Every year, the Brighton Festival showcases all of the things that make Brighton stand out from the crowd – creativity, world class talent and one of a kind cutting edge performances and exhibitions.

Major International Event
Whilst us locals are always first in line, there are also swathes of tourists including a high proportion of Londoners taking advantage of the special fast, late night train service that Southern Trains put on during the three weeks of the festival so that they can catch the last tube at the other end on the way home. It’s hardly surprising that London decamps to the coast though when you consider that every Brighton Dome and Festival ticket holder also gets discounted train travel with Southern Trains during the festival, so be prepared to share our city by the sea with hordes of other cultural enthusiasts for the three weeks in May.

The 2009 Festival and Anish Kapoor
This year, the Brighton Festival has appointed a Guest Artistic Director of the Festival for the first time and Anish Kapoor has taken on the role. Ideas and concepts from his work have provided the focus for the programming team plus he has created new works specifically for sites in Brighton. And, as you’d expect with Kapoor, it’s all eyecatching stuff that will really make you think. The Old Municipal Market on Circus Street has a specially created, gigantic piece formed from resin and pigment that’s titled Dismemberment of Jeanne d’Arc and is striking enough to really make its mark on the vast space. You’ll also find it hard to miss the vast Sky Mirror that is installed in Pavilion Gardens or if you’re heading out towards Patcham for a walk along the South Downs, stop and see the stunning C-Curve standing out from the surrounding landscape. All pieces are free to visit every day of the festival.

More Kapoor
There are also plenty of other exhibitions by Anish Kapoor to see throughout the Brighton Festival although you’ll have to pay to see some of them. The stand-out is Imagined Monochrome at The Basement. Only open to those 16 years and above, tickets can be bought for timed half-hourly appointments. Definitely one to see if you’re looking to experience art as well as admire it, this is without a doubt one of the Kapoor pieces that will be discussed at dinner parties across Brighton – suffice to say that you only imagine the experience of colour.

Culture By The Sea
The Brighton Festival is famed for pushing the boundaries in its role as a commissioning and producing arts’ festival and once again for 2009 there are plenty of exclusive events. Some of the highlights include world and UK premieres such as, Breaking News which marks Rimini Protokoll’s first visit to the UK and commissioned pieces by the festival including Ashes which has been choreographed by Koen Augustijnen from les ballets C de la B. Brighton Pier is also the setting for Hydrocracker’s The Erpingham Camp.

Festival Finale
The 2009 festival goes out with a bang once again this year with the Big Splash at Brighton Marina. The family friendly event includes lots of alfresco entertainment that starts at midday and ends at dusk on 24th May. From acrobatics and aerialists to puppets and pyrotechnics there’s plenty to keep everyone amused until the fantastic firework finale.

The Brighton Festival 2009 takes place 2nd May – 24th May 2009.

Festival events are being held at venues and sites across Brighton including the Concert Hall, Pavilion Theatre and Corn Exchange at the Brighton Dome, outdoor sites and public spaces plus many other venues throughout Brighton, Hove and the surrounding area. Tickets are now on sale.

Brighton Festival 2009