Count Me In

Count Me In was a region-wide celebration of music, dance and outside arts developed for the Cultural Olympiad in the run up to London 2012. An annual celebration, which grew year-on-year, Count Me In marked the “countdown” to the end of Games Time in the UK.  As such, it was designed as a “counterpoint” to LOCOG’s Open Weekend (at the end of July) that marked the countdown to the start of Games Time in 2012.

About Count Me In

Count Me In was developed as part of the Cultural Olympiad celebrations in the South West as a weekend of “mass participation” that enabled as many people as possible to take part in or have access to cultural activity in the run up to London 2012.

While the weekend had a focus on promoting young peoples’ engagement with music, dance and the street arts, it was open to all ages and all cultural organisations in developing new audiences for their work.

Count Me In also helped to extend the shoulder season providing further opportunities to promote the region as a vibrant place to visit throughout the year.

Count Me In took place for the first time in 2009 and included brass band music (Bandstand Marathon), junior Morris dance (Dinosaurs Not Allowed), rock music (Teenage Rampage), contemporary dance (Urban Arena @ the Big Screen) and the street arts (Bristol Do). Most events included were successful in getting their prestigious Inspire Mark, associating them directly with the Cultural Olympiad. In 2009 and again in 2010 the whole initiative had been awarded the Inspire mark.

The Bandstand Marathon, which started in this region, has gone on to become an annual national event.  For more information, visit the Bandstand Marathon website