Danson Festival 2007 -
30 June & 1 July

The Danson Festival 2007 programme (1.43MB, pdf file) features all the acts and events that will happen each day, as well as a detailed map.

Photo Gallery

Main Stage Performers

Arts Village

Soul stars, languid Latinos, demon drummers, floating dragons and much, much more!

The beautiful parkland of Danson Park in Bexleyheath will once again come to spectacular life on 30 June and 1 July with one of the South East's largest outdoor events – The Danson Festival.

Headlining the main stage, hosted and programmed by 103.7 TGR Sound Community Radio on Sunday night will be the All Stars featuring American soul star Jocelyn Brown – who has worked with John Lennon, Luther Vandross and Janis Joplin. In 2007, she appeared with actor John Bardon who plays Jim Branning in "Eastenders" on the BBC's - "Just the Two of Us".

Also appearing are Conjunto Sabrosa, one of the most accomplished Salsa bands to have emerged from the UK in recent years. Bringing together some of the best Latin musicians under the leadership of charismatic Columbian – Luz Elena Caicedo, this is guaranteed to get the audience dancing – a perfect opportunity for parents to embarrass their children.

The Arts Village will showcase some of the very best street theatre from around the country with stunning walkabout performers, mechanical creations, graduate and community performances, music performances as well as circus, acrobatic acts, art and photography displays, the Cineworld cinema tent and a cultural marquee. It's not all about watching other people perform, members of the public will have plenty of chances to learn new skills and perhaps discover some hidden talents in the beautiful interactive marquee.

The Arts Village stage programme will bring the world to Danson Park with 1940's style cabaret performances, magic shows, bands that are more suited to the circus than the stage and the highlight of Sunday's programme – five hours of world-class global music programmed by one of Europe's leading agencies – Continental Drifts, who will be providing the 21st Century Silk Road stage from their highly acclaimed Global Local project.

Festival programming will also pay particular attention to highlighting the rich and diverse talent that exists in the Bexley area with showcase opportunities for local groups and talents.

This years sports zone highlights include the Tour de France Roadshow, as Bexley gears up to welcome le Tour just a week later. There will be 'have a go' cycle sessions run by Go-Ride Bexley and British Cycling, as well as Rich Johnson's amazing cycle stunt displays. The official Rugby Football Union Roadshow will be making a return and there will be interactive and inflatable football fun with Charlton Athletic's blow up pitch out plus Kent Cricket's huge inflatable bowling net and catching castle. On top of all these interactive activities the sports zone will also feature a host of performances by local clubs ranging from weightlifting and gymnastics, to martial arts and an inaugural fencing tournament, Duel in the Park.

If your idea of a good day out is watching other people work hard, then you will love Dragon Boat racing on the Park's 9 acre lake. Raising money for The Anthony Nolan Trust, heroic teams will battle for supremacy in their 30ft long highly decorated boats, in time to the beat of a bass drum.

Danson Festival is one of the best family days out of the summer and with free admission, there is no better place to be.