Press Releases

Dates announced for Ealing Summer Festival 2007 (PR 983)

Ealing Summer is back bigger and better in 2007 with an enhanced programme of events, including two new festivals.

Running from 7 July – 2 September the festival will see the big names of comedy, jazz, blues and world music return to Ealing for al-fresco fun and entertainment.

But if that's not enough to whet the appetite, this year also sees the launch of Opera in the Park and the Ealing Literary Festival.

Opera in the Park will debut with Bizet's Carmen performed by the renowned Opera A La Carte, whilst the Literary Festival will bring together established and emerging authors.

Councillor Nigel Sumner, Cabinet Member for Health and Community Well Being, said: "Ealing Summer is a vibrant mix of music, art, food and performance staged in the heart of West London.

"The festival consistently attracts the big names in entertainment and we are building on this reputation to launch two new festivals; Opera in the Park and the Ealing Literary Festival. Another highlight is the 20th anniversary of the Blues Festival.

"Ealing Summer truly is a festival of the people with a diverse range of acts offering something for everyone, in a family-friendly environment."

The box office for the Ealing Comedy Festival and Opera in the Park will open Friday, 1 June, telephone (020) 8825 6277.

To be sure not to miss out on tickets and to receive information on line-ups, email eventsmarketing@ealing.gov.uk to join the Ealing Summer mailing list.

You can also keep up-to-date by visiting www.ealing.gov.uk/ealingsummer.

Ealing Summer 2007 – West London’s hottest festival – includes the following:

The relaunch of the Greenford Carnival
7 July
Ravenor Park, Greenford
Cost: £1
The rich and diverse cultures found throughout Greenford will be the inspiration for this year's Carnival, with a vibrant and varied programme of events, including a funfair, food and art market, performances and demonstrations of Caribbean, Bollywood, Bhangra, Salsa and Latin dancing.

Ealing Comedy Festival
13, 14, 15,18,19 and 20 July
Walpole Park, Ealing
Cost: £16
Ealing Comedy Festival has grown to be one of London's leading comedy events, with sold-out shows from headline acts and the big names of the future. This year, Lee Hurst and Lee Mack will join us under the famous Big Top.

Opera in the Park
16 – 17 July
Walpole Park, Ealing
Cost: £20
This year sees the debut of opera as part of the Ealing Summer programme. Produced by Opera A La Carte, Walpole Park will provide a stage for George Bizet's Carmen.

Blues Festival
21 July
Walpole Park, Ealing
Cost: £1
This year we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the blues festival and to mark the birthday Manfred Mann's Paul Jones tops the bill.

Global Festival
22 July
Walpole Park, Ealing
Cost: £1
Entering its second year, this is a vibrant celebration of music from around the globe. Highlights of 2006 included Ska Cubano and La Xula.

Jazz Festival
25 – 29 July
Walpole Park, Ealing
Cost: £1
This internationally acclaimed festival is now in its 22nd year and attracts big bands, the big names of jazz, as well as up-and-coming performers.

The London Mela
12 August
Gunnersbury Park
Cost: Free
London's largest Asian cultural festival enters its 5th year. With more than 50,000 spectators, this is one of the most colourful and vibrant festivals in the country. With a number of stages ranging from classical Asian music to the new beats on the Radio 1 stage, there is something for everyone at this family event.

Literary Festival
1 – 2 September
Acton Green Common
Cost: Free
Another new festival added to the Ealing Summer calendar which will bring together established and emerging authors.


ENDS

Notes for Editors
- Greenford Carnival
Ravenor Park, Greenford
Access: Eastmead Avenue, Ruislip Road, Greenford Road, and Ravenor Park Road

- Ealing Summer
Walpole Park, Ealing
Access: Mattock Lane, W5

Rail:  Ealing Broadway Station - Central and District line tube and mainline
        South Ealing - Piccadilly tube line
Bus:  65, 83, 112, 207, 297, 427, 607, E1, E2, E7, E8, E9, E10, E11, PR1

-  The London Mela
Gunnersbury Park
Access: Popes Lane, W3

Rail:  Acton Town - Piccadilly and District line tube
Bus:  E3 Greenford - Chiswick via Popes Lane.
        207 Shepherd's Bush - Uxbridge (alight at Ealing Common, five minutes walk down Gunnersbury Avenue)

- Literary Festival
Acton Green Common, Acton
Access: The Avenue, South Parade, Acton Lane and Hardwicke Road

Rail: Chiswick Park Station - District Line
Bus: 440, 272