A NORTH-EAST town is preparing to showcase its artistic talent as part of an arts festival’s flagship event.

Darlington for Culture (DfC), working in partnership with Darlington Borough Council’s Events team and The Forum music centre, will run an Arts Festival Showcase Day on Sunday, May 11.

It will include an arts showcase designed to celebrate the variety of arts and cultural activities in the borough and is part of the second Darlington Arts Festival.

Co-ordinated by Darlington for Culture, the day will include stalls and workshops and live entertainment, including music and dancing, throughout the day, organised by the Forum.

Providing entertainment on the day will be the School of Rock and Pop, a Darlington-based company that provides music education for young people aged nine to 16.

Its tutors and bands will be performing at the event and will be on hand at their stall in the Market Place to give advice and provide more information about what they do.

DfC artistic director Yvonne Preston, who has organised the event, said: “There has been lots of interest and we have bought together in excess of 55 stalls, a showcase of arts, crafts and courses that are on offer around the town.

“We hope that people come down to see what is on offer.

“There will be information tables and people to talk to as well as a workshop by Scrap Studioarts and food, music and dance.”

The event is being held in Horsemarket and the Dolphin Centre from 11am to 4pm.

For more information about the festival, visit darlingtonforculture.org