Tango dancing, live music, Chinese Mandarin dancing,
plus fun sport activities are among the free entertainment
opportunities to be enjoyed at an event to mark the
Olympic handover on Sunday, 24 August
The day marks the official handover of Olympic host city status
from Beijing to London. Bath & North East Somerset Council will
be joining other councils across the country in marking this
special occasion.
Everyone is welcome to attend the celebrations which celebrate
local music and dance, and start from 2pm, in Bath city centre.
Councillor David Bellotti, Chair of Bath & North East
Somerset Council, said: “We are delighted to mark the countdown to
the Olympics here in Bath, and invite local residents to come along
and be part of the celebrations.”
There will be music, dance, plus entertainment outdoors and in
the Guildhall.
- The Council’s Sport and Active Leisure team will be promoting
the sporting theme by encouraging people to “Get Active” and
sign-up for fitness and healthy living schemes. They will be in the
Brunswick Room of the Guildhall, High Street, Bath, from 2pm to
4pm. Free
- Tango Argentino, a performance by Jocelyne and Nico and the
Dancers of the Tango de la Rosa School of Dance will take place in
the Banquetting Room, from 2pm to 2.20pm. Free
- West country-based singer/songwriter Diana Johnstone will be
next to take the stage from 2.30pm to 2.50pm. She will be followed
by Fun Chinese Madarin Dance performing festive dances.
Free
- William Cashel, a classical guitarist, will be on from 3.30pm
to 3.50pm. Both free
- At 4.10pm, there will be a Civic Ceremony on the front steps of
the Guildhall, with some special guests including the new
“Olympig”, followed by the raising of the Olympic flag. At 4.30pm
the Council invites everyone to join in with “Two Minutes of Noise”
when the abbey bells will ring out along with music from the
Rainbow Steel Band. Free
- Bath Abbey and Abbey Churchyard will be the venues for the next
part of the celebrations. From 3.30pm to 4.15pm, choral evensong
will be performed by the Royal School of Church Music, with music
by Vaughan Williams and Hyden. Free
- Two minutes of noise with bells ringing out from local churches
and music provided by the Rainbow Steel Band follows at 4.30pm. The
band will play until 5pm. Free
- Events will also be taking place in Parade Gardens- where the
Bluemoon quartet will bring jazz classics to life from 3pm
(entrance free to Bath and North East Somerset residents, children
under five and unemployed/ £1.00 Non-Resident adult).
- A continental market will be open in Queen’s Square (Friday, 22
to Monday 25 August Free; and the Royal United Hospital will host
two art exhibitions- Carnival of Dreams by the acclaimed artist
Edwina Bridgeman; and the Bath Primary Schools Bi-Annual Arts
Festival which includes work create by local primary school
children. Free
- The Council-run Fashion Museum, in the Assembly Rooms, will
have a display of swimwear, featuring outfits from the 1900s to the
mid 20th century.
- Visitors will be able to see the Great Bath at the Council-run
Roman Baths illuminated by torchlight at the late-night opening
until 10pm (last admission 9pm). Free admission to Discovery Card
holders, non-resident adults £11/ Senior Citizens £9.00/ children
£6.80
- An exhibition of Precious Adornments: Nomadic Ornaments from
Tibet and the Ordos is featured at the Museum of East Asian Art.
Adult £4/ Children and students £3/ B&NES Discovery Card
holders £1.00 off admission
The day comes to a close with a performance by young people’s
theatre company Storm on the Lawn present the play Metropolis, from
8pm to 10pm at the Ball Court, Prior Park College. £12.50/ £7.50
£36 family ticket.
