On Friday 23 June, Plaistow South Big Local and Culture Within Newham are partnering up with Paraorchestra to bring a free, family-friendly music parade to the streets of Plaistow on Friday June 23rd

By Newham Voices

Billed as “a raucous, technicolour pop-parade-come-street-party,” SMOOSH! will see a core of professional musicians and a troupe of dancers perform a track list of songs by artists such as Fatboy Slim, Kate Bush, Basement Jaxx, and Adele.

Local artists, community groups, and music schools will join Paraorchestra to bring this high-energy spectacle right to the doorsteps of Plaistow. SMOOSH! is the creation of Bristol-based Paraorchestra, an ensemble made up of professional disabled and non-disabled musicians who specialise in presenting exciting new forms of orchestral music in surprising and unexpected places.

There will be two parades throughout the afternoon of Friday 23 June, the first departing from outside New City Primary School at 3:30pm and the second from May Road cul-de-sac, outside Scott House and Willet House on Jeyes Estate at 5:30pm.

Both parades are completely free, accessible, and perfect for all ages. There’s no need to book – just turn up and sing and dance along.

Denny Cornaud, of Culture Within Newham and Plaistow South Big Local said: “What an absolute gift this is to our community! We hope to see the streets full of people having fun and celebrating with us! With thanks to the performers and team that is SMOOSH!

Hannah Williams Walton, Paraorchestra Programme Director said: “We are thrilled to bring SMOOSH! to Newham. We have been welcomed so warmly by the incredible teams at Plaistow South Big Local and Culture Within Newham. It’s going to be a very special event and we hope that all of Newham will join us out on the streets for a joyful celebration.”

Find out more: www.paraorchestra.com/smoosh

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