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ArtsFest , the UK’s largest free entertainment festival hits the streets, squares, theatres, pubs and open spaces in Birmingham from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th September 2006. Hundreds of performers from the world of music, dance, theatre and film come together for the festival that attracts over 120,000 each year, to entertain in a spectacular showcase for all to enjoy. ArtsFest now have an opportunity for Volunteers to get involved with the best of the city’s talent as they take to the stage and street.

So inspired by ArtsFest, more than 150 volunteers from cleaners to accountants drop their tools and abandon their every day professions to help with the event. Volunteers are required to work in a variety of exciting roles such as looking after artists, marketing and promotion and production roles between now and the event. As well as great fun, it’s a valuable experience for many volunteers going on to forge careers in the arts sectors and event management.

Perhaps the most dedicated volunteer to date, Judith De Freitas has volunteered for ArtsFest for the last 6 years. Only a move back to Madeira, where she is about to start her own free arts festival has prevented her from taking part this year. If you are interested in becoming an ArtsFest 2006 volunteer please contact Rose Manley on 0121 464 8310 or e-mail rose_manley@birmingham.gov.uk

This year the festival is launched with an explosion of colour, dance and music as BhangraFest takes to the main stage in Centenary Square on Friday 8th September. Performances then take place in the city’s main squares and venues over the weekend. Saturday evening sees the return of Big Voice for the second year running. The innovative community choral project features up to 1,000 singers from across the region ranging from professional choirs such as the Ex Cathedra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus to amateur singing groups and individuals who will perform a specially commissioned composition.

Other highlights include the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party hosted by Birmingham Rep, The Visual Arts Village on Eastside Green; arts and craft workshops at Brindleyplace and a 25metre high acrobatics display by High Strung Aerial Dance from Toronto. Also look out for the Young People’s Showcase and BBC Blast bus in Victoria Square where children can experiment with their own broadcasts. For the second year Birminghammusic.com present the best of Birmingham’s up and coming bands, as they battle it out for a prime slot on the main stage.

Full programme details will be available later in the year. For up to the minute information about ArtsFest join our mailing list , visit the ArtsFest website at www.artsfest.org.uk or call the ArtsFest Office on 0121 464 5678.