Paradise Gardens in Victoria Park

Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May 2006

1PM–10PM FREE!

See Victoria Park magically transformed into a modern day Pleasure Garden for a weekend packed full of events and entertainment in the heart of the east end.

During Queen Victoria’s reign, the park named after her in London E3 was packed with delights and follies all designed to attract and excite local people.

In May, the park will once again explode into life and recreate the giddy atmosphere of the original Victorian Pleasure Garden but this time with a funky 21st century twist…

Designer Village Fete
Carters Steam Fair
Slide Shows
Circus Performances
Fantasitc Lanterns
Street Theatre
Secret Gardens
A Fire Concert
Spectacular Fireworks

Full details at Paradise Gardens website and download the leafet, see right.

The Concert of Fire (le Concert de Feu)

Each day will end spectacularly with an amazing free fire and musical event from French pyrotechnicians Les Commandos Percu. Combining explosive percussion with amazing fireworks, this is truly an event not to be missed.

Ghost Pagoda and Lantern Water Lillies

Local light sculptors Lumina evoke the memory of the park’s lost Pagoda by creating an amazing light sculpture – as it is lit up after sunset, a host of beautiful water lily lanterns will be launched onto the lake.

Designer Village Fete and Creative Play Area

Curated by the East London Design Show, this is a village fete with an East End twist. It’s interactive, so come and do a bit of designer knitting, ice a cake, plant some seeds and buy from some of the countries top designers – all local of course! Plus, there’s an amazing designer kids play area with storytelling, painting and all things creative.

Sping by Metro Boulot Dodo

Go through the gates of Polly Postlewaite’s bizarre garden and you are hit by an overwhelming variety of colours, sounds, sights and smells.

Music

Pop into the Paradise Bar and join a fantastic mix of musicians and DJs range include soukas from Kasia, jazz funk from Sizenine, flamenco from Laxula, reggae Latin-funk from Bellegios, folk singer Alice McLaughlin, Chinese ambient from Chi 2, Asian drumming from Taala and Raj Party Band Ludomix.

The Incredible Bull Circus

Internationally renowned street theatre company 3 Monkey, present ‘The Incredible BullCircus’. Sons of a famous bullfighting father and a daredevil trapeze artist mother, two marvellous matadors ‘The Brothers Juan’ display unparalleled deeds of daring performed by an awesome herd of highly trained ‘Bulls’, including headlong leaps through rings of fire, escapology from iron chains whilst suspended above a tank of bloodthirsty piranhas and the worlds only Cannon Bull.

Desperate Men – The Miracle Show

Come and witness a miracle in the park! In this show, an eccentric family arrives, presenting their ramshackle road show from the back of their van. They have a statue of the Madonna who, with enough Encouragement, will perform an astounding miracle in front of an audience!

The Black Maze

A maze in the dark, full of twisting corridors. The Black Maze is a 5-minute, solo adventure – a modern twist on a Victorian fairground attraction. Your feet may feel unsteady but you must keep going……totally thrilling! Dare you enter…? Created by theatre company Stan’s Café.

Carnival!

Shake your maracas and join the East London Carnival Consortium procession as over 200 local carnival revelers weave their magic throughout the park.

Running Away

Bassline Circus’ show – Running Away – is a hip-hop circus show in a Big Top, packed with breakdancers, illusions, disappearing b-boys and video bombing. The ringmaster/rapper, ‘Unknown MC’, takes centre-stage as aerialists fly through the air. Inside the tent you will find giant, spinning technics decks as the Big Top jumps to the sound of The Chump DJ’s.

Plus

Urban dance and spoken word events, films from the East London Film Festival, food and drink and the ever popular and totally authentic Carter’s Steam Fair. Watch out too for amazing street theatre, sideshows and surprising characters …look out for some huge silver dinosaurs and a 12-foot high dragon! BBC London 94.9fm is ‘On the Road’ this Summer, with stars such Vanessa Feltz, Danny Baker and Jono Coleman broadcasting live from events across London, including Paradise Gardens in Victoria Park. Come along and have your say and you could win the chance to become a sports reporter for the BBC.

Paradise Gardens is mostly free but there may be a small entry charge for some of the sideshows.

Travel

Victoria Park, Grove Road, London E3

Tube:

Mile End

Rail:

Cambridge Heath andHackney Wick Station

Buses:

277, D6, 30 Visit the Transport for London website for route planners, timetables and journey information: www.tfl.gov.uk

Parking:

Victoria Park is in a controlled zone and parking is limited. We advise you to leave your car at home.

Paradise Gardens is produced by Fusion East

Fusion East is a major arts and cultural entertainment programme presenting events in East London. Funded by Arts Council England and the Millennium Commission, the project represents one of the largest cultural festivals in east London bringing together and highlighting the very best arts and cultural activities, events and traditions.

Page updated: 28 Feb 2007