IP-ART, the annual Ipswich arts festival, has been launched with a Shakespearean flavour on Ipswich Waterfront.

IP-ART, the annual Ipswich arts festival, has been launched with a Shakespearean flavour on Ipswich Waterfront.

The summer event marks the seventh year the town has brought together local talent which reflects the skills and diversified interests of performers in Suffolk's county town.

Local Shakespeare troupe The Pantaloons provided musical entertainment, challenging audience members to come up with a Shakespeare play that they hadn't written a song for.

Launching the event Judy Terry, spokeswoman for arts, culture and leisure, said that The Pantaloons represented what Ip-art was all about - local talent being given to shine and demonstrate that they could provide quality entertainment.

“The events for this year's festival, the seventh Ip-art festival are diverse and exciting and truly provide something for everyone.”

She said that one of the highlights of the event The Spectacular Dancing Tent, part of DanceEast's contribution to the programme, bursts into life on Saturday June 27 the first day of the festival. The first of its kind in East Anglia, this large mirrored wooden structure in Christchurch Park, will host morris dancers, tea dances for the over 60s and James Bond and Mamma Mia workshops!

Ipswich Music Day, which forms the central core of the music programme, will be staged on Saturday July 5 in Christchurch Park from noon until 8pm. Admission is free. Sponsored by Archant Suffolk, the event features the cream of local musical talent, specially selected to play on five different stages across the park as well as some classical music offerings in the Mansion. Ipswich Music Day is the largest free one day music festival in the East of England, which caters for every musical taste.

The seventh Ip-art festival, jointly sponsored by Archant Suffolk, runs from June 27 to July 12. Further details are on www.ip-art.com