Stephen Munn blogs about Derby Festé 2014

Once again Festé is upon us and I am delighted to say that this fantastic cultural highlight for Derby is in terrific shape both artistically and financially. For the first time in the events eight year history Festé has the backing it needs to seriously contend as one of the leading outdoor arts festivals in the UK.

The on-going partnership with UK Festival producers Without Walls has ensured that the 2014 programme is one of the strongest yet. Over the 26th & 27th September audiences will be thrilled and charmed by artists who are based here in Derby as well as companies traveling from mainland Europe.

The spectacular Spanish company Voalá will headline the festival with their truly jaw-dropping aerial ballet Mauré performed high above the audiences heads – dare to look up! International DJ sets including Da Sunlounge (Friday night) and DJ Woody (Saturday night) are guaranteed to get the Market Place crowd partying into the night.

The creative partners recognise the importance of investing in local talent and that's why we have commissioned for the first time two local companies – Lostboys and Babbling Vagabonds - to produce two new pieces of work for Festé 2014.

What I love about the Festé weekend is that I can walk through familiar streets and see something that completely blows me away, making me laugh out loud and see our city in a different light. There is something for everyone this year and I know that the programme has the potential to touch everyone who comes along.

http://www.derbyfeste.com/