FEATURING 130 events with artists and performers from more than 20 countries and using 25 venues in Brighton, Hove and Sussex, the theme of this year’s festivities is story telling.
Starting with the children’s procession, the festival promises a feast of art, music, dance and theatre that reflects the diversity of not only the world’s cultures but also Brighton itself.
Guest director, the West African singer and musician Rokia Traore, said; “Each of us has a story to tell, a story to protect, a story to cherish”
“As Guest Director, I set out to bring new voices to the city to tell their stories. Understanding other cultures is so important to the world that we live in and it brings me great joy to shed light on some unexpected voices through this opportunity. I hope that through the Festival, visitors listen to stories from far away and from right next door. Stories with characters and ideas you never could have dreamed of, stories that touch you, thrill you, bring you happiness and perhaps move you to experience life in a different way.”
“I am honoured to share my own stories and I’m filled with joyous anticipation to be Guest Director for this wonderful gathering of music, art, words, dance and performance. My hope is that the Festival gives everyone a new story to hand down for generations to come.”
The Mali-born performer will bring three shows to Brighton throughout May – opening with her blues rock band. A theatrical/music project Dream Mande:Djata is structured around the West African tradition or oral history storytelling. Her third offering Dream Mande: Bamanan Djourou has a choir and orchestra staging traditional Malian melodies plus their take on contemporary performers like Bob Marley.
Taking the festival out to people will feature in a series of events called Our Place in the communities of Hangleton and Whitehawk.
Kneehigh Theatre Company will present Dead Dog in a Suitcase – a hilarious take on the Beggar’s Opera and Brighton-based Spymonkey will celebrate their 20th anniversary with Cooped in partnership with Worthing Theatres.
The British Paraorchestra will stage the Nature of Why merging dance and live music and Chineke! will celebrate BME talent with music from the 1920’s including Gershwin, Copland and Weill.
Other highlights include an appearance by author Ben Okri, Grammy award winner Neneh Cherry and comedian Ruby Wax.
Andrew Comben, Chief Executive of Brighton Festival and Brighton Dome said: “It has been such a privilege working with Rokia, her team and the artists she’s bringing from Mali. We look forward to learning from her unique perspective and hope visitors to Brighton and loyal Festival-goers will enjoy three weeks of engaging and inspiring cultural events. This year we’re pleased to extend our programme across Sussex in a new partnership with Worthing Theatres and continue to reach out further across Brighton & Hove. In these uncertain times it’s important to appreciate the value of stories from near or far, and to come together as a community.”
Festival tickets are now on sale to members and go on sale to the public on February 22. Over 100 performances cost less than £10 and many are free.
For full details of all events, click here: