THE UK’s largest festival of south Asian culture is holding a launch event in Stourbridge this weekend.

Black Country Touring has again teamed up with national arts centre Southbank Centre to bring a programme of music, art, performance and comedy together for the return of Alchemy.

An eight-day touring festival will take place at venues in Stourbridge, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton from May 20 to 28, alongside Southbank Centre’s eighth Alchemy event in London (running from May 19 to 29).

Stourbridge’s Glasshouse Arts Centre will host the Black Country Alchemy launch event on Saturday May 20 which will see the Rajasthan Heritage Band bring the vibrant landscape of the villages of Jaipur to life with a rousing ensemble made up of a trumpet, saxophone, tuba, sousaphone and trombone as well as droll drums and dancing.

Shows will take place at the Wollaston Road venue at 11am and 2pm.

Admission is £5 for adults and free for children.

For tickets or more details call the box office on 01384 399433.

For full Alchemy event listings go to bctouring.co.uk.