Celebrating local music at Victoria Park

Over 600 people turned up to a musical fiesta of local talent at Victoria Park for the third Our Big Gig held in Tower Hamlets at the end of July. The annual community music celebration takes place across the UK and brings together local musical talent whilst inspiring others to get involved in music-making. Working closely with Tower Hamlets Council, Victoria Park Friends Group organised the free event featuring such performers as East London Late Starters Orchestra, London Metropolitan Brass, London Saxophone Choir and Shkembe Soup.

Richard Desmond, chair of the Victoria Park Friends Group, said: “Our Big Gig brought a day of music to the park featuring brass bands, a full orchestra and local choirs as well as singer-song writers and bands. Local people had the chance to try out brass instruments and strings as well as dance along to the bands. It was a fun day and we hope to return in 2015.”

Sing Tower Hamlets, J Eoin and Victoria Park Singers also joined in with the fun while more than 180 events took place across England and Scotland, bringing communities together to celebrate local music. The Victoria Park Friends Group also puts bands on the bandstand throughout the summer and welcomes support and participation from park users.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said: “Victoria Park is a fantastic venue for events like these which are suitable for people of all ages. I’m extremely pleased that hundreds of people took part and had a great time.”

Cabinet member for culture, Cllr Shafiqul Haque, said: “This is the third time we’ve taken part in this nationwide event celebrating our musical talent. It’s good to see local musicians offered a platform to entertain our community.”

Victoria Park will play host to a number of family fun days over the summer kicking off with the annual A Great Day Out event on Saturday, 9th August from 11am – 5pm.

•For more information visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/victoriapark.