The Arts Festival in Sandwell has been progressing well, with thousands of people seeing what has been on offer so far.

Al Bowlly’s Croon Manifesto had another successful run out on Friday. The dancers from Sandwell’s Perrforming Arts were magnificent, their timing and dancing was superb, showing how much they were enjoying being part of this thoroughly professional show.

As on Thursday the show ended with a tea dance. There is something quite wonderful in the way the show moved from being a spectacle which people watched into the band playing for the tea dance with ‘Al Bowlly’ singing, which the same people then became part of, it is like entering the era.

On Saturday there were two other BCT programmed events that people were treated to – with performances at The Windmill Centre in Smethwick and at the market in West Bromwich.

The people of Smethwick were treated to Eternal Taal, with their unique blend of the traditional and modern Bhangra. Even if their was not a soul in sight as their show began, as soon as the dhol drums sounded out across the space, people began to assemble. There was great moment as the Bhangra remix of Michael Jackson’s Thriller began to play and the dancers took of again.

Meanwhile in West Brom, BCT regulars, Circus Berzercus were entertaining shoppers there. Their ‘short’ sets got longer and longer as the audience wouldn’t let them go – well watching some one juggle with your shopping, has got to be more interesting than just buying it – as long as they don’t drop it.