The Bermondsey Carnival will bring an exciting line up of music, dance and events to the bandstand of the beautiful Southwark Park, writes Simon Throssell …
A Brief History
Festivals in Bermondsey date as far back as ‘A Fête at Bermondsey or A Marriage Feast at Bermondsey’, reimagined by Flemish painter Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder (below).
The Bermondsey Carnival first came to town in July 1900, as a fundraising event for the Daily Telegraph’s war time ‘Widows and Orphans’ support fund during the Boer War (1899 – 1902).
For nearly 120 years, the Carnival has evolved into an annual event, establishing itself in the process as a local treasure that the people of Bermondsey are immensely proud of.
It has continued to be celebrated through numerous cultural changes to the area, a host of national and local governments as well as two world wars.
Sometime in the early 1980s, however, the celebrations gradually faded away and eventually ceased to be.
But, on a late summer’s evening at The Ancient Foresters pub, two local residents reminisced about the good old days of the Carnival. And, after receiving support from The Friends of Southwark Park and later Bermondsey Beat, the Carnival was back on the agenda.
What’s on, IN THE PARK?
The programme for this year’s Carnival, taking place on Saturday, June 30 from 12:00 to 8:00 pm, includes plenty of activities and performances to entertain the whole family, including a traditional funfair, delicious world foods, and fun activities from community partners plus a dedicated family zone and children’s dance tent running throughout the day:
Plaza Latina
Promoting and celebrating the colourful Latin American culture by offering free entertainment for all so bring your costumes and join in the dance workshops!
Rumble in the Jumble
A mass community-led second-hand jumble sale where you could find yourself some hidden treasures.
Reuben Bond’s funfair
A Victorian-themed fun fair offering a wide range of sideshow, stalls and games old and new to keep you busy and entertained throughout the day
Fancy yourself as the next Wimbledon champion?
Bermondsey Carnival will be holding a special ‘come and try: tennis’ session for anyone, adult or child, who is interested in giving the sport a go. For the more competitive player, there will also be a ‘timed tennis tournament’ for six to eleven year olds.
Who’s on, IN THE BANDSTAND?
From midday-onwards, there will be a number of great live music performances:
12:25 pm – The Dirty Cassettes
Rock and roll band from Bermondsey, who have just released their debut single ‘Little Miss’
1:10 pm – YazStar
Solo artist combining underground music with magnificent metaphors and crowd-pleasing rhymes
1:50 pm – Decks & Quartz
Eltham-based band consisting of six year nine students, influenced by the likes of The Beatles, Oasis and Arctic Monkeys
3:00 pm – The Mayor’s Speech
By Councillor Catherine Rose, Mayor of Southwark
3:15 pm – Singology
All-inclusive choir group singing a diverse range of genres, with experience in performing on stage at the Royal Albert Hall and at the V Festival alongside Stormzy
3:50 pm – Mancie Baker
17-year-old singer songwriter and daughter of SE8’s finest Danny Baker, will rock the bandstand with a set list mixing covers in with her own original material
4:20 pm – Paradise on Purple
Local band marking their twentieth anniversary of performing at the Carnival by putting together a set of their best tunes
FEATURED PERFORMERS
2:25 pm – Kindred Soul
Bermondsey-based house and garage songwriters and producers who specialise in crafting uplifting and soulful original mixes that have brought them tons of radio play
5:00 pm – Tiny Tina Turner Rock and Blues Band
Five-piece tribute band excelling in impersonating Tina Turner and many other of the great jazz, soul, rock and blues artists of the twentieth century
6:00 pm – ABBA Gold Girls
Bonita Delaney and Suzanne Ayliffe, otherwise known as Frida and Agnetha, have enjoyed performing alongside Gary Jones (Bjorn) and Nigel Hopkins (Benny) to enormous crowds worldwide since the mid-nineties.
They have been to the Caribbean several times to play for Richard Branson’s Virgin parties, Portugal’s famous summer festas every year for eight consecutive years and Moscow’s nightclubs and corporate parties.
The Golden Girls love to perform the music of ABBA to the local people around them because: “You can see an instant audience reaction and a true sense of communal togetherness!
“To see everyone, young and old alike, singing along is a true pleasure.”
You can expect pitch perfect vocal harmonies, high energy dance routines (with lots of high kicks) and most importantly, identical replica ABBA costumes with glittery feather boas et al from the foursome.
For an uplifting, energetic and entertaining act, be sure to head to the bandstand at 6:00 pm for a Dancing Queen spectacular.
6:50 pm – Salute to Sinatra
Original star of the West End and Broadway smash hit show, the Rat Pack live from Las Vegas, Louis Hoover will be saluting to the late great Frank Sinatra at this year’s carnival.
Performing a selection of hits by Ol’ Blue Eyes, Louis is looking forward to sharing his love of music with the people of Bermondsey.
“As a special gesture and in celebration of my Birthday which will also be celebrated on Carnival day”, the Grammy nominee said, “I am offering my fellow Bermondsey residents a free download of both my albums that I will be singing from in the bandstand”
Louis’s marvellous talent has been recognised by celebrities across the world. In the words of former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, “if he played football like he sings, I would sign him tomorrow”.
So if you’re a fan of The Rat Pack or just love great songs, then Hoover’s Salute to Sinatra is a 6:50 pm performance you don’t want to miss!
Full bandstand programme
12:25 pm Dirty Cassettes
1:10 pm YazStar
1:50 pm Decks & Quartz
2:25 pm Kindred Soul
3:00 pm The Mayor’s speech
3:15 pm Singology
3:50 pm Mancie Baker
4:20 pm Paradise on Purple
5:00 pm Tiny Tina
6:00 pm Abba Gold Girls
6:50 pm Salute to Sinatra
How do I get there?
The Bandstand, Southwark Park, off Jamaica Road, London, SE16 2TX
Distances from main transport hubs are as follows:
Underground
Bermondsey (0.3 miles) or Canada Water (0.5 miles)
Overground
Canada Water (0.5 miles) or Surrey Quays (0.6 miles)
Bus
1, 47, 188, 255, 381, C10 or P12
Canada Water bus station (0.5 miles)
Train
South Bermondsey station (1.7 miles)
Bike
Cycle parking will be available in the events site near the bandstand
For more information
To download Louis Hoover’s albums, visit www.lipuk.co.uk
Please email events@southwark.gov.uk, call 020 7525 2000 or follow @SouthwarkEvents