Countdown to Coastal Currents 2015 which will celebrate art in every way this summer

The arts festival has everything from large scale bespoke pieces and performances, to stage shows and even Priory Meadow Shopping Centre converted into a huge cinema.

The opening weekend starts on Friday August 28 from 7-9pm when 17 local artists transform Bottle Alley to challenge public perception of it. Following this is a party at the Observer building from 8-11pm in the newly renovated space.

Spanish artist Isaac Cordal’s seafront sculptures will also be launched as a permanent addition to Hastings’ cultural attractions.

Saturday August 29 welcomes artist Amy Sharrocks to the Black Winkle Studio in Rock-a-Nore with her award-winning Museum of Water and invites the public for three days to think about and even donate water. Plus on bank holiday Monday everyone is invited to take part in a “mass fall” into the sea at 3pm. Bring a towel and meet at the Stade Hall, hot drinks provided.

There is a kids workshop on the Stade Open Space from 11am run by Radiator Arts where they can make a Coastal Currents kite.

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 also sees film taking over at Electro Studios with screenings from talented film makers from all over the world.

In the evening, Yumino Seki brings the complete version of Manjusaka as part of Stade Saturdays at 8.30pm, following guitar virtuoso Paul Malsom at 7.30pm.

The middle weekend of the festival gets underway with Open Studios and the outdoor performance piece by Red Ladies. On September 5 a number of identically dressed women are planning to infiltrate Hastings to undertake a series of urgent missions. Be vigilant!

That evening, the inimitable Hunt & Darton bring their witty stage show to Stade Saturdays in their first outdoor rendition of Boredom. The film programme continues that evening with pop-up evening projections in Butlers Gap and the Super8 Quest Rites and Rituals screenings at Shoot on Site Studio in Mercatoria the following day, Sunday 6th.

The final weekend of the festival encourages visitors to view the main commission by Tod Hanson at Hastings Museum and Art Gallery. A hand-painted floor will be fitted creating an immersive viewing experience.

The festival closes on Saturday September 12 when Priory Meadow Shopping Centre turns into a huge free cinema with a screening of the premiere of Alcina Pale Shadows from 8pm. Aino Konkka from the Barefoot Opera will sing a live piece from the film followed by an introduction from the Director. www.coastalcurrents.org.uk