27/10/2008

: Culture 8 came to Wembley

Wembley showed off it's Olympic heritage with Culture 8
West London showed off the best of the West in Wembley on Sunday 28 September, with a fantastic dance, music and entertainment extravaganza to celebrate the 1908 and 1948 Games and officially welcome the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the UK's Cultural Olympiad.

Over 400 performers from across West London took part in Culture 8 - a stunning showcase of non-stop global music, dance, sports, circus and street entertainment, which kicked off the UK's Cultural Olympiad.  The event was hosted by Brent with funding from the London Development Agency and organised by the West London 2012 Partnership (including Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster).

The spectacular show inside Wembley Arena was headlined by legendary singer Jazzie B (Soul II Soul). From hip hop, bollywood and flamenco to ballet and carnival dance, young people from West London's diverse communities rocked Wembley.  And,  showcasing the best music from the West, the best performers took to Wembley Arena's stage including: human beatboxer Shlomo and the One Voice choir,  Adelaide Mackenzie, Nathan Flutebox Lee and Aruba Red.

Gareth Daniel, Chief Executive of Brent Council and Chair of the West London 2012 Partnership welcomes the Cultural Olympiad to West London: "West London has a rich and outstanding heritage of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and whilst East London will play a major role in delivering the London 2012 Games, we in West London also have in invaluable opportunity to work together across West London to open up culture and the arts to everyone."

"West London is host to a very diverse community and we are determined that our communities will benefit equally with East London from the London 2012 Games. Culture 8 gave everyone, especially our young people, the opportunity to try something new, do something completely different, show off their talents and be part of the exciting opportunities that the next four years will bring."

Culture 8 was funded by The London Development Agency and hosted and organised by Brent Council on behalf of the West London 2012 Partnership and has been granted the London 2012 Inspire mark as part of the launch of the Cultural Olympiad. The Inspire Mark is awarded in recognition of efforts to develop a significant new event to engage our local communities with the Games, in particular developing the synergy between sport and culture.