EAST festival kicks off

EAST is brought together by the Mayor of London and a range of organisations to showcase and celebrate the range of fantastic cultural activity that makes East London one of the most dynamic and creative parts of the capital.

• Head to Spitalfields on Friday for official launch with rousing and colourful display of music and choreography
• One of over 100 specially curated artist-led events during EAST 2010
• Other highlights include Bicycle Polo, Kabbadi, Carrom and other Games themed action
• Free music – by bike – including Soweto Kinch, Sweet Billy Pilgrim and London Gypsy Orchestra

 This year's EAST festival officially kicks off tomorrow lunchtime (Friday 5 March, 1pm-2pm) with the EAST Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony. Featuring an array of Indian and Commonwealth musicians and performers, who will stream out of Spitalfields' very own Routemaster bus, this specially choreographed performance will provide a lively and colourful spectacle to people visiting the renowned market.

The opening ceremony will also include a preview of The Manganiyar Seduction by acclaimed Indian director Roysten Abel and brought to London by The Barbican. With 43 Manganiyars - Muslim musicians from the deserts of Rajasthan using a variety of traditional instruments – this is a magical, uplifting and sensory show, a compelling feast for eye, ear and spirit.

There will also be a dynamic and surprising mix of traditional Scottish and Indian music and rhythm with young musician and performers from the Shree Muktajeevan Dhol and Dance Academies, plus the North Indian Drums, who will delight all market visitors.

The Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony is a highlight of EAST and one of more than 100 events being brought together by London Mayor Boris Johnson and a range of cultural organisations to showcase the vibrant and unique cultural life of East London, an area that has become a magnet for Londoners and tourists alike. It runs until Tuesday 9 March.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'I'm delighted to see the return of the East festival. This year promises to be a real box of delights with a range of world class artists, exciting performances and activities that range from building your own home to bicycle polo in a festival that showcases East London's brightly burning creative spirit. All hail East!'

EAST includes contributions from the likes of cricketer Monty Panesar, historian Dan Cruickshank, playwright Philip Ridley, cook Pinky Lilani, plus music from the acclaimed Portico Quartet, the London Chamber Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Cycle East will take people on a tour of east London venues by bike, offering the chance to catch Mercury nominated Sweet Billy Pilgrim, award winning Soweto Kinch and the London Gypsy Orchestra for free.

Song East will also feature free live gigs at different venues bringing together Muntu Valdo, whose music mixes the blues, African traditions, loops and samples, folk visionary Alasdair Roberts (Drag City) and Kami Thompson, a singer and writer based in London/New York, who also happens to be youngest child of folk duo Richard and Linda Thompson, who has toured with Bonny Prince Billy, brother Teddy Thompson, Sean Lennon and others.

With Commonwealth Day coming during EAST (8 March) and to mark the Delhi Commonwealth Games later this year, the EAST Commonwealth Games will be a chance to take part in as well as watch Bicycle Polo (a demonstration sport in the London 1908 Olympic Games and still enormously popular in India), Kabbadi (involving team tagging and wrestling) and the tabletop game Carrom.

Songs in the Key of London at the Barbican features the likes of Phil Daniels, Chris Difford, Blaine Harrison, Jools Holland, James Hunter, Mike Lindsay, Becky Jacobs, Natty, Rico Rodriguez, Andy Serkis, Chas Smash, Suggs, Glenn Tilbrook and Kathryn Williams.

EAST will also offer the opportunity to build your own ideal East London home, have cooking lessons and participate in cycling and walking tours, taking in different aspects of East London.

Sir Nicholas Kenyon, Managing Director, Barbican Centre said: 'The Barbican Centre is delighted to be a key Festival partner in EAST again this year, working with the GLA and the East London arts community to present innovative programming and to shape inspirational approaches to the arts. This activity is at the heart of the Barbican’s aim to reach out beyond our walls and will enable us to support our partners in creating a legacy of artistic inspiration and excellence as we approach 2012 – and beyond.'

David Jones, Director Serious, which is producing Cycle East and Song East commented: 'East London is a hotbed of creativity and it's great to be able to respond to the fantastic spaces that the East Festival helps to join up.'

Full details about EAST can be found at www.findeast.co.uk.