Previews

This is the 4th Ip-Art festival and the organisers says its becoming more and more successful and its reputation is growing.

Christchurch Mansion lawn

Vic Reeves will be showing off his paintings. Diana Quick, Jasper Fforde, Romesh Gunesekera will be giving literary readings and talks. 

Christchurch Park has Ipswich Music Day on Sun 2nd July, film screenings of Dirty Dancing and The Blues Brothers, while Christchurch Mansion lawn will have Romeo & Juliet live, a relayed screening of the The Marriage Of Figaro from Covent Garden Opera House, a production of The Railway Children and the Indian Mela.

The second Briancandy multi-media event promoting local musicians, bands and artists is taking place at the Corn Exchange. 

There's a myriad of art exhibitions, theatre and other music and dance events. Click on the Ip-Art weblinks for the full listings.

Finance

Ip-Art is put together by Ipswich Borough Council. Its marketing manager Paul Greene says the money doesn't come from council taxpayers: "It's completely self-financing with the backing of sponsors. One Railways is our biggest patron - they're hoping to promote Ipswich as a centre for arts to encourage people to come here."

Vic Reeves' artwork is at the Eyestorm Gallery

"Last year's Ip-Art was a great success. We're can't measure everything by tickets sales because a lot of events are free. There are 33,366 tickets for sale this year, but we expect around 250,000 to attend all the events."

"Ipswich Music Day attracted 30,000 people last year and that's a success in anyone's book. For ticketed events we aim to sell around 40% of seats or places."

Stacey Kent is at the New Wolsey Theatre

Future growth?

Last year the REM concert at Portman Road had the Ip-art logo attached to it, but Paul Greene says they don't want to go down that route again "Obviously REM would have happened anyway, but we don't want one single act to dominate the festival. We haven't attached ourselves to the Red Hot Chili Peppers this time. We want the festival to promote local talent and while we want to raise the level and reputation of Ip-art we don't want mega-stars."

The festival fortnight commences with the art street fair on 25th June on the Cornhill. Stalls exhibiting fine art along with street and stage entertainment present something for everyone at this Ip-art 2006 taster.

Ipswich Arts and Entertainments Box Office 01473 433100 or use the weblinks on the right>>