Leytonstone Festival

The annual Leytonstone Festival is now in its 14^th year. It has evolved out of a vast range of arts initiatives that have flourished in multicultural Leytonstone for a long time and, through the help of sponsors, volunteers, associations, groups and individuals, will culminate in more than 60 events with many of them free of charge.

This year’s Festival will be officially opened by Jennette Arnold, London Assembly member for London North East after the opening procession by the Epping Forest Pipe Band marching from the Underground Station to St. John’s Church.

Crowded into nine busy days will be something for everyone’s taste:

The Community Day, a Festival’s favourite, will showcase the immense talent to be found in local community groups who will perform poetry, song and dance.

The Langthorne Youthfest, organised by the South Leytonstone Area Development Association, aims to provide young people with a chance to learn about local employment and training opportunities while at the same time having some fun, principally through music and sport.

Open-air events like the Summer Party at the Henry Reynolds Gardens, a Freedom Walk through Leytonstone, a walk by the Historical Society and a Forest Walk.

The Woodhouse Players and the Leytonstone Library Playreading Group will be delighting the community with their performances, whilst opera buffs can enjoy “Treemonisha” – a ragtime opera brought by Vision Opera – some Gilbert & Sullivan excerpts by the Chapel End Savoy Players, and Lantern Opera will bring a concert version of Gilbert & Sullivan’s operetta “Patience”.

Classical music will also feature in the programme with concert performances, recitals and even a rush-hour concert for those in a hurry.

There will be a film night celebrating and featuring Leytonstone and its environs with a special showing of three films and a Q&A session with the films’ directors.

Music fans will enjoy jazz, blues, country and rock & roll performances by a wide variety of artists, too numerous to mention here.

For more on this year’s programme visit the Festival’s website below or pick up a printed programme at the Leytonstone libraries and other local venues.