Canary Wharf has announced a spectacular calendar of free music and dance performances for 2012, from the annual Canary Wharf Jazz Festival to collaborations with Royal Opera House, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival and the City of London Festival.
Having kicked off in March with a spectacular Viva la Dance! Salsa Night and an uplifting performance from The Brand New Heavies as part of the After Hours with… series, Canary Wharf is putting on its dancing shoes and turning up the volume, as London gets set for what may be its greatest summer.
Canary Wharf’s parks, plazas and shopping malls will be buzzing from noon to night, with some of the best free music and dance to be found anywhere in the capital in 2012.
DANCING CITY
Celebrating its eleventh year at Canary Wharf, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival’s annual outdoor events Dancing City previews: & Dancing City returns to Canary Wharf with leading UK and International dance companies and artists.
From 28 – 30 June the festival features inspirational and exhilarating performances including Tomorrow’s Men with large scale choreography from Jeanefer Jean-Charles and East London Dance; a world premiere performance of Red Shoes from UK’s Upswing; and street ballet from award-winning Australian choreographer Shaun Parker and the C-12 Dance Theatre. The festival also features France’s Tango Sumo and the Arensky Chamber Orchestra, in collaboration with German choreographer Tim Voss.
USC TROJAN MARCHING BAND
The celebrated University of Southern California (USC) Trojan Marching Band comes to London for the first time with a spectacular and energetic evening performance in Canada Square Park on Thursday 17 May at 6pm.
This 80-strong marching band will perform traditional college songs and popular numbers adapted into a big band style. Their trademark colourful Trojan uniforms, vibrant style and dynamic music has appeared Olympic opening ceremonies in 1932, 1984, 1996 and 2002.
GOLDEN STREET PIANOS
The City of London Festival will see 50 Golden Street Pianos dotted around central London, free for the public to sit down and play. Play Me, I’m Yours is a project devised by artist Luke Jerram and this year all pianos are decorated in a gold theme to celebrate the Festival’s fiftieth anniversary.
Canary Wharf hosts three pianos from 24 June to 13 July. On 20 June the Golden Street Piano Roadshow arrives with performances by some of the Capital's best musicians.
BP SUMMER BIG SCREENS LIVE FROM THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
Ballet enthusiasts can pick a sunny spot in Canada Square Park on the evening of 16 July and enjoy a special screening of Metamorphosis: Titian 2012. This unique collaboration between leading choreographers, contemporary artists, composers, The Royal Ballet and The National Gallery draws influence from Titian’s three great paintings in The National Gallery and is part of the official London 2012 Festival.
CITY OF LONDON FESTIVAL @ CANARY WHARF
A special celebratory concert opens this year’s City of London Festival at Canary Wharf on 13 July as Jazz Jamaica performs traditional rhythms of Jamaican music led by veteran jazz double bassist Gary Crosby, with special guest Myrna Hague.
14 and 15 July see a stellar line-up of pop, folk and jazz music, including French euro ska jazz from Santa Macairo Orkestar; and Saravah Soul with their special blend of Afro-Brazilian rhythms, 60s soul and funk.
Frenetic dancer Otto Nascarella will lead a tightly honed show and Aurora Orchestra present a special collaboration from the acclaimed breaker collective Company Decalage, choreographed by Mickaël ‘Marso’ Rivière.
TWILIGHT DELIGHTS
July and August welcomes Canary Wharf’s ever popular Twilight Delights live concert series. Canada Square Park hosts the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra performing The Best of British and the BBC Big Band and Claire Martin celebrating The Big Band Divas.
Other Twilight Delight concerts include Summer Nights, a celebration of the West End Musicals; Blame it on the Boogie, a night of Jackson music and Viva Las Vegas with the two legendary voices of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.
CANARY WHARF JAZZ FESTIVAL
17-19 August brings an impressive three day line up of live jazz as the annual Canary Wharf Jazz Festival returns to Canada Square Park. The festival, unparalleled in London for world-class free jazz, has featured the likes of Kit Downes, Jay Phelps Big Band, Pee Wee Ellis, Ruby Turner and last year headlined The Herbaliser.
Courtney Pine headlines the festival in 2012, which will resonate from start to finish with the best new and established jazz talent.
Sian Astrop, Arts & Events Manager at Canary Wharf Group plc said “Canary Wharf is proud to contribute towards London’s status as the best cultural city in the world. Our collaboration with some of the best arts organisations within London such as the Royal Opera House, City of London Festival and Greenwich+Docklands International Festival cements our cultural programme further and enhances Canary Wharf’s reputation as a great place to visit and enjoy.”