Local acts to perform at Illuminate event

Performances from Attik Youth Dance Company and Street Factory will be among those entertaining the crowds as part of Plymouth UKs ‘Illuminate’ celebrations.

Taking place on The Hoe from 6pm, residents and visitors have been invited to take part in a celebration to launch the official countdown to 2020 – the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower.

There will be performances from the Royal Naval Volunteer Band and entertainment will be provided by Plymouth Dance and Plymouth Music Zone.

The performances include Plymouth Morris Men, Attik Youth Dance Company and Atomic, Incranium and Beat-Breakers all from Rhythm City.

Tonality and George Downing House along with the Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support (DCRS) group will be putting on a show.

This will be followed by Wheelfever, Natasha’s Bollywood and Street Factory, with Street Factory and Lacey closing the evening at 8pm.

During the event there will be an opportunity for people to light a candle and take part in a group formation, which from the air will create the number ‘400’. This will take place after the City of Plymouth Pipe Band leads the ‘Step Up for Respect’ parade and key dignitaries from the Mayflower Steps, where a small civic service will have been held.

Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council, Pete Smith, said: “This event marks a very important moment in our history and allows us to celebrate the special relationship between the UK and US. We really want to get the community involved and as a “thank you” for being part of the evening and helping to create the ‘400’ formation some entertainment has been arranged for them to enjoy.”

Plymouth Massachusetts will be holding a similar event on Friday 21 November and the lighting of the candles from one city to another illustrates the quote by Governor William Bradford in his book Of Plimoth Plantation which states, “As one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled has shown unto many,” and will inspire a sense of unity among all those participating.

An Illuminate 2014 smartphone app has been created that provides an animated lit flame and the schedule for the evenings in both Plymouth UK and Massachusetts. Just search for ‘Illuminate 2014’ to download the app.