Beach of Dreams National Launch

Join us for the national launch of Beach of Dreams, a UK-wide coastal arts festival presented by Kinetika, with a dynamic participatory event celebrating the creativity, cultural heritage, and resilience of the Thames Estuary.

Threads for Tomorrow – one of eight major commissions for Beach of Dreams – will be unveiled, showcasing a powerful collaboration between designers, Rahemur Rahman and Sarah Doyle, sewing groups from across the Thames Estuary, and Kinetika. Created in partnership with T100, the commission features two striking, sampan-inspired mobile structures, embroidered silk panels, and an exquisite Carnival Queen costume, all exploring themes of sustainability, natural materials, pollution, and the intricate connections between the natural and built environments – including the Port of Tilbury. Threads for Tomorrow invites reflection on hidden stories within waste, the resilience of materials, and the beauty that emerges through reinvention, collaboration, and shared creativity.

Join us for a day of celebration and creativity:

Thread for Tomorrow Performances: Immerse yourself in Threads for Tomorrow through a captivating performance featuring over 100 local performers, blending dance, storytelling, and The Beach of Dreams Silks, led by choreographer Charlene Low.

Performance Times: 1pm & 4pm

The Estuary Exchange: Discover a vibrant marketplace of creativity with workshops, interactive installations, and opportunities to connect with cultural organisations and creators. Explore the Thames Estuary’s rich cultural landscape and learn about upcoming projects.

Open: 1pm – 5pm

Walks: Begin the day with a series of guided walks, weaving through the Thurrock landscape and leading into the event and performances, with Kinetika and T100 leading the way.

Walk 1: What inspires the vision behind Beach of Dreams? In conversation with Artistic Director Ali Pretty. East Tilbury → Tilbury Cruise Terminal 9:30am – 12:30pm

Walk 2: Tilbury Trail with Views of the Docks: How have the docklands shaped Tilbury’s history and future? Tilbury Civic Square → Tilbury Cruise Terminal 11.30am – 12.30pm

London International Cruise Terminal, Tilbury RM18 7NG

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Partners and Supporters

Beach of Dreams is presented by Kinetika, supported by Arts Council England and Historic England.

In partnership with Tilbury on Thames Trust, T100, Start Thurrock and Estuary Festival.

Learn more about Threads for Tomorrow here.

Participating Sewing Groups in Threads for Tomorrow: Inspire (East London); Kite Spirit (Purfleet); Leigh Three (Leigh-on-Sea); North Kent College – Art and Fashion Students (Dartford); Red Hot Stitchers (Shoebury); Seevic – USP College – Fashion Students (Benfleet); Subrang Arts (South London); YM Workshops (Purfleet).