Free summer events at Milton Keynes Market to celebrate relaunch

Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) is pleased to announce the relaunch of Milton Keynes Market with a free summer arts and entertainment programme running from 5 – 13 August.

Located in the heart of the city centre, Milton Keynes Market is a bustling, popular shopping destination with a rich variety of stalls. From fruit and veg to hairdressers and beauty shops, Milton Keynes Market is an essential resource for the city’s communities.

Working closely with current stall holders, MKDP are developed exciting plans for the Market to become an even more popular shopping and food destination. Shoppers will benefit from additional stalls, events, and enhanced facilities including extra seating and improved lighting.

A new brand for the Market has been developed in collaboration with current stall holders by local design practice Studio Chehade, and a new dedicated website www.miltonkeynesmarket.com will promote the Market and upcoming events.

To mark the relaunch of Milton Keynes Market, MKDP has worked with Milton Keynes City Council and MK-based creative agency Pooleyville on a week-long ‘Summer at Milton Keynes Market’ celebration from 5 – 13 August. Featuring the Fandangoe DISCOTECA and programmed by Carly Attridge from The Loss Project, the celebration features music, food, yoga and wellness workshops, pétanque tournaments, creative workshops, Bollywood dance lessons and much more.

About Summer at Milton Keynes Market

Summer at Milton Keynes Market will begin on 5 August by welcoming the Fandangoe DISCOTECA – an ambitious public art project by Annie Frost Nicholson. Multidisciplinary artist Annie Frost Nicholson believes in the power of art to tackle difficult conversations around mental health. Her latest project, Fandangoe DISCOTECA invites the public to dance in a micro-kiosk as part of a joyful art installation. Nicholson believes that during times of grief or anxiety, it can be difficult to find joy, but dancefloors can bring people together in powerful ways.

The DISCOTECA itself is a beautifully refurbished Kiosk K67 designed by Solvenian architect and designer Saša J. Mächtig. Originally designed in the 1960s as a flexible multi-purpose structure that can be expanded endlessly, the kiosks were often found in the streetscapes of Eastern Europe. K67 Berlin who worked with Nicholson to create the DISCOTECA track down the historical K67 kiosks, renovate them and bring them back to city life.

The Fandangoe DISCOTECA will host a free programme of workshops inviting MK’s communities to come along enjoy the music, meet other people, and contribute to a collective Market playlist.

Running alongside the Fandangoe DISCOTECA programme, Pooleyville has put together a fantastic selection of bands, DJs, Milton Keynes Market-inspired food and drink, stalls, creative workshops and will premiere a newly commissioned Market poem by Elsie Bryant.

Events include:

• Saturday 5 August, 2pm to 6pm – Grief Rave

A joyful space to play tunes to remember loved ones who have died or share nostalgia for times gone by. Request your tunes, make dedications, share your stories and dance in a space full of joy and hope with Nick Street Sound System and Carly from The Loss Project

• Tuesday 8 August, noon to 2pm – Yoga with Madlyn Maya

A gentle yoga session, open to all ages and abilities. No previous yoga experience necessary, bring a mat if you have one! 20-minute sessions across the two hours.

• Tuesday 8 August, 2pm to 3pm – Bollywood Vibes

Fun Bollywood Style dance workshop.

• Thursday 10 August, 5pm – 11pm – food, cocktails, games and music

A selection of music from The Music Room, followed by guest DJs curated by Listen Here. Food will be inspired by the fantastic selection of ingredients to be found within Milton Keynes Market itself, cooked up by James Carr (Group Head Chef at MK College, Wyld and Milton Keynes Chef of the Year). Indulge in a game of pétanque and enjoy cocktails and a well-stocked bar until 11pm.

• Friday 11 August, 1pm to 5pm – The Shoopery

Dancing, movement-based games, ‘cat walking’ and more to help you beat your anxiety and let yourself go! 20 min slots at 30 min intervals throughout the event.

• Friday 11 August, from 12noon – 6pm – food, cocktails, games and music

Live music curated by Ozo Jazz Nights, guest DJs selected by Listen Here on the Milton Keynes Market stage. The Market Menu, excellent cocktails, and more fun and games on the boules pitch.

• Saturday 12 August, 11am – 11pm – food, cocktails, games and music

Additional stallholders join Milton Keynes Market selling locally made and grown products, plus there’s live music and a fantastic selection of street food until late.

• Sunday 13 August, 12noon – 6pm – family friendly afternoon relaxation

A slightly gentler tempo with an afternoon of jazz, plant and flea-market stalls, and family friendly creative workshops alongside street food and the bar.

For the full Summer at Milton Keynes Market programme, head to www.miltonkeynesmarket.com