Free tickets up for grabs in competition Just make Gladys dance for a chance to win! Can you make Gladys dance?

That’s the question organisers of the next Coastival arts event are asking… And if you can, you could win FREE tickets to the event!

Coastival 2014 will feature 100 activities – 80 of them free – spread across three days from 14th to 16th February.

As part of the countdown to the festival, organisers have been distributing promotional leaflets and beer mats, featuring Coastival mascot Gladys, throughout Scarborough. They encourage people to create a 10-second video of Gladys dancing either using the specially-designed beer mat or a picture they can download at www.coastival.com/dancing 

The video should then be uploaded to YouTube using the tag ‘CoastivalGladys’

The best five videos will win a pair of tickets to the ticketed Coastival event of the winner’s choice.

Main ticketed events at Coastival 2014 will be headline music act the Brand New Heavies, supported by Nubiyan Twist, taking to the stage at the Spa Grand Hall from 8pm on Friday 14th February.

Then there’s top-name jazz at the Spa Grand Hall the following day with Kate Peters and the Heavy Horns from 2.30 to 5pm and Yorkshire jazz favourite Clare Teal bringing the Community Band, from 8pm.

On Sunday 16th February the Musicport “Lock in Dance Show” will offer a unique mix of folk and hip-hop, set in a traditional English pub and featuring the Demon Barbers, at 2.30pm at the Spa Grand Hall.

Organisers, Scarborough-based arts development agency Create, say the competition is a fun chance to win free tickets.

Director Wendy Holroyd said: “Gladys has become the Coastival mascot and we thought what great fun it would be to involve her in a Coastival competition.

“The beer mats are in pubs all over Scarborough and are a great way to make Gladys dance or alternatively download the special picture and let your creative juices flow!

“We have already had some great entries but are looking forward to seeing just how off the wall people can be!”

Tickets are now on sale at £20 for the Brand New Heavies; £10 for the jazz afternoon session; £15 for the jazz evening session and £15 for the Lock-in Dance Show. A special ‘early-bird’ ticket is on offer covering all those concerts, for £50 – a saving of £10. More news and ticket links here or the Spa Box Office on 01723 357869 (10am to 3pm).

Coastival 2014 will feature music, theatre, arts, dance and entertainment for children, all based around the theme of movement.

One highlight will be Orpheus the Mariner, a huge performance featuring giant puppets and including a record attempt for the largest puppet in the world. This will be staged at various venues on Scarborough seafront on 14th and 15th February and will kick off the festival in style.

On the Saturday and Sunday there will be fabulous Acoustic Lounge sessions on offer both days, all free at Farrer’s Bar down at the Spa Complex.