Showtime, Free Festival in Hounslow High Street

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Red Poppy Ladies' Percussion and more

RED POPPY LADIES’ PERCUSSION arrives in Hounslow High Street on Saturday 18 August as part of Showtime a free festival provided by the Mayor of London and London 2012 Festival giving all Londoners the chance to enjoy world-class entertainment and culture on their doorstep. www.molpresents.com/showtime

Relive the spell-binding synchronization of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony with a performance by Red Poppy Ladies’ Percussion. The Chinese drumming group’s members take the stage in traditional costume to play on more than 40 percussion instruments.  Red Poppies unique artistic style mixes traditional and contemporary influences from both Eastern and Western music, pairing fast beats with dramatic lighting and elements of dance. Catch a snippet of their style and dynamism on the links below:

The Hounslow High Street Showtime performance on Saturday 18 August runs from 11am – 4pm and performances include dancers, musicians, clowns, circus acts and even giant model dinosaurs rushing about including:

UPSWING DANCE 
A light hearted, fast paced fusion of aerial dance and hip hop centered on the pursuit of love. Created as a collaboration between Vicki Amedume and Jonzi D, working with a group of young dancers and using staging and equipment that allows performers to explore new realms of movement

RED POPPY LADIES' PERCUSSION
Red Poppy Ladies’ Percussion repertoire mixes traditional and contemporary influences from both Eastern and Western music, pairing fast beats with dramatic lighting and elements of dance

CLOSE ACT: SAURAS 
The biggest beasts that ever walked the earth return to the twenty first century. With a deafening roar these Sauruses charge through the crowds, looking for food to calm their hunger. A jaw dropping interactive work for all ages.

WET PICNIC
Clowning, slapstick comedy and acrobatics. Expect lots of audience participation

LYRIX ORGANIX
A live relay between musicians, poets, freestyle MCs, beat boxers and street artists.

BASH STREET - STRONGMAN Inspired by Charlie Chaplin’s 1928 film ‘The Circus’, THE STRONGMAN tells a story of intrigue and jealousy, with a big helping of comedy and musical ‘joie de vivre’. Set in the 1920s, the story involves a travelling show that has just lost its headline act. The Strongman has died, and if his assistant doesn’t find a replacement she will be forced to quit the circus. To make matters worse, the Boss is stealing her share of the profits. Who can save her from homelessness and destitution? Will she find a Strongman in time? And will he be able to lift the two-ton challenge that awaits him?

August 9, 2012