Anderson, Curator of Twentieth-Century Art at the Courtauld Gallery, Dr Barnaby Wright, and Rosie Millard OBE, Chair of Hull 2017.

Expect to see incredible photographs, sculptures, paintings and mixed-media pieces.

The Open Exhibition runs at the Ferens Art Gallery until Sunday 22 April and is free to enter.

Heads Up Festival

Stretching across the whole of the city centre, Heads Up is back for its tenth year.

The fun-packed festival includes Ugly Chief, award-winning Victoria Melody’s latest production that stars TV celebrity antique dealer, Mike Melody, plus the premiere of the new E52 show, Dark Winter.

Audiences can also look forward to a double bill of brand new plays by Bill Drummond, a multi-disciplinary arts experience, exciting panels and intriguing workshops.

Heads Up takes place at various venues until Saturday 17 March.

Sponge

This incredible dance show by Big Imaginations and Turned On Its Head welcomes babies, little ones and their families to enjoy a soft and bouncy adventure filled with disco classics.

The springy, immersive session takes you on a journey through shape, texture and touch. It’s the perfect way to introduce your toddler to theatre and performing arts.

You can catch Sponge at various times throughout the day on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 March at Central Library.

Queens House Showcase - Artist Takeover!

For more exciting new artistic talent, head over to Queens House on Paragon Street. Feast your eyes on a plethora of new pieces, including textiles, prints, collages and illustrations.  

On top of this, you can take part in talks, activities and workshops with the featured artists, who will talk you through their creative inspirations, techniques and processes. It’s the ideal place to be if you’re looking to encourage a budding artist.

You can view the Artist Takeover at Queens House until Thursday 29 March.

Nina

American singer and songwriter, Nina Simone, is widely recognised as one of the key activists of the 1960s’ Civil Rights Movement.

This wonderful play highlights some of the iconic moments of the musician’s life and career. Backed by a dazzling band, the production truly transports you to this turbulent and vibrant time, whilst running parallel with the struggles of the cause today.

Nina runs at Hull Truck Theatre on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 March.