By News Reporters
Free summer lunchtime street entertainment started in Fitzroy Square on May 31, and continues on various Thursdays until September.
The idea was born when classical singer Tamara Stein needed somewhere for a fundraising performance in aid of African charity Sentebale.
The Fitzrovia Residents’ Association kindly agreed to let the soprano use the garden in September 2011 to fulfil her challenge ‘performing a solo-mini-opera in a public space’. Tamara was approached to come back in 2012 and maybe ask one or two of her friends as well. She did and managed to put together an eclectic programme of what international talent London has to offer.
They include: Paul Taylor, a unique globe trotting poet and a highly skilled trombone player, on May 31; Abigail Collins, well known on the London cabaret circuit as one of the most athletic and funny hula hoop artists, on June 14; the prize-winning Italian flautist Sara Minelli, on June 28; the hilarious female Barber Shop combo, The Kitchen Quartet, will introduce a few of cheeky and pensive songs from their new CD on July 19; soprano Tamara Stein will bring her staged interpretation of Schuman’s Frauenliebe und Leben back to the place for which it was conceived, on August 2; the beautiful international oriental dancer Naïma, who specialises in Egyptian cabaret style dancing, will entertain with sensuous belly-dancing on August 23; the Scottish/Franco-Canadian aerial and fire artist La Scarah closes the festival on September 6.
All performances start at 1.15pm and last around 20 minutes. Entrance to the garden is on the north side of the square, and the performances will be near the Jubilee statue.
For more information and last minute updates (especially date changes due to inclement weather) visit: fitzroysquaresummer.blogspot.co.uk