The Mayor of London is inviting Londoners and tourists alike to come and sample the very best in English food and old fashioned fun at this year’s Feast of St George celebration in Trafalgar Square.
Taking place on Easter Bank Holiday Monday (21st April), two days ahead of England’s Saint’s Day, this family-friendly event will see the square transformed into a colourful banquet, with rustic wooden table seating and sumptuous English food. A five metre high, interactive dragon, created by leading events company Emergency Exit Arts, will offer a prize for youngsters taking part in a quest during the afternoon and form the centrepiece of the rustic banqueting area.
There will be an English Farmer’s Market featuring first-rate fare from some of London’s independent producers,
Harlequins on stilts, jugglers and jesters will create mischief around the square and there will be traditional wooden garden games for adults including ball in the bucket, stand the bottle and darts. An artificial grass area surrounded by a white picket fence will feature beautifully decorated swingboats for children to ride and circus lessons where youngsters can learn to juggle, spin plates and hula hoop.
A Kid’s Marquee managed by leading events company Emergency Exit Arts is running a whole day of activities for children themed around the “Knights Quest” and culminating in a knighting ceremony.
Music and dance form a central part of the festivities with folk dance hip-hop fusion performances and workshops. A 12-foot maypole will be set up in the square giving participants a chance to learn some contemporary ribbon dancing. The day’s soundtrack will be courtesy of the Music Medley bandstand with talented young musicians and singers from GIGS, the Mayor’s busking competition. London’s Deputy Mayor Victoria Borwick will also be in attendance and will give a speech from the music stage during the afternoon.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “Our Feast of St George is set to be a day of revelry and merriment for all the family, with delicious food and a whole host of activities for all ages. London is one of the foodie capitals of the world and this banquet is the perfect showcase for some of our superb English fare. Happy St George's Day!”
ENDS
MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Media wishing to cover the event should email [email protected]
For accreditation information please call Jennifer Sheldon on 020 7893 49 28 or Ben McKnight on 020 7983 4071.
Pictures available by emailing [email protected]
EVENT INFO
Event: Feast of St George
Date: Monday 21 April 2014
Time: 12pm-6pm
Location: Trafalgar Square
Entry: Free
Follow at: www.london.gov.uk/feast
www.facebook.com/mayoroflondonpresents
@LDN_gov
ENGLISH FOOD MARKET
The Jolly Hog (hog roast); The Pie Cart (English pies); Mother Mash (pie & mash, sausage & mash); Popina (biscuits and cakes from new start up business); Hix’s FishDog (fish hot dogs) Peyton & Byrne (readymade English picnic hampers; English breads, cakes and biscuits); London Farmer’s Market (information on London’s markets); HECK Sausages (sausages); Meringue Girls (Eton Mess); Events Factor (Ice cream); Scoff & Nosh (Pork Briskett and Ploughmans); Neals Yard (Cheese); The Flour Station (Bread, buns and muffins); Flat Cap Coffee (Coffee).
The café on the square will also be doing a special English menu with strawberries and cream, afternoon tea and scones, Pimms and traditional soft drinks.
COOKS’ CORNER
1.00 – 1.45 - Andy Bates, Eat My Pies & Food Network’s Street Feasts - Custard Tart with Rhubarb Compote & Strawberry Cream
2.00 – 2.45 - Dean Crews, Charing Cross Hotel – Kentish Pudding with pickled walnuts, and cumin carrots
3.00 – 3.45 - Hayden Groves, National Chef of the Year 2013 – Asparagus starter with Crispy Pheasant egg & Rapeseed Mayonnaise and Spring lamb with Wild Garlic and St Georges Mushrooms
4.00 – 4.45 - Dean Crews, Charing Cross Hotel – London Particular Soup
5.00 – 5.45 - James Smart, Archival Chef at The Proud Archivist - Great London Bun Fight: Hackney vs Chelsea
MUSIC MEDLEY BANDSTAND
In front of Nelson's Column, a traditional Bandstand decorated with red and white bunting will showcase a range of winners and other performers who have taken part in the Mayor's Gigs competition for young buskers.
12 – 12.25: Sam Barnett (Gigs 2013 Youth Category winner)
12.35-13.15: The King’s Parade (Gigs 2013 Group category finalists & Gigs 2013 Eurostar Prize winners)
13.30-14.10: Natalie Shay (Gigs 2012 Youth category winner and Gigs 2013 youth category finalist)
14.25-15.05: Battle of You (Gigs 2013 Group category finalist)
15.30-15.40: Deputy Mayor’s speech
15.40-16.15: Stella & The Shakes (Gigs 2013 Groups Category winner and Gigs 2013 Champion)
16.30-17.05: Tyler Rix & Band (Gigs special guest artist)
17.20-18.00: Ruth Theodore A folk singer-songwriter who taught herself guitar as a busker on the streets of Southampton. Ruth’s music has received critical acclaim from The Guardian, The Observer, BBC Radio3 and BBC6music. http://www.ruththeodore.com
Notes to editors
- The Mayor's Gigs busking competition has become London's biggest free music festival and is the largest youth music competition in the UK. It is a key part of the Mayor's Music Education strategy, which aims to strengthen and promote music education for young people, as well as supporting London's creative industries.
- Each summer Gigs transforms the capital's busiest, most iconic public spaces into a stage for talented Londoners. Last year, Gigs had 1,800 applications (up 300 per cent on 2012) and presented 1,100 hours of live music to 1.5million people.
- This year's competition is open now to Londoners aged 11-25, who can sign-up at www.gigsbigbusk.com. Closing date for entries: 1 June.
- There are three categories: Youth, for performers aged 11 – 15 on 9 August 2014; Soloists & Duos for performers aged 16 – 25 on 9 August 2014; Groups, for 2 – 20 members, aged 11 – 25 on 9 August 2014.
- This year's shortlisted acts will take part in live performances at Gigs busking pitches at iconic London locations, including at St Paul's Cathedral, Westfield London W12, as well as major rail and Tube stations.
- The best acts - as chosen by expert industry judges and the Gigs public vote – will go head-to-head in the Gigs Grand Final at Westfield Stratford City on Sunday 7 September.
- Winners will have the chance to win a coveted year's London Underground busking licence; an all-expenses paid gig at the Matala Beach Festival in Crete June 2015; recording sessions at a top professional studio; a performance training package from The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance; coaching from chart-topping songwriters; a Gibson guitar and other music equipment, exciting performance opportunities and specialist industry advice to help them towards a career in music; plus the opportunity to busk in Paris thanks to Eurostar; the inaugural Gigs 2014 Songwriting Award sponsored by PRS.
- For more information visit www.gigsbigbusk.com / www.facebook.com/gigsbigbusk Twitter: @LDN_Culture #Gigs2014