The last time performance company Generik Vapeur and Brighton-based arts organisation ZapArt came together, a group of sharp-suited performers with blue painted faces ran amok in the streets of Brighton, rolling barrels and wielding flares.

The time before that, they painted a procession of white cars the colours of the rainbow and hung them from a colossal clothes line with giant pegs whilst peppering the crowd with ticker tape. If we can learn one thing from these collaborations, it is this: when they get together, we should take notice.

In March, residents of Newhaven were astounded to see a huge camera on wheels rolling down the town’s streets. A band riding a tractor followed, and as people came out to investigate, performers rounded them up to have their photos taken.

The event, titled La Photo Communale, was Generik Vapeur’s first foray into interactive art in Newhaven. Community involvement was paramount, and as one local policeman noted, “I’ve worked on this beat for more than 15 years and it’s the first time I’ve seen people smiling.”

“As part of Generik Vapeur’s outreach work, they’ve engaged with the community to give them the opportunity to be part of a large-scale international spectacular event,” explains Veronica Stephens, of Zap Arts.

The camera-based frivolity acted as a taster of sorts to the shenanigans to come in Newhaven Cormorant! – a new European Zone of Artistic Projects (ZEPA) event which promises an outdoor spectacle the likes of which has never been seen before.

“It’s a site-specific processional piece, which means Generik Vapeur have taken the harbour and town centre as a canvas and worked various installations into it, incorporating elements of the architecture of the port and its infrastructure into the show,” continues Stephens.

“It starts off with the unveiling of a huge photograph. The audience progress to the harbour and will visit various installations and performances along the way. Generik Vapeur wanted to use both land and water, so there will be performances and activity in the harbour and the quays… I don’t want to give too much away, but pyrotechnics and aerial work will be involved.”

Initially a street festival triumvirate under the banner Art’Urb, the European Zone of Artistic Projects (ZEPA) has grown to embody nine partners spread across the south of England and Northern France. By working with two associate performance companies – England’s NoFit State Circus and France’s Generik Vapeur – the collective’s remit is to develop creative exchanges between local people and artists in a variety of large-scale, community-driven events.

“The work of ZEPA is very much about involving the community in creative work and building capacity in an area that is in need of regeneration. Hopefully the event will boost Newhaven – it’ll draw new audiences to the town and give it a renewed vibrancy. That will leave a legacy so that future activities can take place in the same way,” explains Stephens.

“The Newhaven Youth Marching Band, the Tubthumpers from Lewes and the Bonfire Society are involved, alongside local artists such as Christian Funnell –he created the cormorant statue in the harbour – who has given a lot of inspiration for the theme of the project. The harbour master is taking part too, piloting one of the boats.”

Local playwright Sarah Clifford will premiere a section of her new play about the 1942 Second World War Dieppe landings and the Newhaven Community Choir will be performing a selection of traditional fisherman songs to add an “arts festival” air to the evening’s proceedings. Even the Newhaven-to-Dieppe ferry is said to be getting involved.

“Historically, Newhaven has been a very important gateway for England to mainland Europe by the ferry,” says Stephens. “Things have changed and Newhaven has been lost a bit between the seaside resorts of Brighton and Eastbourne. I think people forget there is a lot of creativity there.”

*Starts 8.30pm, free. Visit www.zapart.co.uk for more information.