MUSICIANS are being invited to form a street band and light up the first night of the Devizes International Street Festival.

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA), which organises the festival as part of Devizes Carnival, wants people to be involved in making visual elements and perform on the evening of Sunday, August 24.

DOCA wants to create a street band for a show, so people who play brass, reed or percussion instruments are invited to join in this one-off performance.

Professional outdoor arts company Rag and Bone will be running the show and DOCA says it will be inspired by English celebratory traditions of noise, fire and music and Devizes’ own history.

DOCA will be running workshops from Saturday, August 16, in Devizes through the following week to create the visual elements, using willow and scrap metal, and develop the band.

Jo Beal, DOCA’s artistic director, said: “DOCA runs a strong participatory programme as part of its work and the Sunday Night Show is a new and exciting opportunity to get involved this year, whether performing or behind the scenes. No previous experience in show production is necessary, just imagination and enthusiasm.

“We will create a performance that will bring the landscape to life, that will summon up images of the town’s dreamtime and be immensely fun and exciting for all involved.”

The Sunday Night Show will begin at 7pm on The Green and proceed to a secret location where, Ms Beal said, spectators and participants will be treated to a spectacular show – a landscape symphony of light and sound. It is being supported by the Grist Group of Companies.

Managing director Nigel Grist said: “Grist Group are proud to be involved with the Sunday night project by providing essential financial and logistical support. As a Devizes company we appreciate what the town has to offer, historically and aesthetically, and by opening up its hidden spaces, along with strong community participation, we want to help promote the town and encourage tourism.”

There is no age limit to get involved, but participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

An informal meeting has been arranged for August 15 at 8pm in the Crown Centre, St John’s Street. Call Ms Beal on 07880 239598 or email info@docadevizes.org.uk n A permanent home to store giant lanterns, including of an elephant, created for the Devizes Christmas Festival, is still being sought. The lanterns have a temporary home at St Mary’s Church, Devizes, but anyone who can offer storage space should call Ms Beal.