Festival director Mary Lou Aleskie (pictured at left) and programming director Cathy Edwards unveiled the 12th annual Arts & Ideas Festival at a press event Wednesday.

This year's festival, scheduled for June 9 to June 23, includes more of an international focus than last year, more dance, and an expansion of events into Fair Haven and the Long Wharf pier.

This year's theme, "A World Reimagined," is intentionally open-ended, said Aleskie. Some would call it a dance-a-thon, or a tribute to African diaspora. Aleskie urged visitors to find their own path, and theme, through the unending array of theater, dance, music and family fun, much of which is provided for free.

When funding for New Haven's prized summer festival was slashed in the governor's budget, organizers got a scare. But the funds were reinstated by the legislature's Appropriations Committee after lobbying from New Haven's delegates. The final state budget hasn't been approved, but "we're very hopeful that [funds] will sustain the remainder of the process," Aleskie said.

She presented a host of activities. Details are dazzling, and all the events -- including a host of free walking and biking tours -- didn't even fit into the brochure.

Here are some highlights.

Opening night: New York director Spike Lee hits the stage, narrating and sharing memories as Terence Blanchard, back from last summer by popular demand, plays the soundtrack to "When the Levees Broke."

Personal performance: By appointment only, Cell, "an ambitious hour-long work driven by observations of urban pedestrians and street life," is performed to one individual via instructions delivered to a cell phone. Performed by the Headong Dance Theater, and by you.

Floating woodwinds: The festival expands to the waterfront, as this 195-foot floating theater and gallery (pictured) anchors at the Long Wharf Pier and on the Quinnipiac River in Fair Haven for free evening concerts.

Dance: For the first time, one of the free weekend shows on the Green will be dance, not music. Tamango, an urban tap dancer, takes stage on the Green June 16. Also for the first time, the festival will include a full-length classical ballet-- Giselle, by Nina Ananiashvili and the State Ballet of Georgia, making its U.S. debut. Dancers, including an acclaimed company from Siberia, will hold masters classes for the public.

Free concerts: Angelique Kidjo on June 10; Cyro Baptista & Beat the Donkey, June 17.

The list of arts, coupled with ideas events that illuminate them, goes on. Brochures will be available starting Thursday on this website, which includes instructions on how to book tickets ahead of time by donating $100.

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