Igniting that creative spark

With 80 events taking place from June 28 to July 2, there is something for everyone. Go to portsfest.co.uk for more.

Carnival time

Join hundreds of young people from schools and youth groups parading to the theme of Ignite.

This explosive free event takes place on June 29, from 6pm to 7.30pm and starts from Governor's Green, Pembroke Road. It is the culmination of a Mardi Gras project supported by Arts Council England working in partnership with leading experts from the New Carnival Company who have been developing the personal creativity of young people, teachers, and youth group leaders.

An eruption of sound

The Multi Story Orchestra perform The Volcano on July 2, from 6pm in Isambard Brunel Car Park (Level 6), Alec Rose Lane.

With beats bouncing off concrete car park walls, this celebration of all things percussion is a truly unmissable eruption of sound. From lava and surging to eruption and ash, they tell the story of the life of the Volcano, through an amassed percussion and vocal ensemble.

The Volcano combines the music of Philip Glass and Nebojsa Zivkovic with completely new pieces. Tickets £12/£10.

A poetic engima

An Evening with Brian Bilston at Groundlings Theatre on June 28 has already sold out, but there may still be another date added.

Brian has been described as ‘the Banksy of poetry’ and ‘Twitter’s unofficial Poet Laureate’. With more than 400,000 followers on social media, he has become truly beloved by the online community. As part of his brand-new show Brian will perform poetry from his latest collection – Days Like These: An Alternative Guide to the Year in 366 Poems as well as You Took the Last Bus Home; Diary of a Somebody and more.

Spooky tale reimagined

Kate Mosse’s The Ship of the Dead – Motion Comic World Premiere is at SH9, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on June 30, 7pm. Tickets £8. Exclusive to Ports Fest and narrated by the bestselling author herself, the story was originally published in her collection The Mistletoe Bride and Other Haunting Tales. this classic ghost story has been reimagined by a local team of internationally celebrated creatives, including acclaimed author, Greg Mosse, comic book legend Andy Lanning and Emmy-nominated producer Lou Doye.

‘O brave new world’

After the sell-out run of Macbeth at Portchester Castle last year, The Theatre of Dark Encounters return with a magical open-air performance of Shakespeare’s final play, The Tempest on June 30 and July 1-2, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets £18/£16.50.

On a remote island, Prospero and his daughter watch from their home in a ruined castle, as a ship is wrecked in the harbour; but this is no accident, and this is no ordinary island. As the survivors come to discover, magic does exist...

Made up as he goes along

Portsmouth Keys: An Evening with Harry the Piano is at New Theatre Royal on June 29 from 7pm. Tickets £18/£15. The extraordinarily talented musician’s breath-taking creativity has earned him the reputation as one of the most gifted improvising pianists in the world. Who else can spontaneously reinvent Michael Jackson in the style of Mozart, recreate a night at the Groucho club through the TV themes of its actor members, and improvise a seamless medley of audience requests ranging from James Bond to Shostakovich via West Side Story?

Tinkling the ivories

Portsmouth Keys is a project with multiple events and workshops throughout Ports Fest which all centre around our connection with the piano.

Part of this is Pianos for the People – with pianos situated in three public settings for the public to play, or simply be inspired by hearing others play. Visit on June 29 and 30 and you may be lucky enough to hear the inspirational ‘pianist without borders’ Fabio Tedde. The pianos will be at Cascades Shopping Centre, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Portsmouth International Port.

A real fixer-upper

The Crow House is a free show at Gunwharf Quays at 1pm and 3pm on July 1. A derelict house. The middle of a street. In a battle of wills and skills, three diverse characters appear and try to gain a room inside. In a choreographed frenzy of acrobatics, silks trapeze, hat juggling and slapstick the three characters begin to transform the battered house into a home. There’s only one problem – a furiously territorial bird has taken up residence inside. This eclectic mix of circus, puppetry and music is a silent-movie-inspired show from Circo Rum Ba Ba.

Revel in diversity

Group Show is an exhibition at Aspex Gallery in Gunwharf Quays which explores how diverse communities can intersect and coexist with one another. Colours and shapes layer together to represent the various walks of life in our local communities. The exhibition includes works from five emerging and acclaimed artists – Rakibul Chowdhury, Eileen Cooper, Alice Hayes, Uduehi Imienwanrin, and Janet Sainsbury – whose compelling portraits display moments of care and invite for slow contemplation. Entry is free and Aspex is open daily 11am-4pm.

Believe in others

Ignite the Phoenix events take place every day throughout Ports Fest at various locations. They are free, but require a ticket.

432-Nomads will be taking you on a journey. An eclectic collective of local artists from all walks of life – Pompey born to the ones creating a new home here: migrants, refugees and asylum seekers brought together with support from local schools. All of them come together to bring you vibrant and expressive art, music, dance, poetry and more.