Birmingham’s ArtsFest got off to a spectacular Glastonbury style start with the weather undetered revellers, no mud, but they still danced and enjoyed the evening’s free entertainment as organisers handed out plastic macs to crowds.

 

Throughout the evening around 20,000 people braved the rain to make the evening success in spite of the weather.

 

The centrepiece of the night was the stunning spectacle of the Light Night event when more than 200 artworks from the city’s collections were projected onto the Council House in Victoria Square. The crowds were transfixed as the work of the Pre-Raphaelites and famous Old Masters turned the Council House into a vast canvas.

 

Rosetti’s flamed haired Proserpine stood 45 feet high (13.7 metres) before Bellini’s Maddona and Child completely filled the front of the building. But it was The Holy Grail Tapestries by Birmingham born Pre-Raphaelite, Sir Edward Burne-Jones that was the most breathtaking as it completely enveloped the great Victorian façade.

 

In Centenary Square revellers happily danced to the sounds of the Reggae Rockz concert featuring Gabbidon, formerly of famous local band Steel Pulse along with Yaz Alexander and the Drum Show Case.

 

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery saw nearly 1,000 people through its doors to see surreal performances and sound installations. The candlelit dinners were a complete sell out as visitors dined in the elegant surroundings of the Edwardian Tea Room, whilst many just took in the artworks late into the evening.

 

Cllr Ray Hassall, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture said, “Tonight has seen a spectacular start to this year’s ArtsFest. The Light Night events and projections have transformed the city centre and Stan’s Cafe has fascinated audiences with their thought provoking show. It is looking like this could be the most exciting and successful ArtsFest to date. The weather was no barrier to people’s enjoyment.”

 

Birmingham-based theatre group Stan’s Cafe presented their UK premiere of the ‘World’ version of their show ‘Of All The People In All The World’. The show, where every individual on the planet was represented by a single grain of rice each, played to a capacity audience at the AE Harris factory in the Jewellery Quarter.

 

BBC Radio 4’s The Archers received two prestigious plaques on the Broad Street Walk of Stars, one of which was for the actor Norman Painting who has played the role of Philip Archer since the show began in 1950. Whilst, locally born Willard Wigan was overwhelmed as families crowded into the Council House to see the exhibition of his world famous micro sculptures.