World record breaking music marathon this Sunday!

Everyone’s invited to their local bandstand this Sunday afternoon to celebrate the last day of the Paralympic Games. 

Bandstands across the city will come to life on Sunday 9 September for the biggest bandstand concert this city has ever seen. As part of the Showtime Festival finale, enjoy an afternoon of live music, bands and choirs. At 2pm, Viva La Vida by Coldplay will be played simultaneously at all bandstands.

There will be fantastic free live music performances all afternoon. Visitors to Broomfield Park, Palmers Green can expect the Afro-Caribbean beats of The Harambe Drummer, while Regent’s Park will host a festival of Jewish music.

There will be much more happening across London. So pack a picnic, meet up with family, friends and neighbours and head down to your local bandstand for a world record breaking music marathon! 

Participating bandstands include:
East London

• Albany Park, Hertford Road, Enfield, EN3 5PA
• Barking Park, Longbridge Road,Barking, IG11 8TA
• Coronation Gardens, Oliver Road, Leyton, E10 5NE
• Hillyfields, Cooks Hole Road, Enfield, EN2 0UD
• Ponder's End Park, Ponders End High Street, Enfield EN3 4EY
• Pondfield Park, Pondfield Road, Dagenham, RM10 8DE
• Springfield Park, Springfield Mansion, Hackney, E5 9EF
• Valentines Park, Cranbrook Road, Ilford, IG2 6EW
• Victoria Park, Corner of Old Ford Road and Grove Road, Tower Hamlets, E9 7DE

South London

• Battersea Park, Battersea, SW11 4NJ
• Clapham Common Bandstand, Windmill Drive, SW4 9DE
• Croydon Road Recreation Ground, Beckenham, BR3
• Diamond Jubilee Gardens, The Embankment, Twickenham, TW1 3DY
• Queen's Gardens, Croydon, CR9 1SA
• The Walnuts, Orpington, BR6 OTW

West London

• Dukes Meadow, Riverside Drive, Chiswick, W4 2SH
• Haven Green, Ealing Broadway, W5 2NX
• Merton Abbey Mills, Merantun Way, Wimbledon, W19 2RD
• Paddington Recreation Grounds,Westminster, W9
• Shenley Park, Ruslip Manor, HA4

South East London

• General Gordon Square, Woolwich, SE18 6HB
• The Albany, Douglas Way, Lewisham, SE8 4AG
• Tudor Barn, Well Hall Pleasaunce, Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9 6SZ

North London

• Broomfield Park, Alderman's Hill, Palmers Green, N13 4RB
• Northampton Square, Islington, EC1 V0

North West London

• Gladstone Park, Dollis Hill Lane, NW2
• Harrow Recreation Ground, Roxborough Road, Harrow, HA1 1PB
• Regents Park, NW1 4NR

For more info visit the official websiteYou should follow me on twitter here

Enjoy Thames Festival This weekend - 8-9 September 2012

Join the end of summer party by the banks of the Thames at London’s biggest free outdoor arts festival and part funded by the Mayor of London. This was enjoyed by over 800,000 visitors in 2011 and this year it's promised to bigger and better than ever!

This weekend spectacular brings together Londoners of all ages and communities to celebrate their city and the River Thames with music, dance, feasting, carnival, river races, art installations and more.

Highlights of the Thames Festival which I am looking forward to experiencing are Circolombia, XX Scharnhorst and All Eyes on Korea.

Circolombia (Saturday 12-10pm) Immerse yourself in a day of Colombian culture with exuberant young artists.

12 noon DJ session

1pm Zumba workshops – Come and join in!
2pm Circolombia - A performance of solo acts by some of the best talents from Circolombia´s troupe.
2.45pm Zumba workshops – Come and join in!
3.30pm Circolombia - Carnival des Animales -  awe-inspiring acrobatics
4.30pm Luis Lema - Colombian singer performing some of the best music from the Pacific coast of Colombia such as: currulaos, jotas & abozaos
5.30pm Circolombia - A performance of solo acts

6.15pm Criminalz Dance Crew - New Style Dance
6.45pm Circolombia -  Carnival des Animales -  awe-inspiring acrobatics  
7.45pm Angelica Lopez - queen of Colombia's Caribbean coast music in London.
9pm Circo – Cabaret - DJs, live percussion & surprise circus performers

XX Scharnhorst - World Premier (Sunday 8 & 9.15pm) 

Featuring live choirs and young percussionists on HMS Belfast. A breathtaking performance is created by a womens' choir, a German choir and a percussion ensemble of young men who drum against the fabric of the vessel itself.

All Eyes on Korea  (Sat & Sun 12 noon - 10pm)  

A showcase of Korean culture, pop music, sport and theatre and a smorgasbord of beautiful boats at St Katherine’s Docks.  Before each live performance, audiences can see a selection of stunning large-scale projections by Lee Lee-nam. For all you brides to be who are wanting something a little different you may be inspired by a traditional Korean wedding celebration - all part of the show.

Sat 8 Sept
1.10pm Babbling Comedy 2 by Perfordian Factory
2.20pm Traditional Korean Wedding Demonstration & Stage Performance
4.40pm Taekwondo Demo by Kukkiwon Taekwondo team and GB National Poomsae Squad
5.50pm Traditional Korean Music by Yeonheedan Palsandae
7pm K-Pop Contest
Sun 9 Sept
12.10pm Babbling Comedy 2 by Perfordian Factory
1.20pm Traditional Korean Wedding Demonstration & Stage Performance
3.40pm Taekwondo Demo by Kukkiwon Taekwondo team and GB National Poomsae Squad
4.50pm Yeonheedan Palsandae
5.50pm Babbling Comedy 2 by Perfordian Factory
6.50pm Kukkiwon Taekwondo Display Team
8.10pm Screening of Jeong Yoon-chul’s film Marathon

Watch fireworks this weekend along the ThamesAs with tradition, the finale to the Thames Festival is a magical illuminated Night Carnival along the south and north banks of the Thames.  This years Night Carnival will feature over 1,500 dancers, drummers and costumed masqueraders, followed by the traditional river-based fireworks spectacular never fails to impress! The fireworks will be lit from two barges on the river between Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridges. There's plenty of opportunity to find a space after watching the the magical illuminated Night Carnival procession on Victoria Embankment on the north bank of the river. You can also get a good view from Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridges themselves. 

For more information about the Thames Festival 2012 visit the official website.

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