It’s Wednesday September 2, the programme launch of SPILL Festival of Performance 2014. So coveted are the precious programmes, they even get a round of applause!

These little black books cover some of the delights of this year’s festival theme, ‘Surrender’, and to quote Robert Pacitti, SPILL’s festival director, “It’s the future of art and yes it’s in Ipswich.”

Yes, Ipswich.

Further to this surprise is the first event in the programme, Siren, happening at Ipswich Arts Centre (formally St.Clement’s Church). After years of campaigning, Ipswich finally appears to have its own arts centre! Great news for students and other concessions (those with a bus pass) is that you can see and experience Siren, a beautiful choral spinning spectacle of moving mechanical forms, at Ipswich Arts Centre, opening on October 29 at 6.30pm, for FREE!!!

It’s the future of art and yes it’s in Ipswich

Other curious highlights include Television Lounge at the old police station in Ipswich town centre (who knew there was a nuclear bunker tucked away in there?) And like a tin of Ronseal, Naked Boys Reading, does exactly what it says on the tin (also on at the police station).

There are over 100 events over five days, so if the aforementioned events aren’t floating your boat, there’s plenty more to view in the programme –  available to view below.

Sharing is caring, so spread the word: SPILL is about to knock Ipswich sideways!

Photography: Steven Hicks