There will be three days of vibrant theatre, dance and music performances in Bournemouth this weekend for their annual arts festival.
Arts by the Sea offers inspiring, engaging and fun-packed activities suitable for all ages, and what’s more, it’s free to attend. This year’s festival will feature a Mind Matter theme with engaging workshops, activities and talks set within the wider festival.
Visitors can expect modern juggling and pyrotechnics, an interactive zone inspired by classic arcade games, aerial bungee choreography, a talking ambulance and a crazy closing parade.
From large scale light installations and projection mapping on Bournemouth Town Hall, VR experiences and bespoke interactive works, to dance workshops, live music performances and pop-up theatre, there will be something for all ages to enjoy.
The festival will also feature street theatre from Nutkhut, and performances from some of Bournemouth’s most celebrated contemporary choirs and dance troupes: Love Soul Choir, Funky Little Choir, and The Bomo Swing.
Festival guests will be able to visit the Mind Matter Hub on Pavilion Dance Terrace in the town centre. Here they will be able to explore and discuss the Five Steps to Wellbeing and mental health with positive and mind-boosting experiences.
From the main hub, Dorset Mind will be running creative interactive activities as well as offering information on their local mental health support and education and training programmes for the workplace and young people.
Bournemouth University will be running several drop-in exhibits, interactive workshops and talks, covering research topics undertaken by BU including, mental wellbeing for new mothers, postnatal depression in men, and the responsibility the media plays in modern mental health.
Those feeling active can take part in Good Gym’s 5km group run, Open Air Park Yoga, Flexercise and Zumba Gold with Active 50+, or take part in the beach clean with Litter Free Coast & Sea.
Elsewhere, Parks Foundation presents Parks in Mind where visitors will be inspired by nature on its arty tour around Bournemouth’s very own town-centre wood. Here they’ll see the Common in a different light as they connect with other people and the environment. Or for hands-on activities, visit the Graffiti Art drop-in workshops with Arts2Educate, both are suitable for all ages.
The colourful mix of programming at Arts by the Sea 2019 will also include street theatre presented by Nutkhut and The Bureau of Silly Ideas. Visitors will be able to join Inspector Daal and Sergeant Sole in Chappal – The Case Of The Missing Sandal. Witness the bumbling crime solving duo as they embark on an international investigation to find Aunt-ji’s favourite antique sandal after it goes missing on holiday.
Fans of music and dance at Arts by the Sea will be able to hear The Love Soul Choir perform intricate harmonies and contemporary songs from The Pointer Sisters, Lionel Richie, Clean Bandit and Tori Kelly; and Dorset’s largest, contemporary amateur group, the Funky Little Choir, singing numbers from KT Tunstall, Elbow, The Beatles and Annie Lennox. In addition, Bournemouth-based eight-piece band, The Bomo Swing, will deliver their high energy and unique blend of Balkan, Reggae, Cumbia and dance.
When: 27th – 29th September 2019
Where: Bournemouth
£: Free to attend
More info: www.artsbythesea.co.uk