ArtsFest , Birmingham's annual free arts bonanza is the the kind of event that should have folks flocking from across the known world to take advantage of two days of free quality arts events. 400 events, 1,500 artists, 250 organisations. However, strangely enough, the event seems to make barely a dent beyond Birmingham itself.

Nevertheless, if you live in Birmingham, then this ArtsFest might remind you why. If you live elsewhere, then you should get on a train and get yourself to Birmingham for the weekend of the 14th - 16th September and marvel at what the city has to offer. And if you write for the national press, damn you, then you should bloody well write about this extraordinary event and encourage people to come. Really there's no excuse to miss it.

Where else can you wander from hearing 12 piece Balkan jazz bands to bonkers performance poetry, from Portuguese Fado to the Birmingham Royal Ballet, from street dance to giant walk-through sculptures made of air and light, and all for free?

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