Arts Diary: Will Marriott

We like to think we're "down with the kids" here at Arts Diary. So we're a little embarrassed to admit that we had to Google the name of George Sampson before bringing you this next piece of news.

George, you see, was due to perform at Sheffield City Hall tomorrow at the Captivating the Heart of Fashion event. The charity do will raise money for City Hearts, a Sheffield-based residential programme for women overcoming serious life issues such as drug and alcohol addictions. The charity helps women turn their lives around.

Sampson pulled out of the event earlier this week due to "conflicting work commitments" and according to the guys at City Hall they "understand that George Sampson's performance was a major draw to some ticket buyers and are making refunds available".

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The internet has come to the rescue and we now know that George Sampson is a dancer who won Britain's Got Talent two years ago. Good for him. Personally, we doubt anyone will ask for a refund, given that the money raised is going to such a worthy charity, dancing talent show winner or not.

Wanna be in a Tony Award winning show? No problems. This August, the York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre is working alongside the National Centre for Early Music to produce the moving Coram Boy. Known for their diverse choices in plays, Coram Boy is set to be a journey through the dark heart of 18th century Britain. And if you are a keen singer then there is a chance for you to get involved too.

Originally produced at the National Theatre performing to sell-out audiences, Coram Boy then transferred to Broadway and was nominated for both Olivier and Tony awards. Now York Theatre Royal will bring it back to the main stage with 35 enthusiastic cast members from their Youth Theatre and a live choir. The theatre is searching for 30 young people who have a passion for singing and are available to rehearse between August 21 to 25, with performances between August 26 to 28. The cost of being involved for the whole period, including the professional training is 80. If you are between 12 and 25 and would like to find out more about performing in Coram Boy contact the National Centre for Early Music at [email protected].

Brazil may have Rio, New Orleans its Mardi Gras and London its Notting Hill. But if you want to see a spectacular parade with amazing giant puppets, dazzling artwork, a riot of colour and toe-tapping music, you don't even have to leave Yorkshire.

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In June, the Hebden Bridge Handmade Parade will be winding its way through the Pennine town with a fun-filled procession the like of which many people have never seen.

The parade, now into its third year, takes place at 2pm on Saturday June 26 – the first day of the Hebden Bridge Arts Festival, which features an array of talents from all over the world.

Andrew Kim, artistic director of the Handmade Parade and a renowned puppeteer and puppet-maker who has worked on parades and pageants across the world, said: "This year promises to be better than ever. Look out for more stilt-walkers, more street bands, more giant puppets, a longer parade route and a fabulous finale pageant."

For more details about the parade go to www.hebdenbridgeparade.org

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