TICKETS are now on sale for the fourth Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival.

The event takes place from September 26 – October 12 and is set to be the most captivating yet.

The organisers promise something for everyone over the fortnight’s celebration of the arts from family entertainment and literature to dance and music. Kickstarting the festival will be Fuel who will be presenting The Roof with six performances over the official opening weekend.

Sound, dance and the new craze of free running are combined to create an adventure for the senses transporting the audience to another dimension. The performance takes place in a purpose built arena designed by Jon Bausor, better known for designing the Paralympics opening ceremony sets. Tickets start from £12.

One of the quirkiest highlights will be when indie band British Sea Power take their audience on a musical journey, by ferry round the islands of Poole Harbour. The sea-faring adventure ends up on Brownsea Island to perform alongside the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet. Tickets are limited. Robert Mitchell premiers his first large-scale musical work, Invocation, at the festival on September 26. The piece blends jazz, choral, classical & improvised music to capture the audience’s attention and will be performed by Mitchell’s long-standing quartet, Panacea, joined by the Grammy winning Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and young music students from both Avonbourne College & Harewood College, tickets cost £12.

Family friendly Slightly Fat Features perform their comedy cabaret combining creative stunts, audience participation and slapstick in ‘Variety Soup’. The touring troupe, made up of musicians and performers, will combine acrobatics, unicycles, juggling, live music and escapology on October 5 at the Shelley Theatre, tickets start at £12.

Carol Maund, Arts & Festival Manager said, “There’s an eclectic mix of art, literature, dance, music and family entertainment – this year’s programme is edgier than ever with some great premiers and really fantastic performances. I hope enthusiasts and art lovers alike are equally inspired.”

Other highlights will include the well loved Dodge Brothers who are returning to the festival on October 4 to deliver their unique take on Americana combined with rare silent movies, tickets starting at £8.

Toronto’s finest feminist art rock band; Vag Halen will be performing on October 9, tickets cost £10.

n For tickets and a full schedule of events visit artsbournemouth.org.uk/festival/ or 0844 576 4500.