Inside Out Dorset launches in Poole

The festival takes place from 14 to 22 September, and the opening weekend on Poole Quay will feature the following free installations and performances:

· …Sodade…, Cirque Rouages (France), 7.45pm. At twilight, French company, Cirque Rouages, presents an enchanting show with endlessly turning wheels, tightrope performances and acrobats telling a story of migration and memory.

· The Actual Reality Arcade, Matthew Harrison (UK), Friday 4pm – 9pm, Saturday 12pm – 9pm. Inspired by classic arcade games, this is an interactive game zone. Pilot a spaceship across the galaxy to survive an onslaught of aliens in Defender, or shoot them down in the Space Invaders Gallery.

· Rock the Boat Street Guitars, Friday 4pm – 9pm, Saturday 12pm – 9pm. Five old sailing dinghies have been up-cycled into mini-stages and will be set up along Poole Quay. The boats provide sculptural shelter for acoustic guitars and ukuleles, which passers-by can play.

Kate Wood, co-artistic director from Inside Out, commented, “We are looking forward to welcoming artists from all over Europe to perform in our distinctive county. The opportunity to present so many premieres by companies that have never worked in the UK before is very special. And with a host of new commissions, it makes this a festival not to be missed.”

Justin Hundley-Appleton, manager at Poole BID, added, “We’re really looking forward to the return of Inside Out this year. It is always a quirky event on the calendar and it’ll be great to see some interesting installations throughout Poole Quay for everyone to get involved with.”

Other performances and activities will be taking place in Weymouth, Boscombe and Dorchester during the week-long festival of arts.