BOURNEMOUTH’S Arts by the Sea Festival continues to gather pace with more acts coming thick and fast this week.

The free events at the weekend gave people a taste of the entertaining and intriguing flavour of the three-week event, with paid-for shows now making up much of the programme.

The Mutoid Waste company’s spectacular performances on Friday and Saturday night wowed the crowds.

And there were more eye-catching events including the Passeggiare a Giardino and Mr Wippy and the Conettes costume shows in the Lower gardens during the day.

Carol Maund, festival manager, said the shows this week will continue to amaze.

She said: “What we are trying to do is change the face of Bournemouth to move it on from candy floss and fairground rides.

“We’ve rested on our laurels and some tourists will go elsewhere if there’s more on offer so we need more arts as research shows it helps the economy by attracting a higher spending visitor.”

Tonight sees the Show of Strength Theatre Company perform the show Fanny and Johnnie Cradock Cook The Great American Songbook at Urban Reef.

This will provide a theatrical portrait of the Cradocks with a four course meal by the host chef.

Also this afternoon the Valise Noire Storytelling Theatre will perform The Girl and the Shoes at Pavilion Dance with a storyline drawing on tales like The Wizard of Oz and Cinderella.

Tomorrow evening Will Geiger from the Academy Award winning film studio Industrial Light and Magic hosts screenings, workshops and master classes on special effects at Pavilion Dance.

For more information see the programme, available at Bournemouth’s town centre library, and visit artsbournemouth.org.uk