Community Events in Bexley

Developing our Cultural Community

Danson Festival 2006 - 1 & 2 July

Download Festival Programme here...

The Danson Festival 2006 programme (pdf file, 1.51MB) features all the acts and events that will happen each day, as well as a detailed map.

Festival highlights...

Danson Festival 2006 promises to be bigger and better than ever before, with a two day extravaganza that will appeal to all the family. From the esoteric talents of Peter Andre and Rowetta on the Main Stage, to what promises to be survival of the fittest in the Dragon Boat Racing on Danson Lake. From line dancing with Funky Country UK, to a Culture Zone that offers interactive sports pods, inflatable arenas and performances from both arts and sports groups. Together with the Dance Stage, Fun Fair, Youth Zone, Garden Zone, Environmental Zone, local groups, community stalls, and a massive variety of other attractions, the Danson Festival 2006 truely will be a weekend to remember.

Clicking on some areas of the map below will jump to more information about the weekend's entertainment. Alternatively, download the programme via the link above for a complete overview.

Main Stage

Peter Andre

After selling more than 300,000 copies of his Mysterious Girl single following his appearance on 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here', Peter Andre is once again firmly established in the public eye.

At the age of 19, Peter had his first hit in Australia with Gimme A Little Sign. By the age of 23 he had been chosen to be a guest performer for the Madonna and Bobby Brown concert tours. This exposure led to new opportunities as he returned to the UK to continue writing and recording music for a wider market.

He became the first Australian artist to have had a single (Flava) debut in the UK singles chart at No. 1. Then followed 3 Top 5 hits including two No.1's and a total of 11 Top 10 hits worldwide. His most successful single was Mysterious Girl, which sold over 2 million copies.

Peter's next single I Feel You also entered the charts at No. 1 and following on from this came his first UK album, 'Natural', which also debuted at No. 1.

Peter's album 'The Long Road Back' was released on the 7 June 2004 and it truly has been a long road back for him. But 2004 was an amazing year, with a sell out tour and a number 1 hit.

During most of 2004, Peter and Jordan (real name Katie Price), were followed by a camera crew, to create the 'fly on the wall' documentary 'When Jordan met Peter', aired on ITV1, which revealed not only the secrets behind the pairs' very separate careers, but also the development of their personal relationship together.

2005 again saw Peter and Jordan followed by a camera crew, for the ITV series 'Marriage and Mayhem', following them through all the major events in their lives this year, including the birth of their son Junior, and their recent marriage.

www.peter-andre.net
 

Rowetta

Manchester born Rowetta began singing as a child, performing in talent competitions before progressing to singing in clubs as a teenager.

In her early career she sang with Vanilla Sound Corps and Dynasty of 2, as well as on Simply Red's 'Stars' album on backing vocals. Rowetta appeared on numerous other records as a backing vocalist, including Inner City, Billy Ocean, Rebel MC, Julia Fordham, Brooklyn's Poor & Needy and PJ Proby.

In 1989 Rowetta signed a publishing deal and started to write and record with other artists including Andy Rourke, Mick Jones, Youth, KLF and Stereo MCs. Later that year Rowetta's life took a major turn when she saw the Happy Mondays perform. She was so hooked that she pestered the Mondays' manager Nathan McGough, and ended up singing on the next Mondays' single Step On. Within a matter of weeks Rowetta was performing on Top of the Pops, playing Wembley Arena and enjoying a UK Top 5 single.

As part of the Happy Mondays team Rowetta featured on many songs on the critically acclaimed, 'Pills, Thrills N Bellyaches' as well as the group's final album 'Yes Please'. Following the band's split she took some time off to spend some much needed time with her children and write songs.

The turn of the century saw Rowetta playing herself in '24 Hour Party People' alongside Steve Coogan and appearing on the Playgroup album with Trevor "The Underdog" Jackson. Further session work and song writing continued, in particular with Graeme Park, 2 ex Mondays (Paul Ryder & Paul Davis) and Groove Armada.

In 2004 Rowetta entered ITV's X Factor and millions of homes and hearts. Her enormous voice set her apart from the other 50,000 entrants and established her as Simon Cowell's favourite. The last woman standing, Rowetta came fourth to Steve Brookstein, G4 and Tabby. Since the show Rowetta has released her debut solo album.

www.rowetta.com
 

Austin Drage

Austin has been in a variety of stage shows and television programmes. As a child he appeared in local stage shows including; Oliver, Waiting for Godot and Snake in the Grass, appearing alongside actors such as Kevin Whately, Ben Kingsley, Dennis Quilley and Alan Howard. Newspaper reports at the time praised him because of his outstanding acting abilities. In 1999 Austin appeared in the award winning movie "Snatch" alongside Brad Pitt and Vinnie Jones, he played the part of a young boy. Later that year he also played the title role of a project titled "The Kid". As well as this Austin has appeared in advertisements including the Nivea adverts and the "City and Guilds University Promotion" commercials.
More recently, Austin has appeared in ITV's "The Bill" on separate occasions and BBC's "Casualty". Earlier this year he appeared in CBBC's "Living It (Playground)" as a character name Jarod. Austin appeared in many episodes.

Musically Austin was a finalist for Smash Hits Magazine's "Oxy Band" where he was the last male finalist. He sang solo for the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in 2002 at Waltham Forest Town Hall while she was on a visit there.

Austin is currently spending time recording solo material and auditioning for constantly arising opportunities. He does local and national events.

Songwriting has played a part in Austin's success to date, turning to the like of Lionel Ritchie, Stevie Wonder and The Who for inspiration… hoping one day to emulate his idols.
 

Jason Brock

Jason was thrown into the limelight at only sixteen when he appeared on ITV's Pop Idol 2, receiving compliments from music's elite.

With appearances on a number of television appearances and advertising campaigns under his belt, Jason is now taken the solo route, working with hit-selling record-breaking producer Howard New (Lucie Silvas, Emma Bunton, Rachel Stevens, Gareth Gates and Beverley Knight.) on future tracks.

Jason's inspirations range from Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie to the more modern female vocalists such as Christine Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson and Mariah Carey.
 

Shirin

Shirin is a young Singer Songwriter who at the tender age of 15 is a rising star. In 2004 she recorded her song 'So Alone' and dedicated it to Kidscape as an Anti Bullying song that tells of the effects of bullying from a personal experience. Money raised from the song was shared bewteen Kidscape and The Rainbow Centre, a charity for children born with cerebral palsy. The song has already received airtime on WAVE105FM, Invincible Radio and BBC1XtraFM.

2006 is becoming a busy year for Shirin with a song 'Addiction' she co-wrote with Bajan Producer Elmore 'Radar' Roach being released this summer on a compilation album by CRS Music & Media in Barbados. As well as appearing at Danson Festival, on 8 July Shirin will also feature at The Eltham Carnival alongside other UMG Artists. Shirin is then invited to Ottawa Ontario through Amity Records of Canada in August to perform alongside 'Bella Canto' at a Youth Festival promoting Anti-Racism.

Shirin's debut album is planned for release in 2007.

www.shirinuk.com
 

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Line Dancing

New for 2006 Line Dancing has officially arrived at Danson Festival. One of the most popular recreation activities in the UK, line dancing is enjoyable for all ages and all abilities. Not only is it just a form of dance but it's also a great form of exercise and carries with it a vibrant social scene. Don't miss out on the chance to come down and have a go in the line dancing marquee on Saturday and Sunday.

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Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon Boat Racing is believed to have originated in China over 4,000 years ago and is a sport shrouded in myth and legend. Today Dragon Boat Racing has become a popular, addictive and exhilarating team event. It's one of the best-kept secrets of the rowing world! No experience is necessary; all you need is a team of 11 and buckets of enthusiasm.

The Anthony Nolan Trust takes back lives from leukaemia by managing and recruiting new donors to the UK's most successful bone marrow register, currently there are over 7,000 children and adults whose only chance of survival is a bone marrow transplant. By joining us for the very first Dragon Boat Race held by Anthony Nolan at the Danson Festival 2006 participants will be joining a team dedicated to fighting this devastating disease.

It's not too late to join in at the Danson Festival, and you can do so by:

• calling Louise Wright 01634 221666;
• texting Dragon to 07909 907205 with your full name and address;
• email louise.wright@anthonynolan.org.uk; or
• visit the website www.anthonynolan.org.uk for further information.

The days racing will commence at 9am and finish approx 5pm, £13 entry fee per person with a commitment to raise £45 per person.

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Culture Zone

An interactive sports and arts experience! One interactive Charlton Athletic sports science zone; PLUS two performance areas - one sport and one arts that will see local clubs and groups show off their talents; PLUS three official roadshows with inflatable sports zones for rugby and cricket (see below); PLUS six interactive pods with golf, table tennis, fencing, taekwondo, basketball and even skiing; PLUS more than ten community and arts displays, performances and a mini-cinema! All adds up to the intriguing, impressive and interactive Culture Zone.

KCB Roadshow

The KCB (Kent Cricket Board) roadshow will allow youngsters to perform a variety of key basic skills such as bowling (in inflatable cricket nets) and catching (in the bouncy castle) and cricket related movement. The roadshow will give all participants a positive and fun experience as well as providing them with information relating to where they can go on to play and watch cricket in the future.

RFU Roadshow

The RFU (Rugby Football Union) Roadshow will also be at the festival, complete with an inflatable kicking cage and bungee run, as featured at last years 'Scrum in the Park' event up in Regent's Park.

BCF Unit

The British Cycling Federation Unit will be laden with information on the GB national teams as well as details on the 'Go Ride' national cycling programme. If you ask nicely they might even say a word or two about the Tour de France that's coming through Bexley next year.

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