Arts-info.co.uk – The Performing Arts Guide

Cinemagoers have the chance to enjoy a wide array of celluloid offerings in London as the annual East End Film Festival kicks off on 23rd April.

From up-and-coming talent to larger, more established independent movies; the range of screenings at the event is set to be as diverse as any film can get.

The opening night gala on April 23rd will see the film The End – a movie directed by Nicola Collins that explores the world of her father and his friends – receive its international premiere.

Meanwhile, Sounds Like Teen Spirit – an examination of the Teenage Eurovision Song Contest by Jamie Jay Johnson – will be the last film screened at the symposium.

A range of venues will be taking part in the festival, including Cineworld West India Key, Genesis Cinema in Whitechapel, Rich Mix in Bethnal Green, Stratford Picture House, Vibe Live on Brick Lane and Amnesty International
UK Human Rights Action Centre.

Passes for each screening cost between £5 and £7.50 and are available now.

More info at www.eastendfilmfestival.com.

Bestival, the Isle of Wight’s award-winning boutique music festival, has just announced that Massive Attack will be headlining this year’s Friday night followed by Kraftwerk who take the headline spot on Saturday night. Winners of NME’s “Best Album 2008″ MGMT, and Mercury prize winners, the Klaxons will be joined by exciting up and coming acts including Fleet Foxes, Florence and the Machine, VV Brown and many more!

Bestival 2009 will be taking place from 11 until 13 September at Robin Hill Country Park in Newport, Isle of Wight. Tickets through Red Funnel cost £149 per adult and £75.75 for 13-15 year olds, and include weekend admission, camping, postage and booking fees. What’s more those aged 12 and under get in for Free! To book tickets visit www.redfunnel.co.uk/bestival

The music is only part of what makes Bestival so magical. The family friendly atmosphere and weird and wonderful events and attractions, such as the famous fancy dress carnival, the inflatable church and, new for this year, “Blastival” a spectacular pyrotechnic experience, combine to create an unparalleled out of this world experience!

Bandbacker  is a new website for unsigned bands which gives music fans the chance to vote for their favourite act and share in the winning band’s success.

Bandbacker.com

It’s a competition with the winning artist being decided on by the people that count – the fans. It’s doesn’t cost anything to become a ‘Fan’ and by doing so members of the public will be able to vote for their favourite act from the initial 100 who start out in the competition. It’s also free for artists to enter and the winner will walk away with a record deal, a UK tour and a cash prize.

The initial public vote will whittle the competition down to the top 10 acts. Then, everything is in the hands of the ‘Backers’ who will cast the final votes. There is a small one off membership fee to become a Backer and as well as exclusive voting rights they’ll also get a range of special privileges and benefits.

All of the money raised from Backer memberships will be used to support and promote the winning band to ensure their success. As Gary Dalton, Managing Director, says part of the inspiration behind Bandbacker was to give bands a fair deal; “The artists taking part in the competitions will have already been touring and recording and would have had some success. We want to help them take their success to the next level but also ensure they’ll be rewarded as they should be.”

Dalton also sees Bandbacker as an opportunity for music fans to get involved in the industry and have their say, “Bandbacker isn’t just another competition where the public can vote and job done. We want the Fans and the Backers to be there from the beginning being actively involved in supporting and promoting the winning bands, helping to shape their careers, and benefitting themselves from their involvement”.

More at www.bandbacker.com.

The only dedicated event of its kind in the world, the International Circus Arts Fair is set to take place next month in Paris.

Patronised by Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, the director of Culturesfrance, the second edition of the show will be held at the Porte de Versailles between Friday April 3rd and Sunday April 5th.

Last year’s event attracted some 8,000 visitors and almost 100 different exhibitors from the world of the circus.

As well as a full-size big top, there will be workshops for those keen to try their hand at different skills, such as tightrope walking, juggling and magic.

Meanwhile, those keen to clown around will also be catered for with live performances, short talks and working groups from a range of professionals. A number of boutiques and shops will also be present.

Tickets for the show cost €12 for adults, with concessions available for those over 60 and children under the age of 12 and can be purchased online.

Porte de Versaille is located on Paris 15e and can easily be reached by a metro heading towards Mairie d’Issy or via car. As such, those staying in Paris hotels should have no problem getting to the International Circus Arts Fair.