Preview of Hammersmith and Fulham Festival 2004

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"The biggest and best celebration yet of arts, sports and community events"

Performers and volunteers for the borough's Festival 2004 enjoyed a bird's-eye view of the borough and a lightning preview of this year's festival at the top of one of west London's highest buildings this week.

An array of festival performers - including actors, musicians and comedians - were joined at the top of the 30-storey Empress State Building, in Fulham, by the borough's mayor, Cllr Charlie Treloggan, and Team Festival volunteers. They gathered to launch the third annual Hammersmith & Fulham Festival with a five-minute series of edited highlights.

The Five-Minute Festival run-down was compèred by comedian and BBC London 94.9FM radio presenter Geoff Schumann. The fast-paced highlights squeezed in as much of the festival as possible - including theatre, comedy, music and sport - and featured several star performers from the extravaganza, including:

• Actors Mark Monero (formerly of EastEnders) and Fiona Bell, both from the cast of Adrenalin . . . Heart at The Bush Theatre, which is offering 20 free tickets for borough residents on Saturday, 3 April. Mark and Fiona performed a brief excerpt from the play
• Donna Spence, comedienne appearing in The Best Comes to the West 2004, at Hammersmith Town Hall on Thursday, 8 April, which also features comics Felicity Ethnic and Geoff Schumann and music stars Mica Paris and Roachford. Donna performed a mini-routine at today's launch
• Maria Zachariadou, cellist with the Hanbarne Baroque Ensemble. The ensemble will perform at Hammersmith Town Hall on Sunday, 18 April. Maria treated guests at the festival launch to a burst of J S Bach
• Also performing were saxophonist Frank Griffith and guitarist Richard Niles, who are playing at the Bluejay Jazz Lounge during the festival
• Michael Cole, London football development officer from Chelsea FC, gave a lightning coaching session for Team Festival volunteers at the launch. Coaches from Chelsea FC and Fulham FC will be running a free football training session at Hurlingham Park on Saturday, 17 April
• Simon Rodway, local Blue Badge tour guide, gave launch guests a taste of his local history expertise. The festival features a fascinating variety of guided walks
• Kelly Burns brought along her amazing colourful bags made from recycled carrier bags, which go on show as part of the Retainable Reclaimable exhibition at Hammersmith Information Centre from 5 - 18 April.

Geoff Schumann, who presents the Lunchtime Laugh-in slot on BBC London 94.9FM, said: "I am glad to be associated with the Hammersmith & Fulham Festival, which is one of the most vibrant and diverse festivals in London."

As well as being involved in the The Best Comes to the West show, Geoff will be running a performance workshop on Thursday, 15 April with actor Ninia Benjamin from the BBC3 comedy 3 Non Blondes. This will give young people aged under 24 a chance to develop their talent and perform for an audience of family and friends.

The borough's mayor, Cllr Charlie Treloggan, said: "The Five-Minute Festival was a taster of the 100-plus events to come during the festival fortnight. Festival 2004 will be the biggest and best celebration yet of arts, sports and community events for borough residents and visitors. Local people of all ages can enjoy performances at the borough's entertainment venues, see a range of exhibitions or take part in a tea dance, a young people's performance workshop or children's football sessions with professional coaches from Fulham FC and Chelsea FC. I would like to thank the council staff, performers and Team Festival volunteers who are giving their time and energy to make this year's festival possible."

Many of the volunteers from Team Festival are recruited and co-ordinated by the Hammersmith & Fulham Volunteer Development Agency.

March 27, 2004