The Powerhouse Youth Zone, presented by Imagineer and Media Manaia, took centre stage at the Godiva Festival between 30 June – 2 July 2023.

Imagineer’s giant puppet Godiva welcomed crowds to the festival, the first time she has been seen in Coventry since the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

The Powerhouse Youth Zone opened on Friday evening with an Urban Vibe, spoken word artists, singer-song writers, rappers and vocalists including featured artists Samo Songs and Duke Keats. On Saturday and Sunday the whole Zone was in action with full music stage line-up including headliners Hazz, Fyah Kamp and Friends, and Teedemba.

Visitors could enjoy large scale visual art structures from Transformations (an Imagineer and Media Mania Programme for young people 16yrs – 29yrs not in employment, education or training), based on the concept of ‘Future Fantasy Cities’. The structures include a Lenticular, The DJ Shed, Island in the Sky, The Wonder Room  and an exhibition of models.

On the ground and in the air, high wire walkers and aerial performance came courtesy of  Circolombia performers and Rebel Manifesto Aerial. There was also dance from Elite and GAPA, performance from Open Theatre and the DJ Shed.

There was also the opportunity to try circus skills including wire walking, acrobatics and aerial hoop, interactive sound creation and puppeteering, and an opportunity to have a go at puppeteering Godiva herself.

Download the Powerhouse Youth Zone programme: PYZ-Godiva-Festival-2023