This summer, Cool Fusion will present a London soundscape of the Olympic past, present and future. Four performances of new music and drama in historic London venues, with integral community outreach, will celebrate the Olympics and Paralympics within the city's vibrant culture. One of the largest voluntary sector initiatives in the Cultural Olympiad, Cool Fusion will showcase the excellence and ambition of the capital's voluntary arts during a summer when the eye of the world is on London.
Chair of Cool Fusion, composer Cedric Peachey says:
"London's lively arts scene embraces an extraordinarily rich mix of classical, contemporary and popular events, ranging from all shades of the musical spectrum to drama and theatre. Cool Fusion takes an innovative blend of these strands and weaves them into the excitement and buzz of London 2012. Working closely with four community groups in Lambeth, Camden, Wandsworth and Westminster, Cool Fusion's focus is on delivering a unique and memorable experience with a distinct local flavour."
Developed collaboratively by twelve composers and four writers, Cool Fusion uses wind orchestra, percussion ensemble, electronics and actors to weave a narrative of exceptional human endeavour. The performance is framed by historical episodes, from sandals to scandals, chariots to wheelchairs, outside track to winners' podium. These are interwoven with works exploring the parallels between music and physical culture, in rhythms of pace, endurance, determination and achievement.
Artistic Director John Holland says:
"The emotional impact of the piece as a whole should be terrific; here we have a collective outpouring of group creativity through music and text that is being harnessed into a unique multimedia entertainment for this special year; the culmination is a fantastic display of talent right across the board and I'm proud to be involved with it. Nearly two years in the making, the road has been a long one - as many an athlete will tell you - but the final result is shaping up to be a magnificent achievement."
Cool Fusion is a partnership of London Composers Forum, Lambeth Wind Orchestra, Colchester New Music and Putney Writers' Circle. Its themes form the basis for outreach projects with primary-age children at Kids' Company in Lambeth and Camden, Wandsworth seniors at Regenerate-RISE, teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorders at Paddock School in Wandsworth, and young adults with learning disabilities at Westminster charity Pursuing Independent Paths.
Cool Fusion is supported by public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, with further support from Wandsworth Borough Council, Westminster City Council, Vital Regeneration and BNP Paribas.
Performances:
- 7:30 pm, 21 July, All Saints Church, Lovelace Road, West Dulwich, London SE21 8JY
- 7:30 pm, 28 July, Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, Camden, London NW1 7AY
- 7:30 pm, 4 August, St. Mary's Church, High Street, Putney, London SW15 1SN
- 7:30 pm, 1 September, St. Michael's Church, Chester Square, Belgravia, London SW1W 9HH
Tickets: ?12/?10 concessions. Call 0844 888 9991, booking fee applies; group bookings of five tickets or more qualify for the concessionary rate on all tickets.
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