IPSWICH music day, open air cinema and Shakespeare on the lawn at Christchurch Mansion - these are just a handful of the highlights on offer at this year's Ip-Art festival.

IPSWICH music day, open air cinema and Shakespeare on the lawn at Christchurch Mansion - these are just a handful of the highlights on offer at this year's Ip-Art festival.

Running until July 13 the festival begins on Saturday and starts with the Children's Literature Day and Ipswich Orchestral Society in concert with Julian Lloyd Webber.

A spokesman for Ip-Art said: "The excitement is building with less than a week to go before this year's Ipswich Arts festival begins.

"Ip-art 2008 features over 50 fantastic events, including a great selection of music, film, visual arts and literature, many of which are absolutely free, and can be experienced and shared with family and friends."

Other highlights include:

Ipswich Sings on the Cornhill on Sunday June 29

The Colourdome - an amazing labyrinth of coloured tubes filled with surprise performances and music on Ipswich's Cornhill

Open air screenings of Ghost and Dirty Dancing on July 11 and 12 in Christchurch Park.

A Midsummer Night's Dream on Christchurch Mansion Lawn on July 2.

An exhibition of work by members and guests of Suffolk Craft Society from June 28 to July 12 in Town Hall Galleries.

Singer-songwriter Freddi Kofi at the council chamber, Ipswich Town Hall

Attisou Loko Adjabel playing a mix of African and Carribean influenced music on July 11 in the Town Hall

A literary lunch with Libby Purves at Admiral's House in Tower Street on June 29.

Jokers Comedy Club on July 6 at the Manor Ballroom

Michael McIntyre performing on July 10 at the Corn Exchange Grand Hall.

Art workshops and writer's café.

The Ip-Art spokesman added: "Of course the Ip-Art Festival would not be complete without Ipswich Music Day on July 6, now in its 17th year showcasing local talents on no less than six stages.

"The festival comes to a close on July 13 with the Indian Summer Mela, another free event which is not to be missed."

For more information and tickets call the Box Office on 01473 433100 or visit www.ip-art.com

Are you a fan of Ip-Art? What events are you looking forward to? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk