Kidderminster Arts Festival starts on Saturday but residents are already in the picture.

As part of the build-up to the annual event organised by Wyre Forest District Council , an exhibition of all those who have taken part in BLOOM, the festival’s big show on the weekend of August 24-25, is taking place in the library gallery, Organisers say it’s great to see the faces of local people which have been transferred to canvas for the exhibition. If you have had your photograph included you can go and claim your image when the exhibition is finished at the end of August. Some KAF events are already sold out so it is strongly advised that people book online to avoid disappointment. Unfortunately, due to reasons beyond the organisers’ control, Dodgy, The Animals and Gordon Giltrap have cancelled their appearances at the town hall.

  •  If you are a budding actor you could gain valuable experience with FLUXX theatre who are offering a limited number of places to join their cast for their show Without Planning Permission. FLUXX are a nationally known company with a great reputation for cutting edge, interactive theatre. If you’d like to be involved, email arts@wyreforestdc.gov.uk. You will need to be available for rehearsals on both evenings August 21 and 22 and for the show on the August 23.
  •  If you have young children, don’t miss two fantastic theatre productions. The Selfish Crocodile by Blunderbus theatre takes place on Saturday at the town hall and Small Worlds from Mimika is at the town hall music room on Wednesday, August 15. Tickets are still available for both. n KAF is lucky to be working with a range of local partners who are crucial to making the festival a success. The Boars Head Gallery (upstairs in the pub on Worcester Street) has become a driving force for arts in Kidderminster.
  • KAF Creatives meet there to hatch ideas and the gallery promotes a range of events and during KAF. Their first event is playing host to the first Worcestershire Film Festival and their outreach sessions. People have an opportunity to contribute memories and thoughts about cinema in the area, from 11am until 4pm on Saturday.
  •  Mouth and Music – a popular open mic night at the Boars Head – is growing in popularity. Get there early on Tuesday, August 14 to ensure a good seat. Mic sign up is at 7.30pm and the show starts at 8pm.

Local performer Sarah Tamar will be presenting Kick Off! on Thursday, August 16 from 7.30pm until 9pm. This is “The Final” for a year-long project exploring women’s relationship with football.

  •  Filmaddict will be showcasing Midlands-based talent showing 20-minute shorts and providing a great event to get together with all those involved in the film-making process.

You can book online or pay on the door on August 20 from 7pm. You can submit films by emailing kidderfilmaddict@hotmail.com or by dropping them into the Boars Head pub on Worcester Street. The Above Boards Paint Jam and Arts Market takes place on August 18 from 11am until 6pm. It’s free and open to everyone. Stall holders and artists for the paint jam can apply now by contacting gallery@boars-head- kidderminster.co.uk

  •  Mill Street subway has had a lick of paint, in preparation for the Subway Makeover. Artist Silent Hobo will be creating a bespoke piece of art for Kidderminster, thanks to fund from ReWyre. He’ll be on site from August 13, painting each day until it is finished. You can see his work at silenthobo.co.uk