July festivals in Maritime Greenwich
The Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site will be celebrating summer with an array of festivals and special events during July. The fun starts on Thursday 8th with the opening of the five day Beer & Jazz Festival, while 24 – 26 July sees a special Cultural Olympiad ‘Open Weekend’ with an array of free events including the launch of the first Greenwich Film Festival and a host of cultural festivities.
Lunar-themed events for all the family will also take place at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, and also the 400th anniversary of English astronomer Thomas Harriot's historic observations and first drawing of the moon in 1609.
Beer & Jazz Festival 8 - 12 July:
The second, outdoor Greenwich Beer & Jazz Festival returns to the King Charles lawn at the Old Royal Naval College for five days and nights from 8 – 12 July. Celebrating London’s tradition and expertise in brewing fine real ales, and the rich brewing history of the College itself, this official CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) festival will be offering over 140 real ales, lagers, ciders and bottled beers from some of the best British Breweries.
From chilled lunchtimes to energetic evening sessions, the jazz line-up features an eclectic mix of summer sounds with the very best in traditional jazz, funk, blues and soul. The music will just keep on coming from 12.30pm to 10pm with headline acts including jazz legend Courtney Pine, Jonny Boston and TJ Johnson along with the funk James Taylor Quartet, ska heroes Los Albertos and the sweet bossa nova vibes of Jandira Silva. Prices start from £5 per person for entry before 5pm on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday rising to £20 for Saturday evening. For full details and advance booking visit greenwichbeerandjazzfestival.com.
Cultural Olympiad ‘Open Weekend’ 24 - 26 July:
The jewel in the crown of Greenwich’s 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme will be the Open Weekend between 24 and 26 July when an inspiring range of free events and activities will be presented by some of Greenwich’s best cultural groups.
This will include Heatwave, an open-air music and dance session from 12noon to 6pm on Sunday, 26 July around the bandstand in Greenwich Park with traditional performances from around the world. All are welcome to bring a blanket and a picnic to enjoy an afternoon of free family entertainment.
Also on 26 July, will be an impressive formation of giant Dominoes. Thousands of concrete blocks will be used to create a moving sculpture along a 15-kilometre route, unfolding over the course of the day. Beginning in Newham, the starting ceremony will see a structure of hundreds of blocks brought to life by a group of performers. Eventually the line will cross the Thames, concluding at dusk in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. For details of these and other events on the Open Weekend, please visit greenwich.gov.uk/whatson.
Greenwich Film Festival
A major highlight of the weekend’s entertainment will be the new Greenwich Film Festival, which marks the town’s celebrated connection with the silver screen. Free screenings will include the 2008 blockbuster film, The Other Boleyn Girl, at The 02 Vue cinema on Sunday evening, 26 July to mark Greenwich’s Tudor past. Both Henry VIII, who was crowned 500th years ago this year, and his daughter with Anne Boleyn (later to become Queen Elizabeth I) were born in Greenwich Palace, which is now the site of the Old Royal Naval College. There will also be a free guided walks of some of the iconic Greenwich locations that have lit up the big screen over the years starting at the Ranger’s House in the Royal Park.
In addition, Greenwich Council is offering an exciting challenge to budding local film-makers, which could lead to their film being screened at the official festival launch at The 02 Vue cinema and a cash prize. For more details visit greenwich.gov.uk/filmfestival.
Moon Weekend
The Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park will be staging a lunar-themed weekend of special family events to mark the 40th anniversary of man’s first steps on the moon including two days of shows with a lunar twist on 25 and 26 July in the Peter Harrison Planetarium. Families will be able to relive the excitement of the Apollo 11 landing in Dawn of the Space Age or find out where to look for the moon that evening in The Sky Tonight, with commentary from one of the astronomers.
There will also be free ‘ask an astronomer’ sessions when visitors can get answers to moon related questions, as well as drop-in family workshops where children can build their own paper spacecraft models and prepare to become the next explorers of the moon. For more details log onto nmm.ac.uk.
Getting to Greenwich and more Information
Other key attractions in Maritime Greenwich include the National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House, Ranger’s House, The Fan Museum and St Alfege Church. The vibrant covered market and town centre with its historic 17th and 18th century buildings and independent shops also provides plenty to explore, and by night visitors can enjoy the thriving restaurants, bars, theatre and live entertainment.
Maritime Greenwich is easily reached via the Docklands Light Railway alighting at Cutty Sark, or the Southeastern rail service from London Bridge. Alternatively visitors can travel by boat to Greenwich Pier. For further information on travel, events, places to visit and accommodation visit greenwichwhs.org.uk.
