This year’s SPILL Festival of Performance line-up has been revealed, with more than 100 events at 22 locations across Ipswich throughout October - a third of them free.

Ipswich Star: Oblivia, Entertainment Island. Photo: Eija M�kivuotiOblivia, Entertainment Island. Photo: Eija M�kivuoti (Image: Archant)

This year’s SPILL Festival of Performance line-up has been revealed, with more than 100 events at 22 locations across Ipswich throughout October - a third of them free.

Featuring live art, installations, activism, gigs, film, discussions and radical performance and more by artists from around the world, the theme is En Masse; exploring ideas of being together, as a group, all at once.

The UK and Ireland wide SPILL National Platform, supported by the Jerwood Charitable Foundation, returns with 35 works from early makers, chosen by industry experts.

SPILL commissions this year include work from Mike Challis, Shabnam Shabazi, Shaun Caton, Martin O’Brien working with Sheree Rose and Mem Morrison. The latter’s Luminous offers local performers the chance to be involved in his world premiere, showing at the Willis Building.

Ipswich Star: Latai Taumoepeau, Ocean Island Mine. Photo: Sanja SimicLatai Taumoepeau, Ocean Island Mine. Photo: Sanja Simic (Image: Archant)

Another highlight will be the Alternative Ipswich Walking Tours, suggested by the publc earlier this year. There will be five, including an Ipswich Touch Tour, while Sweet Charity takes in the 10 best charity shops in an exploration of the town’s cultural diversity.

“We’re unleashing a big friendly beast of a programme (with) lots of world premieres and works showing in the UK for the first time. There are participatory events for the adventurous and fantastic performances that take place onstage,” said artist, curator and festival director Robert Pacitti.

There are special previews with some of the works on show ahead of the festival’s official opening on October 26.

Challis’ SoundHide is a sound installation made for Christchurch Park of recordings made in the green spaces of Ipswich to connect people with their environment. Public Record, by Justin Hopper and renowned composer Scanner, is a recorded audio tour of Ipswich Museum.

Ipswich Star: Mike Challis, Soundhide. Photo: Mike ChallisMike Challis, Soundhide. Photo: Mike Challis (Image: Archant)

The SPILL Symposium takes place at the University of Suffolk on October 26. Jude Kelly, artistic director of the Southbank, will give the opening keynote speech at the day-long event followed by a range of speakers.

“We’ve exciting projects for kids and families and an expanded focus on sound and music. Our new heritage and place strand presents homegrown projects that celebrate Ipswich.

“That’s not in any way to apologise for the beating heart of the festival which is radical work on and around the body, it’s to say you can always do this other stuff and spend different types of time together. Lots more of this year is happening on the street and in some very special temporary spaces,” added Mr Pacitti, who created SPILL in 2007.

“Be sure to check out the SPILL Dome, bringing the festival to the street in an exciting new way and offering a daily programme of art, music, kids events in the afternoon and more. Each evening features talented local performers, bands and DJs and all events in the SPILL Dome are free.”

Ipswich Star: David Hoyle and very special guests, house band Snapped Ankles perform at Saturday's Pump and Grind SPILL Party. Photo: Lee BaxterDavid Hoyle and very special guests, house band Snapped Ankles perform at Saturday's Pump and Grind SPILL Party. Photo: Lee Baxter (Image: Archant)

The dome hosts the SPILL Think Tank events. Taking the form of daily coffee mornings, these include daily talks, festival writing, SPILL TV and photography.

Mr Pacitti stresed you don’t have to be an art expert to enjoy the festival, plus with all tickets £10 or £5, a range of value passes and more than a third of the festival completely free, it’s super easy to get involved.

“We’re spending our buck in Ipswich, that feels really important. Next to that we’re bringing lots of people from around the world and around the country. This year is the third time we’ve made the festival in ipswich and it feels like coming home.”

SPILL Festival of Performance, produced by Pacitti Company, runs from October 26-30. Click here for the full programme.

Ipswich Star: Shaun Caton, Rainschemes for insomniacs. Photo: Julius G. BeltrameShaun Caton, Rainschemes for insomniacs. Photo: Julius G. Beltrame (Image: All Rights Reserved by JG Beltrame)