Top star lined up for Artsfest

Aug 24 2007 By Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

A TOP mystery pop star is being lined up to headline the UK's biggest free arts festival in Birmingham next month.

The star will be among 400 free performances in the city under the Artsfest banner from September 14 to 16.

This mystery guest will join three home grown but world famous arts groups, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Birmingham Opera Company, for a spectacular Artfest finale in Centenary Square on Saturday, September 16.

Further highlights include Birmingham's own Jasper Carrott becoming the second celebrity to be honoured on the new Broad Street Walk of Stars.

A showcase of up and coming rock bands, including Elliot Minor, for the Indie Invasion showcase.

A two day comedy festival at the Birmingham beach in Chamberlain Square,

And Birmingham's industrial and railway heritage will be celebrated by a concert call Blast featuring a steam whistle orchestra, pipe organ, fire horns all masterminded by conductors with flags on train platforms at the historic Curzon Street railway station.

A spectacular artwork which looks like a giant bouncy castle, called Levity II by designers Architects of the Air, will be on the Eastside green throughout the Artsfest.

The three day spectacular will be rounded off with a special tenth anniversary parade along Broad Street at 5.30ppm on September 16.