Punch Records have revealed the theme for the 2009 BASS (British Arts and Street Sounds) Festival - “Inspired by Africa and Africans.”

The aim of this year’s theme is celebrate and explore Africa’s influence on the arts scene. Working with mainstream and grassroots organisations, we will also be encouraging a broad range of audiences to participate in and experience the global impact of African cultural expression.

BASS 09 isn’t just about djembe drumming! We will be celebrating the wealth of African talent present in the UK through international artistic exchange, major presentations of contemporary work, new installations, artist lounges, concerts and masterclasses.

They’re also open for comissions for the festival, welcoming “from any art form (music, film, fashion, visual art, theatre, dance, etc) but will favour those that have a bias towards urban or black forms of expression or content.” In the past these have included:

• Grime theatre show
• Photographic exhibition of Hip Hop legends
• Film screening and Q&A with graffiti legends Henry Chalfant and Goldie
• Live Jazz and Hip Hop night with Jazzanova and Eska Mtungwazi
• Book launch on the history of Reggae Dj’s and sound systems with Dr Lez Henry
• Hip Hop and Poetry fusion night with Ursular Rucker and Ty
• Sole Elements – exhibition featuring trainer and street inspired art

Full details and application form here.