17-day Blackheath Big Screen festival details announced

Lewisham Council writes:

Programme details for The Lewisham Big Screen have now been announced. The 17-day festival on Blackheath will start with the Olympic Opening Ceremony on Friday 27 July and finish with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday 12 August. Alongside live BBC coverage of the Games on a giant outdoor screen will be a daily programme of entertainment, music and activities for the whole family.

A magnificent, decorated Spiegeltent will be the centrepiece for live music and entertainment alongside the big screen. Highlights in the tent will include:

- Live music, song and dance from, amongst others, members of the BBC Singers, Lewisham Live musicians, Orchestra from the Age of Enlightenment and the Icarus Club.
- Speakeasy – a day of spoken word from performance poets, storytellers, rap artists and local creative talent
- Chances to find out about lots of different sports from judo to cricket, athletics to rugby. Discover your own inner athlete and find out how easy it is to get active!

August 4 is Super Saturday when lots of medals will be won and lost, and Blackheath will host a huge number of community groups and voluntary organisations as they set out their stalls. In the Spiegeltent, local people will perform throughout the day, showcasing the best of Lewisham talent.

Different days will mean different opportunities. It might be visual arts from Deptford X, street theatre that amazes and astounds, farmers’ markets and so much more.

Throughout the Games, Blackheath will have food and drink outlets, a big wheel, carousel, have-a-go sporting activities and daily entertainment; not forgetting the great shopping, eating and refreshment areas in Blackheath Village itself – so close to the heath and part of the last mile to Greenwich Park, the Olympic venue for the modern pentathlon and the equestrian events.

Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, said: "Super Saturday will be a particularly special day as we see community groups and voluntary organisations making such good use of the whole of The Lewisham Big Screen on Blackheath.”

www.lewisham.gov.uk/bigscreen