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| Pasadena Roof Orchestra at Green Room in 2023 |
At a time when arts funding is at a perilous low, it is heartening to see a new venture thriving. Green Room launched last year, it is a music festival based at the Tithe Barn in Lenham, Kent, a remarkable historic structure dating back to the 14th century. Entirely self-funded, after a successful inaugural season last year, Green Room is back for 2024 with three days of concerts from 30 August to 1 September.
This year’s festival features an eclectic line-up of performers from West End and jazz to the new Barbican Sinfonia. The centrepiece of the festival is a concert from the Barbican Sinfonia and conductor Jack Gonzalez-Harding in a programme of music by Elgar, Schubert and Beethoven, plus Martinu’s Divertimento for piano left hand with pianist Nicholas McCarthy. Still in a classical vein, on Saturday morning there will be a family show from Bach to Baby.
Lance Ellington, best known for being the vocalist on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, is bringing his seven piece band open the festival with songs by some of the world’s legends such as Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Duke & Ray Ellington and Nat King Cole. And on Sunday, there is a chance to brunch with food critic and jazz pianist Jay Rayner and his sextet. The festival closes with an evening of songs from the shows, directed by Steve Ridley with Michael D Xavier and Emma Williams. And outside the barn, there will be a Classic Car Meet.
Full details from Green Room’s website.
