The Streets Press Release July 2016
THE STREETS
Over 200 performances on high streets as part of a pan-London celebration of culture
This July saw The Streets return for another series of high street takeovers, presenting a mammoth programme of over 130 performances in the most unusual locations of seven outer-London boroughs.
Londoners were treated to three weekends of free events in the form of major vocal extravaganzas, with pop-up performances, workshops and parades taking place in train stations, cafes, libraries, shops and open spaces, as well main stages being erected to present a central celebration of music in each area.
A whopping 50 vocal groups participated throughout July, travelling between boroughs and offering world-class performances on outer London high streets. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, visited The Streets final event in Tooting in the same week that he announced to the world that #LondonIsOpen, hailing the diversity and talent of the capital’s international and home-grown artists as part of International Busking Day. Of his experience of The Streets, The Mayor commented:
“London’s cultural riches are not just limited to the city centre. Wherever you live, there’s a treasure trove of theatres, restaurants, museums and events right on your doorstep, and festivals like The Streets are doing excellent work to highlight some of the capital’s local gems. I had a fantastic time at the Tooting event listening to live music, sampling some great food and celebrating what makes my local area unique. All these events show that London is truly open to new talent, new business, and to people from all over the world making the most of what this fantastic city has to offer.”
Now in its second year, The Streets is an ambitious programme showcasing the local streetscapes of outer London, using live music to revitalise the high street for local communities and businesses.
A diverse and exciting range of artists travelled across the capital, from south west to north east for events with a strong focus on singing that featured international artists alongside community choirs, street performers and local musicians and hosted by BBC Radio London presenter Jumoke Fashola.
Live music and event producer, Serious, has been working with the Great London Authority and a consortium of boroughs since the launch of The Streets last year – Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Croydon, Wandsworth, Richmond, Greenwich and Kingston-upon-Thames – to reignite the full potential of the high street, aligning cultural activity with commercial priorities. The aim is to celebrate local high streets, giving residents and visitors the chance to see and take part in something new and exciting, using their communal space as its stage.
The Streets will return to each borough in November 2016 as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival high street takeover.