THERE'S just three weeks to go until the 7th Arts by the Sea Festival swings into action with more than 70 acts over eight days at various venues in Bournemouth.

Expect the unexpected with all manner of quirky and eclectic acts and a menagerie of performers lined-up from October 14 -21.

Events include Joe Sellman-Leava’s Labels - a moving, forensically honest story about immigration , Luke Jermay’s incredible mind bending magic tricks in Sixth Sense while Medea , Written in Rage is a unique take on the classic story performed by vocalist and dancer extraordinaire, Francois Testory and co-presented with Pavilion Dance South West.

Joan is a refreshing look at Joan of Arc , Livia Rita’s electronica Rewild album and performance is a natural explosion and heartfelt natural drug trip , while in The Dark Room, you can play the world’s first live-action text-based adventure game. Morgan & West’s Time-Travelling Magicians will amaze and astound you with their mind boggling tricks and sorcery!

While the core of the 2017 programme takes place outdoors in the gardens, town square and seafront, a wealth of talent on show at such renowned venues as Shelley Theatre and Pavilion Dance and more subterranean locations like St Peter’s Church and The Old Firestation.

Festival Goers can enjoy a free weekend at the remarkable Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum or enjoy Suddenly Last Summer, a combined creative exhibition by the class of 2017 at Arts University Bournemouth ‘s galleries. Local artist Harriet Muller explores this year’s Arts by the Sea theme, Plastic Beach , creating beautiful seascapes and creatures using recycled plastics in her exhibition Aquastic , running throughout the Festival at Pavilion Dance .

Cinema lovers will be entertained at The Ocean Film Short Sounds Film Festivals ( part of The Fringe platform ) and environmentally themed screenings , Bikes vs Cars and A Plastic Ocean at Shelley Theatre.

Party animals , young and old alike , also have somewhere to go - the award winning Big Fish Little Fish will be entertaining the under 8 s and their parents with Surf’s Up , Family Rave while the grown ups can dance the night away at the Opening Party , Glitter not Litter !