WELLING: Danson Festival offers family fun (From News Shopper)

WELLING: Danson Festival offers family fun

8:40am Friday 3rd July 2009

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The Danson Festival, one of the biggest free family events in the south east, takes place this weekend. LINDA PIPER looks at what will be on offer.

THE Danson Festival, billed as Bexley’s BIG Weekend, takes place on Saturday and Sunday.

Judging by the line-up of activities and entertainment, there will be plenty for visitors to see and do.

For the first time, it will feature the finalists in the borough’s BeXfactor competition performing on the main stage.

The finalists, all local young talent, have been auditioning and training since March for the chance to appear at the festival with the headline acts.

On Saturday these include the soul, jazz and funk band The Allstars with Jocelyn Brown and Bhangra band Alaap.

And on Sunday the drum sensation The Dhol Foundation will play a vast array of styles from Celtic to hip hop.

Other main stage names on both days include country soul band Phantom Limb, electro rock band Medallist and up-and-coming London band Mamas Gun.

The ever-popular dance stage will showcase the best in the area’s dance talent including ballet, jazz, Russian, Irish and Bangladeshi dancing with a dash of hip hop and street dancing thrown in.

Arena events will include a dog show, falconry displays and a tug-of-war as well as some surprise events and a welcome chance to sit down.

Visitors can see more of the borough’s talent in the Youth Zone, where rappers, dancers, singers and other acts will perform on the youth stage.

For the more energetic, the SportsZone features all kinds of have-a-go sessions, competitions and displays.

There will also be an inter-borough fencing competition as well as displays and a chance to try it out.

Bexley Sub-Aqua Club will be inviting people to try a dive, Erith Rowing Club will offer its roadshow and there will be a mini tennis zone with qualified coaches.

Charlton Athletic will be bringing an inflatable pitch and there will also be martial arts, rugby, gymnastics and a sports-based disability arts display.

And on Danson Lake there will be the chance to try out windsurfing, kayaking and sailing.

The Arts Village will host a range of free activities, including have-a-go pottery and music sessions and a chance to print your own T-shirt.

There will also be poetry, South Asian dance and music workshops from the Eye Music Trust in its Colourscape structure.

Visitors will also be able to see screenings of the short films featured in this year’s Rob Knox Film Festival.

The Cultural Marquee will showcase the wide cultural diversity of the borough.

It features dance, music and singing workshops and the Community Zone will give an opportunity to find out just how many groups and organisations there are in Bexley.

The Community Stage gives an opportunity for clubs, schools, bands and individuals to showcase their talents.

If all this was not enough, the festival also has a classic car show, a craft fair and a funfair.

The festival in Danson Park, Danson Road, Welling, runs from 10am to 6pm each day.

Entry is free, but parking costs £5.50.

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