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Successful Launch of the Portsmouth Festivities 2008
This week saw the launch of the 2008 Portsmouth Festivities which
will take place from 21 to 29 June, a nine day summer celebration
of the arts across the city with which the school is closely involved,
and this year there is a hugely exciting and wide-ranging programme
of events on offer.
A reception was held on 23 April at the Royal Marines Museum, which
is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and where one of the
Festivities events will be taking place featuring former Royal Marine
Paddy Ashdown. The gathering of sponsors, representatives of the
Arts Council, the City Council, members of the press, local artists
and others celebrated the launch of this year's programme.
This is the first Festivities under the guidance of new Chairman
James Priory who introduced the programme and outlined the plans
ahead. 'I am thrilled to be the new Chairman of Portsmouth Festivities
having seen the Festivities grow in confidence and ambition over
recent years. The programme for 2008 is particularly wide ranging
and offers even more for families and young people. We want to inspire
the city’s young people by giving them the chance to experience
some of the best things happening in the arts today, as well as
to encourage them to take part and develop their own hidden talents.
This year’s programme will appeal to all tastes and ages and
promises nine days of celebration and inspiration across the city
in June.”
Festivities 2008 will celebrate our links with Europe as the City
marks the 21st anniversary of its twinning with Caen. Poet and comedian
Ian McMillan will be devising a new musical work with children from
both cities across the Channel, whilst Louis de Bernieres picks
up the mandolin to perform in the Square Tower. Pupils from the
school will be performing the Monteverdi Vespers with internationally
renowned tenor Charles Daniels and His Majesty's Sagbutts &
Cornetts. Speakers include Paddy Ashdown, Jonathan Miller, General
Sir Mike Jackson and Dame Beryl Bainbridge. Outstanding young ‘cellist
Natalie Clein will perform with the European Union Chamber Orchestra
and Flamenco Express will perform at the New Theatre Royal. Leading
Children’s Theatre Company Tall Stories will perform a new
show for children age 4 + How the Giraffe Got its Neck and writers
GP Taylor and Michelle Magorian will talk to older children about
their work. With Young Musicians' platforms throughout the week
and master classes with experts such as Zoë Tyler from the
BBC's Any Dream Will Do, the Festivities is an opportunity for new,
local talent to flourish.
The week starts with the launch of the Round Britain Powerboat Race,
best viewed from Southsea Castle, and on the final weekend The Band
of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth will perform a free family concert
in the Dockyard. And hot off the press, the BBC have agreed to record
Radio 4's hit comedy The Now Show live in the Kings Theatre! There
is something for everyone in this year's Festivities. For a full
progrmame of events visit www.portsmouthfestivities.co.uk
or e.festivities@pgs.org.uk
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Nursery & Junior
School (023) 9236 4219