TWO weeks of art, performances and music will be taking over Basingstoke when the town’s annual festival returns next month.

Continuing last year’s theme of ‘art in unexpected places’ the Basingstoke Festival will bring street theatre, comedy, music, art and more to the town.

Organisers Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and its partners have this year been joined by Without Walls to grow the festival, as a part of the Touring Network Partnership.

Without Walls is a consortium of festivals and organisations dedicated to raising the profile of the UK outdoor arts sector.

Ross Harvie, arts and events manager for the borough council, said: “Being a part of an ambitious national network of outdoor art festivals and involved in a consortium with an international reputation, really helps us develop our offer for the borough during the festival.

“We are really excited to bring accessible work into the borough, showcasing more quality outdoor arts to an ever-growing audience.

“From unexpected art in our shopping centres to bold circus in our parks, this new partnership will bring excellent and exciting art not seen before in Basingstoke.”

During the two weeks, audiences will be able to see a new show from trampolinist extraordinaire Max Calaf Sevé and there will be visits from Mufti Games’ One Kid and their Dog, and The Virtual Orchestra, lots of 1980s nostalgia and the return of the popular Dance Flashmob.

As part of the festival there will also be a return of the outside cinema, which features Bohemian Rhapsody, Moulin Rouge and Mamma Mia! Here We Go.

The two weeks will conclude with the two-day music festival B Love in the War Memorial Park.

Basingstoke Festival will run from June 21 to July 7.

For a full list of events during the festival, go to

basingstokefestival.co.uk

.