The Wonder-ful World of Brighton Festival: Week 1

Announcements, Contemporary Music, Books & Debate, Dance, Art & Film

Here are some of the remarkable shows and events running 6 to 12 May that will leave you amazed, inspired, and full of hope for a better world.

Scott Silven’s Wonders

Scott Silven is the world-renowned mentalist and illusionist ready to spread some magic through Brighton Festival 8-12 May. Prepare to be amazed at Wonders as you’re led on a journey of impossible illusion to explore “the power of wonder” in your life.

“Under the guise of reading your thoughts, Silven does something more astonishing: he refreshes your outlook” LA Times

The Wonder Panel

Illustration: Steven Lenton

On 11 May at The Wonder Panel!, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, our Guest Director and award-winning children’s author of Millions, The Astounding Broccoli Boy and more, hosts a panel with some of the most influential storytellers in a celebration of creativity and imagination. Featuring:

Cressida Cowell – bestselling author of the international phenomenon, How To Train Your Dragon.

Award-winning poet, playwright, children's author and current Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho.

Renowned contemporary cartoonist, and illustrator of the award-winning Goth Girl series, Chris Riddell.

Join them in the Concert Hall where they discuss the fantastical and wonderous and investigate the power that stories have on our happiness.

Orchestra Baobab

Celebrate half a century of iconic Afro-Cuban rhythms, infectious melodies and trademark Griot storytelling with Africa’s ‘most iconic dance band’, Orchestra Baobab

Coming to Brighton Festival following the release of their new single 50 ANS, (50 Years) from their highly anticipated upcoming album, the collective’s legendary enthusiasm, community spirit and sensational generational artistry have led them to global recognition.

Experience the rhythm and groove for yourself at the Concert Hall on 7 May for an enriching evening of incredible music... we dare you to try and keep still!

Project Female

Achieving sell-out success a year after being founded, Project Female is the Brighton-based dance company shaking up the preconceptions of youth dance theatre and challenging societal boundaries.

Their electrifying triple-bill performance, Triptych, will rumble through the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts on 11 May; a fiery fusion of contemporary and hip-hop dance mixed with multimedia, spoken word and digital dance technology conveying poignant messages about the lives of young people, and amplifying their dancers' call to inspire positive change in the world.

With special guest performance from ‘radical force’ Boy Blue Young Artists – the celebrated east London-based dance theatre collective.

The Wonder Panel is sponsored by Brighton College

Project Female is co-presented in partnership with Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts

Week One of Brighton Festival 2024 awaits

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