Open East Festival

A year? Already? Granted 2013 has had its highs – we had some sun, a woman had a baby, a huge cock appeared in Trafalgar Square… but it was always going to be a push to reach the heady heights of the Olympic year. But as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park reopens, it looks like we have another reason to celebrate like it is London 2012 all over again.

Celebrating the first anniversary of the London 2012 Games, the Barbican, Create London and the London Legacy Development Corporation have come together to produce a weekend of music, theatre, food, entertainment and activity for all ages at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Open East Festival this weekend (Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July).

Showcasing the best in world music, the Barbican Music Stage will present a range of international acts including veteran ’80s rockers The Waterboys, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 and a Malian supergroup featuring Amadou and Mariam, Vieux Farka Toure and Fatoumata Diawara – to name but a few. Add this to a host of live musical performances covering all bases from Big Band, folk to a good ole East End sing-a-long and they weren’t kidding when they said Open East Festival has something for everyone.

With a dedicated kids zone in the Family Hub, young ones will be enchanted by imaginative storytelling and playtime with travelling art circus, The House of Fairytales while Discover Children’s Story Centre will host storybuilding and origami workshops and Charlie Dark presents puppetry as you’ve never seen before, namely with hip hop and poetry. Joey, from National Theatre’s War Horse will also be unleashed around the Park throughout the weekend – as will Graeae’s Iron Man. We wonder who would win in that face off…

Nostalgic for the epic Olympic Opening Ceremony? Keep an ear out for the Pandemonium Drummers who will be performing and don’t miss the Xtreme Action BMX Riders, cut from the Opening Ceremony but now given their rightful platform back at the Olympic Park throughout the weekend on the North Bridge.

Keeping it local, enjoy the Ten Mile Beer Festival (not 10 miles of beer, we checked) as breweries from within a 10-mile radius of the Olympic Park quench the thirsts of visitors in the expansive food and drink offerings. Sample the taste delights of some of London’s best street food sellers at the Real Food Festival or join a communal feast on a bridge over the River Lea in Buccaneer’s Banquet on the Bridge, complete with a makeshift fishing village and seaside activities including a photobooth.

Honouring the artistic minds that populate East London, the Art Car Boot Fair pull in letting you grab a bargain from the likes of Pure Evil, Pam Hogg, Bob & Roberta Smith and a car park load of other cutting edge artists selling their wares from their boots. And if you’re still up for more rummaging, discover the best in UK made, sustainable, up-cycled and vintage design in the Urban Bazaar. Head to the river for everyone’s favourite sea faring venue, the Floating Cinema and an inspiring programme of talks, performances and DJs from Caught by the River. And don’t miss the chance to jump on an ancient monument as Jeremy Deller’s inflatable Stonehenge, Sacrilege, arrives in East London!

And if you’re still standing, stick around for a spectacular finale from Bompas & Parr that will close each day of the festival.

Spoilt for choice, excitement and community spirit, Open East Festival looks set to be a worthy anniversary gift from London 2012.

Tickets for Open East Festival can be purchased online through Ticketmaster UK.

Open East Festival takes place Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July at:

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Stratford
E20 2ST