Events
Grand Union's priority is live performance, and over the last 25 years we have toured all over the UK and to many parts of the world.
Upcoming shows
Returning after an extended winter break, the Grand Union Orchestra’s first major project is What the River Sings, a special event for the BBC's 2012 celebration Music Nation.
What the River Sings – Grand Union Orchestra and Youth Orchestra with Water City Festival Orchestra, Hackney Voices, Hackney Empire Community Choir
Sunday March 4th, 4.00pm
Trinity Buoy Wharf, Orchard Place, London London E14 0JY
Tickets £10, £5 concessions (on general sale from February 12th 2012)
Spectacular show featuring East London performers celebrating 500 years of trade and migration in a historic location.
Autumn highlights
Our autumn schedule was built around two high-profile shows by the Grand Union Orchestra and the release of a new CD of If Paradise. Some very enthusiastic reviews have been appearing – for If Paradise at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, 11.11.11 at the Hackney Empire and for the CD. They were complemented by two events featuring the Grand Union Youth Orchestra – a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street and the début of Grand Union: The Second Generation – and a brand new project at the Vortex. These projects are still in the repertoire, and new shows will be announced over the next few months.
If Paradise - Grand Union Orchestra
Sunday 25th September, 7.30pm
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX
Tickets £20, £15, £10 - buy tickets online or call 0844 875 0073
Revival of classic Grand Union Orchestra show, launching a new CD. Reviews of the original tour from the Guardian and All About Jazz. Listen to tracks from the show The Perfumes of Paradise Blues and Collateral Damage, and view video excerpts.
Grand Union Youth Orchestra
Sunday 2nd October, 1.00pm
Wilton’s Music Hall, Grace’s Alley, London E1 8JB
www.battleofcablestreet.org.uk | 020 7375 0441
Commemorating the 75th anniversary of this historic East London event.
11.11.11 – Grand Union Orchestra and guests
Friday 11th November, 7.30pm
Hackney Empire Theatre, 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ
www.hackneyempire.co.uk | 020 8985 2424
The music of the liberated and the most liberated of musics – celebrating jazz and the art of improvisation on Armistice Day.
Grand Union Orchestra
Friday 2nd December, 8:30pm
Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillett Square, London N16 8AZ
www.vortexjazz.co.uk | 020 7254 4097
Tickets £12
Launching a brand new project bringing together improvising musicians from many different traditions world-wide.
Human Rights in Migration: Differing Perspectives
Thursday 8th December, 6:00pm
Oxford House, Bethnal Green
Grand Union Orchestra are pleased to have been invited Praxis to perform at their upcoming event "Human Rights in Migration: Differing Perspectives".
Grand Union Second Generation Band
Sunday 11th December, 7.30pm
Rich Mix Centre, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
www.richmix.org.uk | 020 7613 7498
Senior members of the Grand Union Youth Orchestra make their début in a new band, creating a new wave of cross-cultural music-making.
Current shows
If Paradise
The Golden Road, The Unforgiving Sea
The Rhythm of Tides
Grand Union Bangla Band
Golden Highway
On Liberation Street
Grand Union Orchestra AllStars
Can't Chain Up Me Mind
Bengal Tiger, Shanghai Dragon
Bhangra, Babylon and the Blues
For full details of our available shows, the latest line-up of the Grand Union Orchestra and our current Learning and Participation programme, go to press and bookings.
