Coastal Currents is set for busy month ahead
Culture vultures are expected to flock to 1066 Country over coming weeks after the Coastal Currents festival kicked off in style.
Amid a storm of media attention over the discovery of the St Leonards beachfront mural by famous street artist Banksy, the launch party was held in Alexandra Park on Friday night.
There was live ukulele music, an appearance by Fiona Banner, one of the infamous Young British Artists, roving theatre performances and a talk by author Iain Sinclair on the local arts scene and the effect the Banksy furore might have.
The party marked the start of the month-long programme which includes music, poetry, talks, workshops and exhibitions of all kinds.
One of the most weird and wonderful took place in Bohemia woods on Saturday, with the Sharing of the Spring, a moonlight procession to take the ancient waters there.
Sarah Yates, one of the Coastal Currents organisers, was thrilled with the opening weekend.
She said: "It went really well. We had a lot of families come to the launch night and there was a wonderful atmosphere.
"Iain Sinclair is really interested in exploring places from a different perspective so he was the perfect speaker for the party.
"For the Sharing of the Spring we expected about 30 people and we had 150 - it really captured people's imagination and looked spectacular.
"The weekend continued with artist trails and on Tuesday some of the young people from the Xtrax youth centre, Havelock Road, put on a showcase of their film, art and animation work at Venuu in George Street.
"It's such a busy month but we believe we have put on a festival which will show the depth and diversity of the talent in this area, which is even more important now the eyes of the art world are on us," said Miss Yates.
Cllr Jeremy Birch, leader of Hastings Borough Council, added: "Coastal Currents draws on some major talent from right here in Hastings and St Leonards and is a fantastic celebration of our creativity.
"There is an event for everyone and we are pleased to be able to support the festival financially.
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Weather for Hastings
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
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