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Saturday 23rd July 2011

The London 2012 Open Weekend in Portsmouth has a few exciting shows to offer. Celebrating one year to the beginning of the games, over 1000 unique events will take place all over the country. 20 giant screens across the UK will screen news and interactive events connected to the Olympics.

On Saturday 23 July 2011 the events start off with an Open Day at the Mountbatten Centre Portsmouth. There will be a special discount on this day for every visitor. Activities in the centre include swimming, squash courts and a multi-use gaming area.

Creative ladies are invited to join in a Knit-a-thon from 9 AM to 9 PM on Saturday. Sponsorships are available at the Aspex Gallery in Gunwharf Quay's Vulcan building.

The Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum will also host an open day. Entrance to the Museum will be free on both Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can also get involved in the next year's celebrations. Charles Dickens' 200th Birthday Celebration will take place next year at the Museum, with activities planned well ahead.

Several interactive games, films and feature movies will be presented on the Big Screen in Guildhall Square, from 10 AM to 6.45 PM. From noon until 4 PM there Olympic and Paralympic displays will entertain onlookers, and you can also try your skills at boxing, tennis, wheelchair tennis, cycling, rowing, gymnastics, and wheelchair basketball. Free health checks and eating advice will also be available in the square. The activities will be accompanied by a brass quartett starting at 1 PM, boxing display, Portsmouth Voices and Zumba.

Meet the Saxons at the Portsmouth City Museum garden. Re-enactment group Weorod will introduce the Saxon way of life through displays, clothing and combat demonstrations. Activities start at 10.30am until 4.30pm.

Impact Dance Festival will have a performance of contemporary dance at the Rose Gardens in Southsea, with live music, from 11 AM to 12 PM. The Dance Festival continues at Gunwharf Quays from 1 PM with cha-cha-cha, belly dancing, tango and Zumba.

Sunday 24 July 2011

Sunday's activities kick off with a Boutique Market in Guildhall Square from 11 AM to 3 PM. Create a wall of bunting as part of the Dysarticulate project organised by artist John Adams, made of recycled books that will decorate the outside of the New Theatre Royal.

Displays will continue in the Square on Sunday with boxing, Zumba and Chinese dancing, while the Big Screen in Portsmouth will show interactive games and movies.