A year-long programme of cultural events and activities commemorating historic anniversaries and showcasing talent has kicked off.

Medway Culture Fest 24 is being coordinated by Medway Creative, an organisation which works with the Town’s cultural sector, community groups and universities.

And there’s plenty to commemorate in Medway in 2024.

The bumper-packed programme ties in with the 40th anniversary of the closure of Chatham Dockyard which has seen it transformed from an industrial hub into a thriving heritage site.

It will also celebrate the 40th year of the Medway African and Caribbean Association and the centenary of the Medway Queen paddle steamer.

The programme launched yesterday (March 17) with Loop Dance’s U.Dance event inviting Medway’s young people to showcase their dance talent, build their confidence and develop their performance skills, culminating in a finale performance of 200 community dancers.

The event at the Glassbox Theatre, based at MidKent College’s Gillingham campus in Medway Road is one of a number of programmes giving children and young people the opportunity to get hands-on with arts, heritage and culture and explore careers in the creative sector.

Ideas Test will be supporting young people to develop their musical talent as part of the DisQuiet programme, and to kickstart their careers as creators, producers and cultural leaders by providing mentoring, training, and paid work placements through the Make Waves programme.

Medway African and Caribbean Association is inviting young performers and those interested in backstage roles to take part in a production exploring the history of hip hop and Afrobeat dance as part of their anniversary year programme.

Icon Theatre is inviting more than 150 residents of all ages to take part in a new production, Ghost Ships, staged at Chatham Historic Dockyard this September.

Ghost Ships tells the story of the extraordinary people who built and sailed the ships of dockyard around the world and will feature a community cast of locals and professional dancers performing together live on stage.

Young people aged between eight and 25 can get involved as performers through a backstage technical training and mentoring programme leading to paid work experience placements on the production.

Icon will be working with five Medway schools to run theatre and dance workshops which will culminate in performances within the show.

Adults are invited to join the show’s community Cast or choir. All opportunities are free and require no previous experience.

Residents are also invited to take part as volunteers through Medway Change Makers, Medway’s new cultural volunteering programme launching as part of the year.

The group connects local people with cultural events and activities, breaking down barriers to volunteering by offering one-off and short-term opportunities for an afternoon, a day or a weekend to suit modern-day schedules.

It also supports those with additional needs, language or access barriers to volunteer.

Opportunities include supporting Black Arts Hub’s season of Black visual arts and poetry this Autumn as a Medway Black Art Trail Guide, or helping install exhibition artworks.

Carol Stewart, Chairwoman of Creative Medway, said: “Creative Medway are proud to be launching Medway Culture Fest 24, celebrating Medway’s creativity, community and stories.

“The programme showcases the best of Medway’s creative talent from large-scale spectacles to small-scale community events and reflects the significance of 2024 as an anniversary year for Medway and its people.

“The programme is packed with opportunities for locals to take part and for young people to get hands-on with culture. We invite everyone to get involved!”

The full Medway Culture Fest 24 programme is available here.

Maria Dorey, Medway Change Makers volunteering programme manager, said: “Medway Change Makers is delighted to be supporting Medway people to be part of Medway Culture Fest 24 events this year.

“Whether you are looking to make new friends, improve your employability or just get involved in things happening locally, Medway Change Makers makes it possible to give your time in a way that works for you without making a long-term commitment and by accessing the support you need to take part as a volunteer.”