Events

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

An array of some of the finest and best known singers working today, ranging from musical theatre to jazz, and pop to cabaret, perform specially created sets making reference to the music of Harold Arlen, and in particular The Wizard of Oz.

David McAlmont Sings...
Fri 25 July & Sat 26 July

To celebrate the music of Harold Arlen, composer of The Wizard of Oz, the Southbank Centre launches a summer season of the very finest singers around with two specially created and intimate shows from the brilliant David McAlmont. Long-time creative partner of Bernard Butler, McAlmont’s career has spanned the worlds of pop, soul and jazz, collaborating with the likes of Craig Armstrong, Jools Holland, Terence Blanchard and Courtney Pine. A vocal legend and national treasure, McAlmont is one of the most distinctive singers of his generation.

The Clore Ballroom, 6pm Admission free

Ian Shaw Sings
Fri 1 & Sat 2 Aug

Twice winner of the BBC Jazz Awards for Best Male Vocalist, Ian Shaw is “an artist on top of his game” (Jazzwise), and has been described by Time Out as “the best jazz vocalist we have”. Across ten album releases and an international performing career, Shaw’s songbook knows no boundaries. And for this performance, the songs of Harold Arlen – composer of Wizard of Oz – are sure to feature. Following his 2006 release of Joni Mitchell interpretations, his new album ‘Lifejacket’ – released this year – is a set of entirely original compositions.

The Clore Ballroom, 6pm

Brenda Edwards Sings
Fri 8 & Sat 9 Aug

Brenda has had a phenomenal time since being catapulted into to the public profile as a result of being the final woman in X Factor 2005. The ultimate acceptance by the public came in October last year when Edwards was presented the Screen Nation award for “Favourite Reality TV Star”, a people’s choice award. She was snapped up to play the role of Mama Morton in the London production of ‘Chicago’, receiving great acclaim for her portrayal of the prison warden, a role she played for a year and then more recently returned to for the 10th Anniversary Gala and Christmas season. As well as numerous TV appearances, Edwards performed as part of “In Celebration Of My Sisters” at the Brixton Academy and made a special guest appearance at the Cardiff Millennium Stadium in front of 40,000 people, supported Smokey Robinson in concert at Rochester Castle, performed as guest vocalist with The Motown Show performing throughout the UK, and did 3 live shows in New York, one of which was with soul legends Ashford & Simpson. She has just recorded a concert as special guest vocalist for BBC Radio 2 with the BBC Concert Orchestra which will be broadcast in July.

Last Summer Brenda created the role of Pear Pastor in Carmen Jones at the newly renovated Royal Festival Hall receiving critical acclaim for her performance. Southbank Centre is delighted to welcome back a unique and charismatic singing star this summer to perform up close and intimate, taking inspiration from The Wizard of Oz.

The Clore Ballroom, 6pm

Barb Jungr Sings
Fri 15 & Sat 16 Aug

Critics have compared singer Barb Jungr to Nina Simone and Peggy Lee, called her "a British Edith Piaf" and "one of the best interpreters of Jacques Brel and Bob Dylan anywhere on this angst ridden planet today" (Village Voice, New York). Her unique vocal style and interpretation of song repertoire, spanning the worlds of jazz, northern soul and opera, have secured her an international reputation, and Jungr will be performing as part of Southbank Centre’s International Voices season in February 2009. Jungr will be accompanied by Jenny Carr on piano and will draw on her six acclaimed Linn Records releases for this special programme, as well as tipping a hat to the Wizard of Oz repertoire.

The Clore Ballroom, 6pm

Joe Stilgoe
Fri 22 & Sat 23 Aug

About to release his debut album on the Candid label, 28-year old Joe Stilgoe is one of the country’s rising vocal talents. The album will feature his beautiful and distinctive version of ‘If I Only Had A Brain’, from The Wizard of Oz. His style, although unique, is reminiscent of the great pianist/singers like Buddy Greco, Mel Torme, Nat King Cole and Harry Connick Jr. Son of TV personality and West End lyricist Richard Stilgoe and opera singer Annabel Hunt, Stilgoe was brought up surrounded by music, and is fast carving out a name in his own right.

"Great young talent" - John Dankworth

The Clore Ballroom, 6pm

LAKA D AND GUESTS
Fri 29 & Sat 30 Aug

Singer, composer, and choral director, Laka D first came to prominence as part of the all-female jazz group The Guest Stars. Over the years she has worked with many groups including Slav to the Rhythm, 6 voices and a double bass with Ian Shaw and Carol Grimes, and The Hookline, a ‘Women Take Centre Stage’ and Camden Festival commission featuring 12 singers and musicians. She was lead singer with all-women 60’s band Emma Peel Fan Club, and currently can be seen and heard out with The Electric Landladies. As well as performing Laka directs and writes music for choirs, and has headed up some extraordinary recent and large-scale projects at Southbank Centre, involving thousands of singers.

She will be joined by long time collaborators Deirdre Cartwright (guitar) and Alison Rayner (bass), along with two other exciting singers – Jumoke Fashiola and Tracy Kashi – graduates of Southbank Centre’s Voicelab Pulse.

The Clore Ballroom, 6pm

DOROTHY NIGHTS

Step off the yellow brick road into the wilder side of cabaret, celebrating the kitsch, iconic brilliance of The Wizard of Oz. With different hosts every week, Friday night becomes Dorothy Night on the South Bank.

Rupert Smith presents
Fri 25 July

Step off the yellow brick road and into the wilder side of cabaret, with the first of six late-night shows happening every Friday. Each show is distinctly programmed and celebrates the kitsch, iconic brilliance of The Wizard of Oz. The first Dorothy Night is hosted by writer, broadcaster, presenter and Chubby Glamourpuss Amy Lame, and also features David McAlmont, Jonny Woo, Lorraine Bowen and Bearlesque.

The Clore Ballroom, 10pm Admission free

Royal Vauxhall Tavern present
David Hoyle and Nathan Evans.
Fri 1 Aug

Two stars of South London alternative performance powerhouse, The Royal Vauxhall Tavern in collaboration for the first time present We’re not in Kansas Anymore. David Hoyle (The Divine David on Ice and Magazine) and Nathan Evans (Punch and Jude, The Significant Death of Quentin Crisp) will for one night only explore and explode The Wizard of Oz in their own imitable style, prepare to be shocked!