One of the world’s most unique, classical music crossover acts will be joining a host of fairytale characters at a spectacular North East event next month.
Silken Strings, the electric string trio whose members have entertained royalty in Monte Carlo, Tokyo and at Buckingham Palace, will be appearing at the South Tyneside Festival Summer Parade on Saturday July 4.
The Alice-in-Wonderland themed event, organised by South Tyneside Council, will see a host of costumed characters, including the White Rabbit, Alice and the Cheshire Cat, taking to the streets of South Shields to mark the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale.
Silken Strings, who were one of the headline performers at the recent Lennon Peace Concert in Bermuda, will perform their unique blend of classic and modern music aboard one of the parade’s specially decorated floats, which will set off from the Town Hall to the seafront at 1pm.
The glamorous, classically trained trio, who have featured on numerous TV shows, will also be joined in creating a live soundtrack for the event by The Military Marching Band and vocalist Jayne McKenzie, who’ll be portraying the Queen of Hearts as a disco diva and performing a host of Kylie tracks in Bents Park.
Paul Shriek, Artistic Director for the South Tyneside Festival Summer Parade, said: “Silken Strings are one of the most amazing acts of the past few years. Their unique blend of classic music, pop hits and electrifying dance moves will not only wow the crowds watching this year’s Summer Parade, but will really help to energise it’s 2000 plus participants too.”
The Summer Parade, sponsored by Careline Lifestyles, forms part of a three month programme of free events making up the South Tyneside Festival 2015.
Other highlights in the annual event, which runs until the end of August, include Sunday concerts headlined by Atomic Kitten and 5ive (July 12), Billy Ocean (July 19), Sophie Ellis Bextor and The Feeling (July 26) and North East stars Joe McElderry, Collabro and Lola Saunders (Aug 2).
There will also be brass band performances every Sunday afternoon throughout June, July and August, Kids Fun Fest children parties on Tuesdays and Thursday from July 18 to August 20 and Harton Quays Park Craft Markets on the firstSunday of the month until September. All of these events are free to attend.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “The Summer Parade will be one of the key events in this year’s Summer Festival and we are expecting thousands of visitors to line the route from the Town Hall to the seafront.
“We are delighted that Silken Strings are joining The Military Marching Band and Jayne McKenzie to provide a soundtrack for the event and I look forward to seeing them all playing live on the streets of South Shields.”
For more information and full listings for the South Tyneside Festival 2015 go to www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk search for South Tyneside Events on Facebook, follow STynesideEvents on Twitter or call the South Tyneside Visitor Information Centre on 0191 424 7788.
Further details about Silken Strings can also be found online at www.silkenstrings.com