Sandwell Arts Festival

Organisers have unveiled a packed programme of events for the third annual festival in August.

 Some of the events include:

 * If Only I Could - Saturday August 11, 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm, West Bromwich High Street.

It is a  visually striking new piece of circus theatre about a shy young girl embarking on a journey of self-discovery. When the circus comes to town she encounters the weird and the wonderful and is soon flying high!

* Curious Cargo - Lollipop Patrol, Saturday August 11 - morning, Smethwick, afternoon, Blackheath.

With excessive enthusiasm and a slippery grip on reality, the Lollipop Patrol are here to help and hinder. Fluorescent and effervescent, the 64th emergency service, cross them at your peril! 

* Interactive Singing Workshop with Brandhall Community Choir.

* A "Ukathon" bringing together ukulele players from all over Sandwell for a mass gathering at Blackheath Library.

* World Bhangra dance world record attempt in Wednesbury.

* Family craft workshops, children's theatre performances, exhibitions, film screenings, poetry readings and dance.

Sandwell Council has again teamed up with local arts organisations to run the festival across the six towns, this year called Right Up My Street.

Most of the events will be free to attend.

Cabinet member for leisure services Cllr Linda Horton said: "The arts festival has established itself in the borough's calendar and reaches more people every year.

"I hope everyone takes the time to enjoy a festival event."

Full details of events will be included in a festival brochure on the council's website over the summer.

Festival organisers include Multistory, Black Country Touring, The Public, Sandwell Third Age Arts and Sandwell Primary Care Trust.

For more information and the full programme of the Sandwell Arts Festival, visit http://www.sandwellartsfestival.co.uk/