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parade of people travelling down a street with colourful banners and props.

Playing Out

Playing Out is a community led project based in our local neighbourhood of Canley.

Playing Out has been nationally recognised in Spirit of 2012's final report, Crafting Events that Matter, and was a shortlistee for the Museum and Heritage Awards in 2024.

About Playing Out

Playing Out in Canley is a programme of creative activity and partnerships taking place in Canley since 2021. It is a collaborative project between Canley residents and Warwick Arts Centre designed for and by participants of all ages. As of 2024, the project has shifted into community ownership, with the arts centre maintaining an important but supporting role.

Working with a Community Steering Group and the wider Canley Community, the project has developed a significant presence through regular activities such as the Canley Samba Band, Creative Workshops, the Canley Newsletter and the annual outdoor cinema on Prior Deram Park. The biggest community event is the annual Canley Parade.  

As part of the project we have worked with artists throughout with an aim to embed creativity in the area. See our digital publication from 2023, which shares a commissioned poem for Canley by poet Navkiran Kaur Mann and a written documentary piece by social historian and ‘Canley kid’, Dr Ruth Cherrington. You can also watch our film of the same year to experience the parade’s movement and sound as created by residents with artists Dave Barrett and Francesca Robson.  

See pictures below from our most recent 2025 parade on the theme of World Peace. All workshops and event content designed by the Playing Out Steering group and people of Canley.

With thanks to our community partners and steering group members including: Bonneville Place, Canley Community Church, Canley Community Centre, Canley Library, Canley Pop-Up Café, Canley Stakeholders group, Cannon Park Primary School, Charter Primary School, St Stephens Church, Westwood Academy and Willowbrook Residential Village.  

With thanks to our community partners and steering group members including: Bonneville Place, Canley Community Church, Canley Community Centre, Canley Library, Canley Pop-Up Café, Canley Stakeholders group, Cannon Park Primary School, Charter Primary School, St Stephens Church, Westwood Academy and Willowbrook Residential Village.  

Find out more about Playing Out. 

Playing Out was kindly supported by Spirit of 2012. 

Watch the Film

Lots of people wearing colourful clothes, playing musical instruments and holding sculptures in a parade

People of The Parade

A group of dancers wearing matching bright pink hoodies and holding black and pink pom-poms perform in the street during the Canley Parade 2025.
Two women lead a group of children down a residential street during the Canley parade.
Two women walk in the Canley Parade wearing bright pink safety vests over their clothes.
Four smiling young women celebrating at the Canley parade.
Parade participants walk down a residential street, with one carrying a large sign decorated with world flags that reads 'I can change the world!'
A close-up side profile of a young child participating in the Canley Parade.
A close-up of a collection of handmade props lying on a wooden table.
Members of the Canley Samba band perform during the Canley Parade, dressed in matching purple t-shirts and yellow caps.
A Scottish pipe band marches in formation down a residential street.
A group of dancers wearing matching bright pink hoodies and holding black and pink pom-poms perform in the street during the Canley Parade 2025.
Two women lead a group of children down a residential street during the Canley parade.
Two women walk in the Canley Parade wearing bright pink safety vests over their clothes.
Four smiling young women celebrating at the Canley parade.
Parade participants walk down a residential street, with one carrying a large sign decorated with world flags that reads 'I can change the world!'
A close-up side profile of a young child participating in the Canley Parade.
A close-up of a collection of handmade props lying on a wooden table.
Members of the Canley Samba band perform during the Canley Parade, dressed in matching purple t-shirts and yellow caps.
A Scottish pipe band marches in formation down a residential street.
A group of dancers wearing matching bright pink hoodies and holding black and pink pom-poms perform in the street during the Canley Parade 2025.
Two women lead a group of children down a residential street during the Canley parade.
Two women walk in the Canley Parade wearing bright pink safety vests over their clothes.
Four smiling young women celebrating at the Canley parade.
Parade participants walk down a residential street, with one carrying a large sign decorated with world flags that reads 'I can change the world!'
A close-up side profile of a young child participating in the Canley Parade.
A close-up of a collection of handmade props lying on a wooden table.
Members of the Canley Samba band perform during the Canley Parade, dressed in matching purple t-shirts and yellow caps.
A Scottish pipe band marches in formation down a residential street.
Families gathered to watch an outdoor cinema screening.

Get involved

If you live in Canley and would like to get creative with us, please get in touch.

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Wednesday 21 January