Cash boost for festival

Jul 10 2006 By Gurdip Thandi, Birmingham Mail

AN EVENT which sees entertainers from Europe and Africa flock to the Black Country has been boosted by a £30,000 grant.

More than 20,000 people are set to be entertained by the six-day Streets Alive festival, which brings summer fun to the streets of Walsall.

Entertainers from Europe and Africa are among the performers who are set to wow the crowds in and around Park Street.

Coun Louise Harrison, Walsall cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "We are very proud to bring six days of the very best national and international artists who will be performing in the streets of Walsall for free.

"We are delighted to have secured a £30,000 grant from Arts Council England which will help improve the annual festival. It's helped us ensure a strong international line-up for the festival.

"We have built up a very strong reputation over the past few years for street entertainment.

"It's also good to see that there will be workshops where people can create their own puppets, learn circus skills and do a range of other things."

Performers will take to the streets from 11am and 3pm on each festival day from August 4.

Acts in the line-up will include the Black Eagles from Tanzania who put on an acrobatic show set to music with Ghanaian juggler and circus artist Emmanuel the Magnificent.

For more information or to request a brochure, call the Walsall Council events team on 01922 650311.

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