'˜It's going to be SO great': Line-up of arts festival in Skegness revealed

This will be the ninth year running for SO Festival, with events including a giant edible map of East Lindsey in Cake Fest and a spectacular finalé performance.

“SO Festival is a brilliant event for the whole family; it’s free, accessible and all the acts are innovative, interesting and entertaining – there really is something for everyone. There’s a fantastic family feel about the festival and lots of opportunities for local people to get involved.” Lorna Fulton, festival director.

The theme for SO Festival this year is play. Together with increased opportunities for groups and schools to participate in the development of the programme and a series of new digital & gaming commissions, communities will be using their free time to play with the Festival and even bake!

Cake Fest is asking for budding bakers to claim and recreate their favourite building or place. The aim is simple; to create a 100 square metre fully-edible map of East Lincolnshire. The cake sculptures will be produced all over the region and will be placed together to create a true visual feast.

Sheesham & Lotus & ‘Son is an act that will have audiences captivated from the start. Fiddle, Banjo and Sousaphone make up the core of this outfit, complimented by Contrabass-Harmoniphonium, Harmonicas and Jaw Harps, with great harmonies.

Lighting up the town! Sparks will fly when Les Commandos Percu & Deabru Beltzak visit Skegness on for an explosive evening performance on Saturday July 1. Les Commandos Percu will present the spectacular show Danbor Talka (Clash of Drums), signifying a clash of cultures through movement, rhythm, pyrotechnics and fire.

Garsington Opera for All in partnership with SO Festival have revealed their touring opera for 2017. A presentation of Semele; a love story with a twist. Composed in 1744, Semele features some of Handel’s most exquisitely beautiful music, with soaring choruses and splendid orchestral writing enhancing this most touching and humorous opera.

Paul Grist, from Garsington Opera for All, said: “for the fifth year running school children across Lincolnshire will be given a taste of opera. During the workshops students will be working and learning about the ingredients and foundation of opera – drama, music, story-telling and expressive emotion. For many it will be their first experience of live professional singing and they will go on to perform a short piece prior to the free screening which this year will be held on Saturday, July 1.”

Festival favourites Flame Oz will be returning once again visiting market towns to work with participants to learn new skills which will be presented as part of the evenings show.

This year, SO Festival is supporting community groups in Louth and Woodhall Spa to put on their own cultural events. We hope to continue to see growth in arts and culture sector across our county and will look forward to bringing you a diverse offering in 2017. More exciting news regarding these community partner events will be coming soon.

SO Festival was awarded National Portfolio Funding from Arts Council England in 2014 with the aim to promote and present the best festival arts and entertainment to new audiences and creating new opportunities and experiences.

Aimed at a family audience, the festival remains as one of the most exciting and innovative outdoor art festivals in the UK.

Dates of the festival are from June 27 to July 2. Entry and all events at SO Festival are free with the line-up and festival programme to be released soon. SO Festival is delivered by Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure and Culture in partnership with East Lindsey District Council and Arts Council England.