Around 240,000 people flocked to Birmingham City Centre this weekend as it hosted its most successful ArtsFest event to date.

 

Sunday, the final day of Birmingham’s ArtsFest literally rocked when it closed on a high with a Rock Concert in Centenary Square, attended by around 15,000 people.

 

There was a rousing performance from the Levellers at KerrangFest, who have just released their first new album for three years – ‘Letters from the Underground’, treated the crowd who had a mix of new songs and favourites such as ‘What a Beautiful Day’ and ‘One Way.’

 

Earlier on in the day Chamberlain Square there was standing room only as people were entertained by the Scanlon School of Irish dancers in the colourful costumes and later belly dancing. In Victoria Square crowds were thrilled by the Viennese El Diabolero – a comedy Diablo that had children literally shrieking with enjoyment.

 

The Museum and Art Gallery saw a staggering 4,189 visitors through the doors and were treated to choirs and dance workshops. Brindleyplace crowds were entertained by enchanting Indian dance, whilst in the Pavilions shoppers were treated to Opera and Belly Dancing in the High Street.

 

Amongst the many highlights on Saturday was the Classical Fantasia in Centenary Square attended by 25,000 people. The concert featured the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Birmingham Opera Company with extracts from Puccini’s La Boheme, and Bizet’s Carmen, as well as the ever-popular Star Wars theme. The evening drew to a close with a stunning fireworks display.

 

The centrepiece of Friday night was the stunning spectacle of the Light Night event when more than 200 artworks from the city’s collections were projected onto the Council House in Victoria Square. The crowds were transfixed as the work of the Pre-Raphaelites and famous Old Masters turned the Council House into a vast canvas.

 

Another attraction was the premiere of the ‘World’ version of the internationally acclaimed show Of All The People In All The World by Birmingham-based theatre group Stan’s Cafe. In the show, every individual on the planet is represented by a single grain of rice – now over 6.7 billion.

 

Councillor Ray Hassall, Cabinet member for Leisure, Sport and Culture said ‘This year’s ArtsFest has been the best yet. The breadth of performances and events has shown what a lively and creative city Birmingham is. The huge crowds have shown that the council can successfully bring the arts to people who wouldn’t normally visit theatres and concert halls, as well as those who do.”