GemArts Mini Mela

FREE – Booking not required!

Packed full of family fun, GemArts MINI MELA comes to Darlington Hippodrome in February half term, and it’s all FREE! Just drop in, take part and get creative. Join in workshops featuring visual arts from Indian, African, Chinese and other cultures from around the world, and dance and drumming activities. Join us to learn something new and make your very own creations to take home.

The following workshops are taking place:

– Rangoli arts from India
– Chinese block printing
– Origami
– Henna artists
– Steel pans drumming
– Bollywood dance
– Face painting

Perfect for kids aged 5+

Brought to us by GemArts, the Mini Mela is supported by Darlington Hippodrome’s A Place For Everyone fund. We believe in the transformative power of the arts and think that everyone has the right to experience theatre and participate in creative activity.

A Place for Everyone opens up the theatre to audiences, practitioners and performers, regardless of social, physical or economic barriers. Since the fund’s launch in February 2019, £66,000 has been raised from donations from individuals, businesses and charitable trusts.

To support A Place for Everyone, donate when buying tickets through our box office or online, or contact [email protected]

If you’re involved with a group which would benefit from the scheme, contact [email protected].

Facilities

Darlington Hippodrome is an accessible theatre with lifts to every floor to access all areas of the event.

The Hippo Lounge is a cafe within the theatre that offers a wide array of warm and cold food and drink, as well as cakes and donuts.

There are toilets available on every floor, which are totally free to use.

Times

11am - 3pm

Prices

Free, no booking required.

Address

Darlington Hippodrome Parkgate Darlington DL1 1RR

Road Directions

Approaching from the south: From the A1, take the A66(M) exit Junction 57. At the roundabout take the 1st exit on the A66. At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit toward the town centre, which takes you past the Blackwell Grange Hotel on your left. At the Sainsbury's roundabout take the 4th exit which leads onto the Darlington ring road. At the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit, still continuing on the ring road, and move into the right hand lane. At the main traffic lights turn right onto Parkgate and the Hippodrome is located about 200 yards on your left. Approaching from the north: From the A1, take the A167 exit which is signposted for Darlington. Follow the road into town (about 3 miles) until you reach a large roundabout. Take the first exit, which is onto the Darlington ring road. Go straight over at the next roundabout (2nd exit). At the main set of traffic lights, turn left onto Parkgate and the Hippodrome is located about 200 yards on your left. Approaching from the east: Follow the A66(M) towards Darlington. At Little Burdon roundabout take the first exit (A66). Go straight over the following roundabout, at the next roundabout take the third exit towards Darlington on the B6280. Continue on the B6280 over the next roundabout. After about 1 mile, at the roundabout take the second exit remaining on the B6280 Yarm Road. After about a mile take the second exit at the mini roundabout on to Parkgate; go past the entrance to Darlington railway station on your left and the Hippodrome is located about 300 yards on your right. CAR PARKING There are short and long stay off street car parks surrounding the theatre (see map below). Most Council car parks are covered by 24 hour CCTV surveillance. For further advice on parking please contact the box office, or visit the Darlington Borough Council website.

Public Transport Directions

The following services are available from the bus stops outside the theatre: Service 2 - Branksome/Darlington Town Centre/Red Hall - Every 10 minutes, Monday to Saturday with a 30 minute evening service. A 30 minute Sunday service is also available. Last bus 23:29 (towards Cockerton) and 23:32 (towards Lingfield). Service 3B - Darlington Town Centre/Hundens Lane/Fitzwilliam Drive - Every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday. No evening service or Sunday service. Service 12/12A - Hurworth/Darlington/Morton Park/Middleton St G/Trees Park Village - Every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday. Sundays Darlington Town Centre to Morton Park every 60 minutes with no evening service. Last bus 19:31 (towards Durham Tees Valley Airport) and 19:22 going one stop to the town hall. Service 13A/13B - Darlington Town Centre to Firthmoor - Every 5 minutes Monday to Saturday with 30 minute evening service. Sundays half hourly, 60 minute evening service. Last bus 23:53 toward Prebend Row. Service 20 - Darlington Town Centre/Sadberge/Neasham - Operates three journeys on a Monday only. A short walk into town (0.3 miles) presents an opportunity to access more bus services, with journeys to Stockton/Middlesbrough (X67, X66), Newton Aycliffe/Shildon/Bishop Auckland (5/5A), Spennymoor (8), Durham (7), Sunderland (x21), Barnard Castle (84/84A, X75/X76), Richmond (29) and (X26/X27) to Richmond and Catterick. Darlington Hippodrome is a five minute walk from Darlington's train station. Darlington is a frequent stop on the East Coast mainline route as well as on local routes.