Revellers wanting a taste of the coronation festivities before the big day are invited to The Blue Market for a right-royal knees-up this weekend.
On Saturday, April 29, exactly a week before King Charles III’s coronation, the Bermondsey market square will host ‘Let’s Make Music & Dance’.
There will be a trombone quartet, salsa dancing, an acapella choir and a ‘make your own crown’ arts and crafts workshop.
Families will also be able to decorate The Blue in preparation for the coronation.
The free event is being organised and funded by the Blue Bermondsey Business Improvement District and the Unity Music Arts Team.
Bermondsey and its environs have a long-running connection with official royal proceedings. On April 7, 1955, less than three years into her 70-year reign, the Queen attended the Royal Maundy Service at Southwark Cathedral.
Then, in 1977, Queen Elizabeth II came to Rotherhithe in 1977 to mark her Silver Jubilee – 25 years on the throne.
She met the borough mayor, watched a local history pageant and unveiled the memorial stone on June 9, 1977.
The Queen and her husband Prince Philip arrived by boat and were piped ashore by Southwark sea cadets.
Last year, the world’s cameras were trained on Southwark Park when thousands of mourners queued to see the Queen lying in state.
King Charles III is not expected to travel through Southwark during the coronation proceedings this year.
The full programme for ‘Let’s Make Music & Dance’ is as follows:
12.30pm: Stephen Pierre’s Crooner Sounds
12.45pm: Sala Oracle Sala Dancing
13.00pm: Brand Band Quartet
14.00pm: Kitch ‘n’ Sync Vocal Choir
14.30pm: Salsa Oracle Dancing
15.00pm: Brass Band Quartet
15.15pm: Stephen Pierre’s Crooner Sounds
15.30pm – 16.00pm: Salsa Oracle Dancing
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