Parker’s Piece extravaganza The Big Weekend returns from 10 to 12 July, bringing with it great live music, a fun family day and a colourful mela.
Head down on Friday night from 6pm and catch glam rockers Slade, who’ll be performing their greatest hits like Cum On Feel The Noize and Coz I Luv You. They’ll be joined by vocal powerhouse Heather Small with her band, who’ll get the crowd grooving with her feel-good tracks like Moving On Up, One Night In Heaven, Search for the Hero, and of course, Proud. There will also be DJs and a huge fireworks display (starts 10pm), plus fairground rides and food stalls, and as with all the Big Weekend events, entry is free. It runs until 10.30pm.
It’s all go on Saturday from 12pm, with acts including Cambridgeshire’s urban dance crew Bling Ya Ting and Isobel Sugden (winner of the Cambridge Band Competition in the under-18s category), performing on the main stage, alongside The Silverback Blues Band, Hayseed Dixie and Swamptruck. Elsewhere you can get stuck in at the Make and Create tent, hosted by University of Cambridge Museums, where there’ll be hands-on, creative fun and a chance to get a taste of what’s in store for the summer holidays at the city’s museums.
There’s also a ping-pong disco (intriguing!), plus cabaret, comedy, and a food hall and French market when you’re in need of some refreshment. City arts collective Changing Spaces will be popping up with an art gallery to explore, whilst the Fun Lab will be offering interactive science activities for all ages to enjoy.
Sunday 12 July is International Day and Cambridge Mela, which will see Parker’s Piece transformed into a vibrant celebration of our city’s multiculturalism. See Polish, Greek and Scottish dancing in the dance marquee, and enjoy crafts, music and edible treats from across the globe in the Ubuntu world village. The Cambridge Mela, which runs from midday until 8pm, has become one of the city’s most popular summer events, and as always will feature arts, fashion and food, as well as workshops and performances from many local community groups.
Get yourself down to the main stage to see Aurora & Friends, Heidi Joubert Trio, Yiddish Twist Orchestra, The Fontanas and Sanskruti School of Dance.
