TRAFALGAR SQUARE FESTIVAL 4-21 August 2005 (Thursday – Sunday) Times: Thursday at 6pm; Friday at 9pm; Saturday and Sunday at 3pm Entry: FREE – OPEN TO ALL www.london.gov.uk

The first Trafalgar Square Festival, a three-week season of free live performance supported by the Mayor of London, which kicks off on Thursday 4 August, includes a new commission from Akademi, as well as other Asian performers. This newly commissioned South Asian dance performance by Akademi will bring together 15 dancers on the central steps of Trafalgar Square. It will explore the theme of "the city dreams" from an Asian London perspective. Combining classical and contemporary styles, the show will be directed by the acclaimed Bharat Natyam and choreographer Mavin Khoo. A unique vision of London life and culture.

London-based choreographer Vena Ramphal has created a choreographed conversation with the plinth of Nelson's Column. Responding to Trafalgar Square's colonial design but contemporary identification with protest and resistance, the new work will be a personal reflection on the energy and vitality of London as a city of dreams.

Samsalamat, the collaboration between Sambangra and Bakshi Javed Salamat Qawwal is a showcase, featuring Qawwali, South Asian and other styles blended with Sambangra’s Afro-Brazilian/Asian percussion-based dance grooves. The Bakhshi Salamat brothers are descendants of the great Roorey Khan and their father was Bakhshi Salamat, the greatest of his generation in this famous Qawwali lineage. Sambangra and BJS produce a mix of music with many roots, but one soul. Performing separately and together, they will draw you into the magic of their music and transport you towards an incredible Sufi-Hip-Hop crescendo.

In the Dholdrums by The Dhol Academy and Walk the Plank is a processional music piece inspired by the North Indian dhol drum. A giant, mobile dhol drum is paraded flanked by stilt performers and drummers. It bursts open to reveal more drummers inside, becoming a three-tiered stage on which the Dhol Academy perform a percussive finale. The performance was originally commissioned by the London Mela from an original concept by Ajay Chhabra.

The Trafalgar Square Festival features work being seen in the UK for the first time, plus brand new commissions from the UK and overseas, and has been devised to respond to the historic surroundings of the square, whilst reflecting the vibrancy and energy of London as a modern city.

The Trafalgar Square Festival's overall theme is City Rites and reflects on modern life in the capital. Each week focuses on a different idea. Week one (4-7 August) is called The City Dreams, focusing on the inner life of the capital. In week two, The City Speaks (11-14 August) considers London's diversity, its many voices and stories, whilst the final week (18-21 August) will bring the festival to an upbeat and lively close with The City Celebrates.

The Mayor said: 'Historically, Trafalgar Square has always been a space for people to come together, whether in protest or celebration. Since we improved it, the square has experienced a renaissance and is now widely considered to be more than an iconic tourist attraction, or somewhere to sit or meet people. It has become London's stage and one of the world's most exciting outdoor venues.'

Trafalgar Square Festival 2005 - programme summary

Thursday performances start at 6pm · Friday performances start at 9pm · Saturday and Sunday performances start at 3pm · Programme subject to change · Performer information follows at the end · Public information: www.london.gov.uk

WEEK ONE - THE CITY DREAMS
Thursday 4 – Sunday 7 August 2005

Thursday 4 August, 6pm
Font Life by Irie! Dance Theatre COMMISSION
The Cone Dancers by The Dream Engine
Heliosphere by The Dream Engine
Let's Get Wet by Factoria Mascara (Spain) LONDON EXCLUSIVE

Friday 5 August, 9pm
Font Life by Irie! Dance Theatre
Let's Get Wet by Factoria Mascara

Saturday 6 August, 3pm
Font Life by Irie! Dance Theatre
Akademi COMMISSION

Sunday 7 August, 3pm
Font Life by Irie! Dance Theatre
Londoner by Vena Ramphal COMMISSION
Sought a trick in every phrase by Stacked Wonky

WEEK TWO - THE CITY SPEAKS
Thursday 11 – Sunday 14 August 2005

Thursday 11 August, 6pm
STAND by The Shout COMMISSION
Voices by Upswing
Jane Sekonya
Arka by Teatr Osmego Dnia (Theatre of the 8th Day) (REPLACES SEMOLA THEATRE)

Friday 12 August, 9pm
STAND by The Shout
Arka by Teatr Osmego Dnia (Theatre of the 8th Day)

Saturday 13 August, 3pm
STAND BY The Shout
Akademi

Sunday 14 August, 3pm
STAND by The Shout
Zoo Nation
Twitch
Irven Lewis Dance Theatre

WEEK THREE - THE CITY CELEBRATES
Thursday 18 – Sunday 21 August 2005

Thursday 18 August, 6pm
Chinese Two-Step: 1925-2005 by Yellow Earth COMMISSION
Clockwork by Warner & Consorten (The Netherlands) LONDON PREMIERE

Friday 19 August, 9pm
Chinese Two-Step: 1925-2005 by Yellow Earth
Red Earth

Saturday 20 August, 3pm
Chinese Two-Step: 1925-2005 by Yellow Earth
Kinetica Bloco
In the Dhol Drums by Dhol Academy/Walk the Plank
Samsalamat

Sunday 21 August, 3pm
Chinese Two-Step: 1925-2005 by Yellow Earth
Calle 4 by Provisional Danza
Pink Jukebox
Up in the Air by Hatstand Opera