The Bandstand Marathon
Final call for participants in Scotland: Help build the London 2012 legacy
Sunday 9 September 2012
1:00 – 5:00pm

   
The biggest community event of the London 2012 Festival closing celebration invites you to take part alongside thousands throughout the UK

Volunteer members of the public of Scotland are being called on by not-for profit arts organisation Superact and Making Music, the UK’s number one organisation for voluntary music, to participate in Bandstand Marathon – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of the finale celebrations for London 2012. Sign up to help bring live music performance to bandstands and outdoor performance spaces across the UK at the very same moment, marking the end of the London 2012 Festival and an amazing summer of sport and culture on the final day of the Paralympic Games, Sunday 9th September.

Scotland will be alive with music on Sunday 9 September, with bandstands in locations including Ayr, Bathgate, Cupar, Grangemouth, Inverness, Kilsyth and Kirriemuir already set to host a variety of bands, choirs and performers. To make the day truly memorable, showcase the best local talent, and leave behind the greatest cultural legacy, Bandstand Marathon needs everyone to get involved.

Bandstand Marathon is waiting for you to sign up in:
•    St Andrews
•    Edinburgh
•    Aberdeen

Performances held across Scotland will be among hundreds of outdoor community concerts taking place simultaneously across the UK, making up the nationwide Bandstand Marathon – the official closing event to the London 2012 Festival. Music of all types is welcomed. Bands, groups, choirs & individual musicians are being sought to perform, helping to make Bandstand Marathon a cultural legacy for many years to come. 

Ruth Mackenzie, Director, London 2012 Festival, said: “Bandstand Marathon is encouraging local music groups to showcase their talents and be part of the London 2012 Festival. I am proud that we are delivering our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in creating a cultural legacy post-London 2012.”

Speaking at the national launch at Colchester Castle Park, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: “2012 is a great year for the country. With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic and Paralympic Games there is no better time for communities to come together. Bandstand Marathon will be a fantastic afternoon of free live entertainment, getting people enthused about a wide range of music, and a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate what is good about their local area. The day is also a terrific opportunity to champion our local bandstands, very much a part of our cultural heritage, and help bring them back to life.”

Katharine Lane, Associate Director, Superact, said: “It has been a summer of incredible events and we are very proud that Bandstand Marathon will bring the London 2012 Festival to a close in such a spectacular way, giving everyone across the UK a chance to participate in the celebrations. The aim is to encourage people to support their local bandstands, parks and outdoor performance spaces with the whole community joining in - it’s going to be a very memorable day!”

For further information on taking part, to check for an event near you, or for more details about Bandstand Marathon 2012, visit www.bandstandmarathon.org.uk

For more information on the London 2012 Festival, and to find out what’s going on near you, visit www.london2012.com/festival