PEOPLE of all ages are getting their hands dirty during the festival thanks to an array of interactive workshops.

There are more than two dozen workshops taking place during Worcester Festival 2010. All this week, children aged five to 12 have been taking part in acting classes at the Swan Theatre, while other youngsters have been spinning plates and juggling balls at a circus skills workshop Today, artist Kate Plumtree will run the Teddy Bear Factory at Worcester City Art Gallery in Foregate Street, giving children a chance to make their own teddy from scratch, and 18th century-inspired girl band Lady Georgianna will lead Pirate Madness, a singing and songwriting workshop at the Art House Cafe in CrownGate Shopping Centre.

Helen Russell, who is running a series of free singing classes at St Swithun’s Institute especially for the festival, said workshops can help people shed their inhibitions.

She said: “The festival organisers were really keen to have some community workshops this year and I am hoping that people who might normally shy away will come and have a go.

“Singing is free. You don’t need an instrument or lessons. The workshops are a place where there is no pressure, where no one will judge you.

“People who take part suddenly realise how much fun it is.”

Miss Russell, who runs Express Yourself Community Music in Worcester and encourages people to “have a good sing song”, will hold singing and music workshops for three to seven-year-olds and for seven to 11-year-olds, a contemporary choir workshop for children over 11, and a adult choir workshop this Saturday.

Other workshops include a ukulele workshop at the Elgar School of Music (complete beginners may borrow an instrument on the day), Worcester School of Rock and Performance’s Come Join a Band event at Worcester City Youth Centre on City Walls Road, salsa dancing at the Slug and Lettuce pub in the Cross, a drum clinic with professional musican Jason Bowld, and an acoustic guitar masterclass with virtuoso Jon Gomm.

Many are free, but booking is essential. For more information, visit worcesterfestival.co.uk or call 01905 611427.