Rundown Of Events That Mark The Royal Greenwich Festivals 2016

by Nancy Weirh | Woolwich

* Performers at the Royal Greenwich festivals launch in
May 2015. (Credit: RBG.)

Below is a rundown of the huge and varied programme of events that make up the
Royal Greenwich Festivals 2016.
 

Greenwich Book Festival:-
Friday 27 May & Saturday 28 May

Words and ideas come to life in two days of author events, discussions and creative workshops in the historic buildings and grounds of the Old Royal Naval College on the banks of the River Thames at SE10.

Events include:

* Children’s Book Festival - children of every age will find new stories to amaze and
delight with class visits, author events and free craft workshops

* Fiction Festival - visitors can get closer to writers and their writing as never before in
intimate festival venues

 

* Non-Fiction Festival – exploring the natural world and uncovering fascinating lives, this
festival shows us the power of words to change and heal. It features Samuel Johnson
Prize winner Kate Summerscale and indie icon Brix Smith Start among many others

* Indies and New Voices - hear from some of our most exciting new voices, from the
experimental to the specialist, poetry to short stories and spoken word, in a range of
showcases from independent publishers and local authors

* Creative Writing - explore the world of writing and publishing in a specially curated set of
events.

Greenwich Children’s Theatre Festival:-
Saturday 28 May to Saturday 4 June
 

The Greenwich Children’s Theatre Festival is back with a week of fun family shows and
workshops at venues across the Royal Borough. From new work to classics, outdoor performances to intimate studio pieces, plus many creative workshops, there is something for everyone this May half term.

Events include:
* Into the West – the Travelling Light Theatre Company tells the story of two children,
living with their widowed father in Dublin, and of the magical white horse that appears in
their lives.

* Fun Family Workshops - take part in creative workshops during May half term.
Something for all the family at various venues across the royal borough.

* The Giant Balloon Show - an innovative and quirky outdoor show in a park near you
borough.

* Light Show - an immersive, multi-sensory production for young people with complex
needs.

* SPOT - the international theatre company La Baracca explores children’s fascination with
light in this show specifically made for little children with simple words in English and
Italian.

* Jessie and the Cloud Machine - suitable for the whole family, this musical adventure is
brought to life with hand carved puppets and enchanting song.

* You Are Here - an interactive outdoor adventure for families and communities. Families
will experience an intrepid journey inspired by people’s voyages.

* Pitschi, The Kitten with Dreams - this original production uses a rich mix of story-telling,
physical theatre, music and song to tell the story of a kitten that learns to be happy by
being exactly what she is.

* The Wonderful World of Mr E - finish the week off with a superb outdoor show where
Mr E and his two assistants will take the entire audience on an adventure into imagination
itself.

Greenwich Dances :-

Friday 17 June to Thursday 30 June:Immerse yourself in the biggest Greenwich Dances festival yet, with free outdoor events and
family performances in venues and spaces across the Royal Borough - as well as events in the stunning surroundings of Greenwich Dance’s Grade II listed home at Borough Halls, SE10.

Events include:
* Moving Woolwich - a vibrant celebration of dance and performance featuring a youth
dance platform programmed by and for young people.

* In the Mix: a Cando2 Cabaret Night - a relaxed evening of bold, diverse and exciting performances to celebrate Candoco Dance Company’s 25th anniversary

 

* Wee Company & Francesco Scavetta’s Surprised Body Project #London - led by
acclaimed dance artist Francesco Scavetta, a three week creation process in the UK and
Sweden will bring together dancers from across Europe in the UK premiere of Surprised
Body Project #London.

* We May Be Some Time - Royal Museums Greenwich choreographer in residence Bethan
Peters invites people on a unique and interactive trail of discovery through the National
Maritime Museum as a cast consisting of local communities bring the building to life with
dance and song

* Greenwich Dances at Moat Island - two exciting outdoor family shows, taking a sideways
look at dance.

* Double Bill: Jan Martens and Hannah Buckley - the final evening of Greenwich Dances
2016 is a double bill of solo performances by these two acclaimed choreographers that
will make the audience think and feel differently about the world around them.

Greenwich+Docklands International Festival:-
Friday 24 June to Saturday 2 July
This year’s 21st birthday edition features the very best of UK and international outdoor arts.
To celebrate, the Festival will be animating more venues than in any previous year, with traffic free streets, parks, squares and heritage sites across Greenwich and Docklands all hosting the festivities.

Events include:
* Greenwich Fair - the largest and most intensive programme of street artisanship in the
capital, Greenwich Fair has over 22 productions including circus, theatre, dance, street
games, cabaret and live art.

* Moat Island - discover the magical, storybook-infused world of Moat Island.

* Ignite! - an outdoor arts programme taking inspiration from Woolwich’s manufacturing
and industrial past, whilst looking towards its new and evolving cultural ambitions.

* The Clash of Drums by Les Commandos Percu and Deabru Beltzak - the Festival
reaches a spectacular finale with The Clash of Drums; a mix of percussion and awesome
fireworks from the French company Les Commandos Percu and the Spanish street
theatre group Deabru Beltzak.

Greenwich Music Festival:-
Saturday 11 June - Saturday 30 July:Vibrant one day music events held in Woolwich, Eltham and Greenwich Town Centres. Featuring classical, world, folk and popular music performed by local, amateur and professional musicians.

Events include:
* Greenwich Classics - join the Bollywood Brass Band for an afternoon featuring the very
best classical Bollywood and European music spanning the last 40 years.

* World Music Experience - General Gordon Square will form the backdrop to a selection
of music from around the world. The event will showcase a diverse range of music giving
the local community a taste of what the Royal Borough has to offer.

* Eltham Music Festival - over three weekends Eltham will host a series of Saturday
afternoon music events

Greenwich World Cultural Festival:–
Sunday 3 July:
Explore the beautiful grounds of Eltham Palace and discover pop-up performances, live music, and creative activities for all the family – plus dance through the decades in the Great Hall of the Palace, SE9.

Greenwich World Cultural Festival returns to Eltham Palace & Gardens with a stunning
afternoon of free dance, theatre, music and circus from around the world, for all the family
to enjoy.

PARKSfest:-
Sunday 5 June - Sunday 31 July:A festival of open air entertainment in Greenwich’s pleasaunces, parks and commons. Featuring music, dance and drama performances by local artists and groups, PARKSfest aims to entertain and inspire; drawing local people into parks and open spaces to watch live performances within easy reach of their homes. The festival is planned, organised and delivered by the local Friends of Parks groups.

Look out for Family Fun Day, Arts in the Park and a Royal Celebration Tea Party among
much, much more in the royal borough’s parks and open spaces this summer.

For further information and a full programme of events including dates, times and locations, visit www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/festivals.