University launches arts festival

A new arts festival to celebrate the creative and cultural life of the region is being launched by the University of Wolverhampton.

The first Artsfest will take place from 9 May to 13 June 2015 at a range of venues across the Black Country.

Activities include dance, theatre and musical performances, art exhibitions, workshops and masterclasses and education events for schools and college groups.

Dr John Pymm, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, said: “We’re delighted to be launching our first Artsfest. Our aim is to celebrate the creative and cultural life of our region, and the huge impact the arts make in our everyday lives.

“There is a full programme of events, with something for everyone, whether you enjoy music concerts, going to the theatre and arts exhibitions or simply trying your hand at something new.”

Highlights include a concert to celebrate 70 years of music at the University of Wolverhampton, with an innovative performance at the city's Arena Theatre on Saturday, 6 June featuring six pianos and the University’s annual Fashion Show on Tuesday, 9 June at 4pm and 7pm at Grand Station, Wolverhampton.

University students will be taking to the stage for a range of performances including Spring Awakening by Musical Theatre students on Tuesday, 12 and Wednesday, 13 May 2015 at 7.30pm at the Arena Theatre, and a dance gala on Thursday, 28 May 2015 in the Black Box Theatre at the University’s Walsall Campus at 7.30pm.

There will also be a pot luck reading event at the Lych Gate Tavern (upstairs) on Thursday, 28 May from 6pm, where people can bring a poem or short story written by themselves or someone else to read.

In addition, #tweetfest will be running throughout Artsfest encouraging people to get involved on Twitter by creating a story, writing a poem or sharing their thought for the day in just 140 characters.

Visit www.wlv.ac.uk/artsfest for the full programme of events and use #wlvartsfest on social media.

ENDS

Photocall: The media is welcome to attend the official launch on Wednesday, 29 April 2015 at the Arena Theatre from 3.30pm. The event will feature music, dance and visual arts.
 
For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736.