City Will Be Bursting With The Arts

James Drury
By James Drury Last edited 105 months ago
City Will Be Bursting With The Arts

The Street Guitars initiative sees guitars placed all over the City, for people to play.

The City of London's geographically diminutive area will be crammed with music, comedy, cabaret, performance, film and more for three weeks.

Hear jazz on the top floor of the city's skyscrapers, watch classical music in the historic churches, see performances in the green spaces and squares — there's over 164 events on offer at the City of London Festival.

Highlights of the programme include two symphonic concerts in St Paul’s Cathedral, as London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus performs Haydn’s The Creation (24 June), and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment gives an authentic performance of Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 (2 July).

There's also the chance to explore Barbican on a guided walk, a rare chance to visit the art collection at Deutsche Bank — one of the largest and most significant corporate art collections in the world, plus a series of talks on the themes of Money, Justice, Power.

If all the creativity has got you inspired, the Street Guitars scheme returns this year, placing guitars in upturned boats all over the City, for people to play. Whether this is a good thing or not will depend on the person playing.

Unfortunately, the novel and striking-looking inflatable Bowler Hat stage has been cancelled this year due to 'unforeseen circumstances'.

The City of London Festival runs from 22 June-10 July. Many events are free, some are ticketed, see the website for full details and the programme.

Last Updated 03 June 2015