Dancers are a class act at Wolverhampton Artsfest launch
Young dancers wowed crowds at a busy shopping centre as they showed off their star quality.
Wolverhampton-based Jai Jashn community dance group were among an assortment of local talent who put on a day-long performance at the Mander Centre at the weekend as part of the city's annual Artsfest.
Shoppers stopped in their tracks, put down heavy bags and watched in delight as a succession of song and dance acts took to the stage.
The festival, now in its third year, celebrates the cultural life of the Black Country and emerging artists whose work is made in the region. Both professional and student work will be on show in more than 20 venues across the city.
Organiser Fran Richards said: "What better place for our public launch than here in the city centre in front of hundreds of shoppers?
"We want to bring arts to the people and show that the arts can take place anywhere - it doesn't have to be a big scary stage.
"It's gone down really well.We've had crowds four-people deep watching from the next floor up and we've had to move the tables to fit in all the people on the ground floor who wanted to watch.
"People have had a taster from performers who are going to be part of the main festival and also younger talent who will be the stars of future artsfests."
Children were able to play in a sandpit and deckchairs area sponsored by the Mander Centre for the duration of the three-week festival.
The Grand Theatre has teamed with the University of Wolverhampton, Arena Theatre and other arts organisations in the city to celebrate Artsfest throughout June.
The ambitious event includes more than 70 events in the fields of performing arts, poetry and literature, film, media, art and design.
As part of the Grand Theatre programme, Brummie comic Don Maclean tops a bill at the Grand Music Hall on Wednesday(14th) which also features panto dame Ian Adams and Gill Jordan, best known for her alter-ego Doreen.
Other Grand highlights will include comedian Stewart Lee, Mod musical All Or Nothing featuring the music of The Small Faces, and flamboyant musical La Cage Aux Folles with West End stars John Partridge and Marti Webb.
Highlights at other venues include Wolves Are People Too at the Arena Theatre on Saturday, free event, Reynard The Fox: The Fabularium, at the Mander Centre on Friday(16th). Illumaphonium is a free music installation at Light House Media Centre between noon and 8pm on Saturday(17th). A full list of events can be found in the brochure at participating venues or online at wlv.ac.uk/artsfest.
