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August 2010
August 2010
August is the time when London's parks fill up with sunbathers, lidos come into their own, the banks of the Thames lend themselves to picnics and pub gardens get packed. Huge music festivals are the mainstay of the month from the Latin American Carnaval del Pueblo to the Clapham Weekender, for us though, the Notting Hill carnival remains the undoubted highlight.
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Carnaval del Pueblo
Burgess Park, London, SE5 0RJ1st August 2010
This loud, colourful Carnaval del Pueblo fiesta of all things Latin American, now in its 11th year, is a celebration of their roots for expat communities in the capital, and a massive party for the rest of us. Proceedings kick off at noon when a procession of brightly-coloured floats are paraded down the streets of Southwark, admired by over 100,000 people. They route sees them wind their way from Elephant Road down to Burgess Park, taking in Tooley Street, Borough High Street and Elephant and Castle along the way. Once at Burgess Park, revellers can enjoy regionally-themed food, drink, live music and, of course, dance late into the night. There are a number of different stages offering everything from traditional music to the freshest reggaeton and Latin hip-hop.
Underage Festival 2010
Victoria Park, London, E3 5SNSunday 1st August 2010
August's Underage Festival in Victoria Park claims to be the world's first and best under 19s music event of its type - and this one has a twist, for not only are the crowd all MySpace users aged 14 to 18, but many of the lesser-known performers are themselves teenagers, giving young bands a huge leg-up in the industry. Gary Glitter headlines at this alcohol-free event... only joking (about Glitter, that is - booze is strictly prohibited and there's an 8pm curfew). The first acts for 2010 have been confirmed and they include M.I.A., Annie Mac Presents, Tinchy Stryder, Caspa Feat. Mc Rod Azlan, Chase & Status, Ellie Goulding, Egyptian Hip Hop, Daisy Dares You, Gold Panda, Hadouken!, Lightspeed Champion, General Fiasco, Late Of The Pier Sound System, New Young Pony Club, Jakwob, Is Tropical, Rox, Stornoway, Sub Focus, Tinie Tempah, and Unicorn Kid Now in its fourth year, the Underage Festival is the brainchild of 17-year-old Sam Kilkoyne and, along with the Underage Club, the concept has been critically acclaimed by the media and the enthusiastic adolescent audience it benefits.
Buckingham Palace Summer Opening
Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AA1st August - 28th September 2010
For two months in the summer, throughout August and September, visitors have the chance to look round Buckingham Palace and admire the interiors of this principle royal residence. The Summer Opening tour includes a look at some exquisite royal gifts including Faberge Eggs, and a walk through the Royal Mews, which is still a functioning stable facility. Visitors are permitted access to the nineteen State Rooms which are still used by the Royal Family to receive and entertain guests on state and ceremonial occasions. Decorated in lavish fashion, they include paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto, Sevres porcelain and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. This is a fascinating opportunity to admire the taste - often wonderful, sometimes comically bad - of Britain's monarchy.
Camden Fringe 2010
Etcetera Theatre, London, NW1 7BU2nd - 29th August 2010
Bringing together comedy, theatre, poetry, dance and much more, the Camden Fringe boasts 400 performances of 100-odd shows across five venues in north London throughout August. (And there we were thinking a Camden Fringe was some sort of trendy hair coup to rival the Hoxton Mullet...) Whether you want to catch some of the edgiest stand-up around or witness a new twist on Shakespeare or watch a group of OAPs rap, the Camden Fringe has become the metaphorical David, ready "to challenge the Edinburgh Goliath" (The Guardian). Now in its fifth year, this rapidly growing four-week festival is offering fresh opportunity for both new and established acts to get themselves noticed in a creative environment outside Edinburgh. It also gives Londoners the chance to see a huge variety of shows - at £7.50 a pop - without having to trek all the way up to Scotland on a crowded train. Having started out in the Etcetera Theatre, the festival has shed its humble beginnings and now venues also include the Roundhouse and The Camden Head. Stand-out comedy shows last year included the loveable Simon Amstell, the topical Shazia Mirza and the downright filthy Scott Capurro. The 2010 programme of events has now been announced so check www.camdenfringe.org for the latest line-up details.
The Great British Beer Festival
Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, SW5 9TA3rd - 7th August 2010
Over 66,000 people flock to this massive celebration of our national drink, which features over 450 real ales from the United Kingdom, as well as 200 more from around the world. Although The Great British Beer Festival sounds like a fun event - and it can be - don't be surprised to see a lot of very serious faces and concentration; some real ale experts are genuinely obsessive. Tutored tastings are on offer for anyone who wants to learn the subtleties of what makes a great beer. For the rest of us, though, this is a jolly day out with some delicious brewed drinks. There's even a huge range of ciders and perries on offer for those with lighter tastes. Beer swilling may not be the most glamorous activity but this annual Earls Court event brings it as close to an art form as possible.
London Festival Fringe
London Bridge, London, SE1 2JX6th - 30th August 2010
Inspired by the Edinburgh Festival, the first London Festival Fringe comes to the capital this August promising to celebrate performing arts from all over the world in a range of venues across the whole city. The festival is the new guise of last year's London Bridge Festival and shouldn't be confused with the more established Camden Fringe which also takes place in August. The programme is being developed daily - it's open-access so anyone can put on a show, exhibition or event provided they find a willing venue - and includes comedy, music, film, literature, visual-art, theatre, spoken word and dance. Buskers and street performers are also being encouraged with a range of street events and one-off gigs throughout the festival. Given last year's event in London Bridge (and Camden's separate fringe event), the main focus will probably be stay south of the river in SE1 - although a cluster of smaller West End theatres are in talks to host events, while many Soho haunts are signing up. There are a number of London Awards to be given out - including best 48 Hour Short Film, Photography and New Comedy - through August for each event category and anyone can enter. With the festival growing at an alarming pace and more and more performers joining day by day, the best way to keep your finger on the pulse is to visit www.londonfestivalfringe.com. It remains to be seen if the distinctive and intimate vibe of Edinburgh can be recreated on the busy streets and disparate venues of London - our suspicion is that it cannot.
Mazda London Triathlon 2010
ExCel London Exhibition Centre, London, E16 1XL7th & 8th August 2010
The triathlon is fast replacing the marathon as the event of choice for testing your body to the limit, and the London Triathlon is the world's largest event of its kind. Over 13,000 confirmed entrants are set to participate in a punishing programme of running, swimming and cycling, while 55,000 are expected to line the streets and visit the Triathlon Expo. There is a strong focus on raising money for charity, with £1 million usually donated each year and media celebrities, major sporting figures and some of the world's best triathletes all expected to take part. Starting at the ExCel Centre in Docklands and making its way past major London landmarks such as Big Ben, the London Eye and Tower Bridge, the setting is idyllic for all those involved, and the Thames hopefully not too cold for the brave athletes. It's a great spectator event too, with the chance to see some of the fittest sports people do battle across three gruelling disciplines in the heart of London. For more information please go to www.thelondontriathlon.co.uk.
Kids' Week
The West End, WC2H 7BP13th - 27th August 2010
It's now over a decade since the excellent idea of Kids' Week was first conjured up. A truly inspired summer treat for families, Theatreland is available for free to excitable tots and teens for two action-packed weeks in August. Children aged 5 to 16 years can see an awesome selection of dazzling West End hits gratis - as long as an adult pays the full price - and another two children can go half price. Tickets for the most popular shows go fast, so it's best not to make any promises until you've booked. Aside from the shows themselves, there's a whole raft of free children's activities. Kids can peek backstage, participate in workshops, dabble with make-up, learn to dance, scribble a few lines in writing classes and even sing with the cast. And the freebies don't stop there; children can also eat at a number of kid-friendly restaurants for free. See www.kidsweek.co.uk for full details. It's a fantastic initiative and one which can only inspire kids' enthusiasm for the stage in later life.
London Mela
Gunnersbury Park, London, W3 8LQSunday 15th August 2010
The London Mela in Gunnersbury Park is a wonderful celebration of Asian music and culture which always draws a big crowd of 55,000 visitors with its line-up of British Asian music, Bollywood figures and traditional and classical performances. One of the biggest celebrations of Asian music and culture outside the Indian subcontinent, this year's festival is still in the planning stages but last year saw the addition of the Doosra stage showcasing new talent and alternative musicians adding to the live music. Across on the BBC Asian Network main stage Apache Indian was among the headliners, bringing his unique mix of Ragga and Bhangra to Gunnersbury Park. In all, there were seven zones with urban, classical and experimental music, DJs, circus and comedy as well as dance, arts and a children's play area. We're expecting a simliar funfair atmosphere this year with music and dance supplemented by hundreds of stalls selling food and handicrafts, all of which makes the London Mela a magnet for a multitude of Londoners out for a good time.
LED Festival
Victoria Park, London, E3 5SN27th & 28th August 2010
Some of the world's best house and electro DJs gather over the August bank holiday for the inaugural London Electronic Dance Festival in Victoria Park. The East London outdoor space is a favourite with summertime weekend festivals and it only seems natural that it adds the electronic genres to its spiralling portfolio of indie rock, village-y, heavy metal, and underage festivals. French DJ David Guetta, the undisputed kind of Euro trash house, headlines Friday night alongside Belgian phenomenon Soulwax, Scottish boy wonder Calvin Harris, British duo Audio Bullys and glam Canadian electro super producer Tiga, who hosts his very own 'Turbo Area'. Saturday's line-up is more indie-infused, with crossover band Friendly Fires, genre-smashing musical pioneers Goldfrapp and BBC Radio One DJ Annie Mac joining headline act Leftfield and the acid house recluse Aphex Twin. With many more acts to be named and prime timing with the long weekend, LED should light up Victoria Park as it bids to make a splash on the busy London festival season.
David Guetta, Soulwax, Calvin Harris Live, Audio Bullys, Tiga
Leftfield, Goldfrapp, Friendly Fires, Aphex Twin, Annie Mac
Hampton Court Palace Beer & Jazz Festival
Hampton Court Palace, London, KT8 9AU27th - 30th August 2010
If you like your ale accompanied by funky music in fine surroundings then the returning four-day Hampton Court Palace Beer & Jazz Festival is a must. The line-up has now been finalised and features an opening night slot for British keys-led Funk masters the James Taylor Quartet. Also starring over the August Bank Holiday at King Henry VIII's Tudor Palace are the world renowned Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans, Tony Hadley and his swing band and a final day programme which includes the Brand New Heavies, Incognito and the Deep Mo. As well as a steady flow of established and rising stars of jazz, funk, Latin and blues, they'll be ample real ale, cider, beer and summer brews on tap at this official CAMRA (Campaign For Real Ale) event. Music will roll from 12.30pm till 10pm all five days, making this the ideal place to while away a sunny afternoon and evening with a bit of summer brews and blues. For more information on tickets and performances go to www.hamptoncourtbeerandjazz.com.
Information - Hampton Court Palace Beer & Jazz Festival
South West Four Weekender
Clapham Common, London, SW4 9DE28th & 29th August 2010
The South West Four Weekender welcomes revellers to Clapham Common over the August bank holiday weekend with potentially barnstorming headline sets from Fatboy Slim and Armin van Buuren. The UK's premier inner city dance festival takes a new guise this year with SW4 taking both weekend slots as Get Loaded in the Park steps back to concentrate on its indoor club night at the Brixton Academy. Dutch trance master van Buuren, voted the most popular DJ on the planet for the past three years, will showcase his new album with a Saturday headline slot - his first in the UK. Then on Sunday, the ever-green Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) will get up on the stage for his only London appearance of 2010. This two day dance fest has proved a great success over its first six years, filling Clapham Common with revellers united in the knowledge that they don't have to slum it in a tent and that there's no work the following Monday - so the party can go on and on. The music may finish at around 9pm both nights but there are after-parties for those keen on all-night revelry. Keep checking www.southwestfour.com for the latest line-up additions.
Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill, London, W11 3AG29th & 30th August 2010
Held since 1966, the Notting Hill Carnival was originally a local affair for west London's homesick Caribbean community, this has evolved into Europe's biggest street party. Carnival sets London on fire in a blaze of Caribbean spirit as extravagantly costumed dancers, calypso and soca musicians, giant soundsystems and steelbands are joined by over a million revellers of all ages. Sunday is officially Children's Day, but there are loads of kids on both days enjoying the bright colours of the floats and the dancers' feathered costumes. Adults can shake their battys at dozens of stages: our favourites are Channel 1's booming dub, and the jazz-reggae at Gaz's Rockin' Blues, but there are tunes for all tastes, from house to hip-hop. It's a huge area, and can get very crowded, so be prepared for an exhausting day out, but for anyone who loves a party, Carnival remains the absolute highlight of the London summer.
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