Bands in the Park joins London 2012 Festival for season finale

Abington Park will play host to a packed programme of live music every Sunday this Summer culminating in a grand finale that will see Northampton join the rest of the nation in the Bandstand Marathon - part of the London 2012 Festival and the Cultural Olympiad.

The Bandstand Marathon will mark the close of the national London 2012 cultural event and will also mark the end of Northampton Borough Council's popular Bands in the Park season.

This year's season is the longest the park has hosted for 10 years with bands booked to perform at the much-loved bandstand every week from 6 May to 9 September.

Bands in the Park will have something for everyone. As well as traditional brass and wind instrument bands, this year also sees the return of Folk in the Park, an afternoon of music from Northampton's best covers' band, music to accompany the runners during the "Race for Life" event, and, of course, the Bandstand Marathon finale featuring music, community singing and an instrument amnesty.

The bands are free to watch and perform every Sunday in the Abington Park Bandstand from 2 to 5pm (some events are longer - please check programme for exact timings).

Councillor Brandon Eldred, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for community engagement said: "Once again Northampton Borough Council's events team has worked hard to put together a great line up of music in Abington Park with something for everyone.

"It's a great way to while away a Sunday afternoon in a beautiful park setting and this year will see a show-stopping finale as we join the rest of the country in the Bandstand Marathon to close the cultural event celebrating London 2012 - the Cultural Olympiad."

BANDS IN THE PARK – Abington Park 2012 Summer Season includes:

• Sunday 6th May - Daventry Brass Band – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
• Sunday 13th May - Gretton Silver Band – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
• Sunday 20th May - Rushden Windmill Band – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
• Sunday 27th May - Pentecost in the Park – Abington Park Bandstand, 12noon-6pm
  Family celebration of the Christian feast of Pentecost, with live music, fun activities for children, stalls, and a service of worship.
• Sunday 3rd June – Northampton Concert Band – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
  A special jubilee themed free concert at the bandstand from one of Northampton’s premier bands at the bandstand. Plus Rose and Castle Morris Dancers outside the museum.
• Sunday 10th June – Towcester Studio Band – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
• Sunday 17th June – "The Race for Life” music for the racers! – Abington Park Bandstand, time to be confirmed
  The Charity Race for Life takes place in Abington Park. Musicians entertain the runners and walkers on the bandstand, including Sara Spade & Hannah Faulkner. More acts to be announced.
• Sunday 24th June – District of Dunchurch Brass Band – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
• Sunday 1st July – The Kibworth Band – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
• Sunday 8th July – Interfaith Family Day – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
  Fun day at the bandstand from the town's interfaith groups – including music, dance, face painting, henna, cultural snacks, and games.
• Sunday 15th July – Abington Wind Band – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
• Sunday 22nd July – MK Brass – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
• Sunday 29th July – Corby Silver Band – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
• Sunday 5th August – Moulton 77 Brass Band – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
• Sunday 12th August – Folk in the Park!  With The Great Knight Folk Club – Abington Park Bandstand, 1-7pm
  A day of folk music brought to the park by Northampton’s Great Knight Folk Club. Lay back and enjoy a day of music and song.  Bring a picnic, and make this mini-festival a destination for a fabulous Sunday.
• Sunday 19th August – Similar Jones – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
  One of Northampton’s best covers' band – always a favourite in the park. Music from the 50s up to the present day.
• Sunday 26th August – The Vic present the Lazy Bank Holiday Sunday! – Abington Park Bandstand, 1-7pm
  The guys from The Victoria Inn go on tour to the bandstand. With a reputation for providing great live music, "The Vic” will make your bank holiday for you.  Bring the whole family, bring a picnic, lay back and enjoy the day.
• Sunday 2nd September – Watford Brass Band – Abington Park Bandstand, 2-5pm
• Sunday 9th September – The Bandstand Marathon – Abington Park Bandstand, 1-5pm
  The finale of the Bands in the Park Season.  Northampton hosts one of the national "marathons” to end a brilliant season of live music on the bandstand. Featuring community singing and an instrument amnesty.

Notes for editors

The Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival

The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Spread over four years, it is designed to give everyone in the UK a chance to be part of London 2012 and inspire creativity across all forms of culture, especially among young people.

Since the Cultural Olympiad started in 2008 11.2million people from across the UK have participated in or attended over 5,400 public performances as part of the Cultural Olympiad and programmes inspired by 2012 and funded by our principle funders and sponsors. Over 67,000 people have attended 6,800 workshops as part of Cultural Olympiad programmes.

The culmination of the Cultural Olympiad will be the London 2012 Festival, bringing leading artists from all over the world together from 21 June 2012 in this UK-wide festival – a chance for everyone to celebrate London 2012 through dance, music, theatre, the visual arts, film and digital innovation and leave a lasting legacy for the arts in this country.

Principal funders of the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival are Arts Council England, Legacy Trust UK and the Olympic Lottery Distributor.

BP and BT are Premier Partners of the Cultural Olympiad and the London 2012 Festival.

The British Council will support the international development of London 2012 Cultural Olympiad projects. Panasonic are the presenting partner of Film Nation: Shorts.

For more details visit www.london2012.com/culture