A PACKED line-up of homegrown talent is expected to delight audiences at Ealing Music and Film Valentine Festival.
Performances, lectures, exhibitions and tours are on offer to visitors during the four-day festival which begins on February 14, Valentine’s Day.
Artistic director Tony Palmer, said: "We have the oldest film studios in the world while The Rolling Stones first played in Ealing, although people aren’t aware of that. We want to make sure this heritage is celebrated and show people this is a great place to live. The programme is a rich mix and we want everyone to be involved."
Film highlights include a tour of a Downton Abbey set and a demonstration of motion capture technology by actor Andy Serkis who played Gollum in The Lord of the Rings.
Ealing Studios were involved in both productions
Jan Harlan, one of Stanley Kubrick’s producers, will give a talk on the director’s use of music in film, actress Sylvia Syms will give an account of her time working at Ealing Studios and Mark Duguid, the British Film Institute’s chief archivist, will speak about the history of the studios which are even older than Hollywood.
Fans of rock ‘n’ roll and classical music will have plenty to enjoy throughout the festival. Gigs will be held at the Ealing Club and writer Harry Shapiro, along with rock historian Roger Dopson, will be talking about the history of the venue which launched so many famous acts.
Jazz and Blues players will be jamming with world music musicians, including sitar player Mehboob Nadeem, at the Questors Theatre and Twyford C of E High School’s talented students are also expected to impress with their gospel choir and jazz orchestra.
The world-renowned English Chamber Orchestra, which is based in the borough, will be playing at St Barnabas Church. And Ealing Symphony Orchestra, will perform in Ealing Town Hall.
As well as the talks, exhibitions will be held at the University of West London. They include the impact of Hanwell business, Marshall Amps, on the music industry and rock ‘n’ roll portraits by acclaimed photographer and borough resident Clive Barda who will also be speaking about his work.
Visit www.ealingmusicandfilmfestival.org to find out more.
