Norwich arts venue The Garage marked its 10th anniversary in style with a 1950s-themed birthday party packed full of song, dance and stilt-walking.

Eastern Daily Press: The Garage celebrate their 10th birthday with a party and performances including Dano, for guests and supporters. Picture by SIMON FINLAY.The Garage celebrate their 10th birthday with a party and performances including Dano, for guests and supporters. Picture by SIMON FINLAY.

The Chapel Field North centre first opened in 2004 following a £3.5m transformation of the former Theatre Royal scenery store, and over the past decade it has been a real champion of young people and the arts as well as now reaching out to people of all ages.

At yesterday's party, guests were treated to a showcase of the talents of just some of The Garage's performers - from impressive stilt walking by the High5 group to a brilliant dance sequence by Pulse Dance Company.

Aspiring singer-songwriter Dano Homer also impressed with her beautiful voice, supported by Sam Serazin on cello and Dom Trevor on saxophone, and a film about The Garage made by youth theatre company member Jake Harrison was shown.

In between guests heard about The Garage's story so far and about its plans for the future, with the venue's chief executive Darren Grice explaining how the ambition was to become a 'world class centre for performing arts' that both produces and presents cutting edge work.

Eastern Daily Press: The Garage celebrate their 10th birthday with a party and performances including a stilt performance, for guests and supporters.Picture by SIMON FINLAY.The Garage celebrate their 10th birthday with a party and performances including a stilt performance, for guests and supporters.Picture by SIMON FINLAY. (Image: Archant Norfolk.)

The Garage's £250,000 anniversary fundraising appeal to revamp the century-old building - and help to make the organisation's visions for the future a reality - was also officially launched, and the Town Close Estate Charity presented a £60,000 cheque to kick-start the campaign.

Brenda Ferris, one of the trustees of the Town Close Estate Charity, said in the last 10 years The Garage had achieved great things for Norwich people.

'In a true city of culture like ours supporting the aspirations of young people has always been absolutely crucial which is why it is such a pleasure to call on our historic fund for this modern need,' she said, adding that the money would pay for new lighting and sound hardware and dimmer racks.

Along with this and other work on the studio theatre, the £250,000 fundraising campaign also aims to fund improvements to the building's exterior and wheelchair-accessible changing facilities.

As well as Town Close Estate Charity, pledges have already been received for the campaign from The Paul Bassham Charitable Trust (£15,000), and the Charles Littlewood Hill Trust (£5,000).

• To find out how to donate funds to the £250,000 appeal email development@thegarage.org.uk or call 01603 283382.

• Visit www.thegarage.org.uk