Internationally acclaimed soloist Jennifer Pike returns to Ipswich as part of this year’s Ip-art Festival.

Ipswich Star: A packed Christchurch Park during Ip-ArtA packed Christchurch Park during Ip-Art (Image: Archant)

Internationally acclaimed soloist Jennifer Pike returns to Ipswich as part of this year’s Ip-art Festival.

In demand by orchestras worldwide, the violin virtuso is back from touring the Far East and New York to perform in the June 27 concert by Ipswich Orchestral Society.

“To see how she has matured and developed as an artist is a revelation. She obviously loves coming back to us and the feeling is entirely mutual,” says IOS conductor Adam Gatehouse.

Pike will play two vibrant virtuoso pieces for violin by Saint-Saens and Rozsa in a programme which also includes the Easter Festival Overture by Rimsky-Korsakov and one of Tchaikovsky’s best loved symphonies, his fourth.

Ipswich Star: Lucy Kay will perform at Picnic in the Park at Ip-ArtLucy Kay will perform at Picnic in the Park at Ip-Art (Image: Archant)

Her performance is one of many highlights of this year’s Ip-art, organised by Ipswich Borough Council and various partners.

Running from today to July 21, there’s something for everyone including Ipswich Music Day in Christchurch Park, the UK’s biggest one-day free music festival. For classical music fans, there’s a concert picnic in the park.

Also bound to draw huge audiences are the Indian Mela and Global Rhythms and madcap comedy team the Pantaloons who are offering twice the mirth this year with performances of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in Holywells and Christchurch parks.

Shakespeare in Suffolk, set in Christchurch Mansion, sees the Bard’s touring company arrive in Suffolk in the year 1596. Expect plague, spies and playwrights.

Ipswich Star: Open air cinema forms part of Ip-ArtOpen air cinema forms part of Ip-Art (Image: Archant)

For the first time, a skateboarding competition will enable youngsters to show off their talents, while guided walks and a circus workshop add to the fun. An open-air film day at ITFC, the Ipswich Jazz Festival, street markets and bags of performance and visual arts treats also round-out the line-up.

“We’re really looking forward to another exciting festival which has some traditional favourites, like Music Day and the Mela, and some new events like the Jazz Festival,” says Bryony Rudkin, Ipswich Borough Council’s culture portfolio-holder.

“There is someone for everyone over the next few weeks - film, music of all kinds, literature, art, theatre and comedy. Ip-art is a highlight of the Suffolk cultural calendar and many of the events are free. I would like to thank all those who sponsor and support the festival and those who work hard to make it happen.”

For full details of what’s on over the coming weeks, click here.