Get ready for Bognor Rox 2010

Dates for this free event, which will be celebrating its 20th year, have been set at July 23, 24 and 25.

Not only has a third day been added to the programme in their celebratory year but there also plans to expand the popular 'Fringe' area along the seafront back towards the pier.

With more than 50 bands, nearly 200 artists and 30,000 spectators involved in Rox 2009, next year's festival is hoping to break its attendance records again.

Growing audience

It is a far cry from its first event two decades ago which attracted an audience of just 150 people which was set up in a bid to address the lack of live venues in the town.

To date, thousands of bands and artists have performed at the annual free festival and the number of spectators and workshop participants over the years is estimated to be over 500,000.

Businesses have also benefited from this major annual event; in 2001, Dr Andrew Clegg of the University of Chichester calculated the festival had generated 2 million worth of trade for the local economy for that year alone.

For 2010, its commitments to community arts remain as strong as ever with plans for 'Rox Sessions' under way.

Workshops

This includes drums, guitar and keyboards will no doubt be as popular but workshops in DJ/beat box, singing, brass/woodwind/strings, and drama/musical performance are all being put forward for the New Year.

Live gigs are also being re-introduced with a series of branded live 'showcases' which will be hosted at a number of venues throughout the town as Rox are keen to re-invigorate their support and help promote live music in the Bognor area.

From their new offices on the Bognor campus of the university, Steve Goodheart said: "The last two years have been brilliant for us as an organisation and we've been overwhelmed by the support that University, Butlins and many others given us.

"We've entered in to new, positive dialogues with Arun District Council and Bognor Town Council and our partnerships with John Wiley & Son, Chichester College, The Observer Group."

Get involved

Butlins has been a major supporter of Rox for the last two years and resort director Jeremy Pardey is keen to maintain the link.

"The annual festival is a major event for the town and the region and it plays a big part in putting Bognor Regis firmly on the map.

"The event dovetails perfectly with our community engagement programme and we all wish Rox a huge success for 2010 and the years beyond."

Anyone interested in helping, performing or getting involved with Rox Music & Arts, should email [email protected] or log on to

www.the-rox.com

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