BRADFORD on Avon Fringe Festival will be back with a bang this weekend, as the two-week festival will see almost 40 events take place in and around the town.

Among them is a whole host of musical delights ranging from jazz to folk and Irish punk to classical. To kick the fortnight off will be a ‘Fitz of Giggles Stand Up Comedy Night’ at the Swan Hotel on July 1.

Organisers have redesigned and rebranded the much-loved town event since it began in 2010 and their efforts this year have certainly borne fruit as highlights in the first week include the UP’s floating cinema – a innovative barge which offers free on-board film screenings and workshops.

Irish punk band, Mick O’Toole from Calne will be debuting at the festival next Friday (July 3) at the Three Horseshoes before the Rhythm Coalition take to the stage two days later at the Mount Pleasant Social Club bringing flavours of blue, R&B and soul.

Audiences will also be treated to a battle of the sexes as the Magnificent AK47, a group of bewildered, be-hatted men, take on the sassy songstresses the Bellefleurs in a singing battle bound to bring laughter in St Margaret’s Hall.

If blue and country is more your musical taste, then venture a stone throws away to the Three Horseshoes to listen to firm Fringe favourite the Venezeulan Pig Rustlers on Saturday.

As a community-based festival, organisers will also showcase the first steps of an on-going film project on the Avon Rubber Factory in a document called, To Honour The Avon.

Throughout the first week of the event, there will also be the chance for people to attend Fringe Visions – a series of film and television workshops run by award-winning filmmaker Nick Flügge.

Other highlights include a mini book festival for children, a harmonic picnic and a bell-ringing ceremony.

For more information on the full line-up, visit www.fringeboa.co.uk