On Sunday, 9th Aug, something amazing and magical will take place in Balham – The Balham Street Festival 2009. The event will be held in Hildreth Street Balham from 1pm to 5pm.

Local residents will be able to enjoy a street festival with a difference – an afternoon programme of great entertainment with a musical line-up made up of 12 participating local acts each performing 3 songs on a quick on-off stage turnaround, ending with a grand finale with our special star guest.

This 4 hour non-stop live music extravaganza promises to be an afternoon to shine in the history of Balham, a free-for-all event that not only promotes communities and local shops.

Balham Street Festival is all about bringing people together, a joyful experience for all, where communities interact with one another regardless of age, color or creed. The event starts at 1.00pm.

Balham Street Festival is brought to you courtesy of local promoters Rocco Buonvino and Fayon Cottrell, hosted jointly with Tony Moore.

The event is being funded by The Balham Partnership and Wandsworth Council. A number of local businesses are sponsoring the event including Hot Bikram Yoga, The Bedford, McDonalds, Waitrose, Essential Local and The Fat Delicatessen.

The showwill bebroadcast LIVE on the Internet and alter aired on Sky TV Life Channel 186

Programme
•1.00pm; Tony & Fayon presents
•1.05pm; Tony Moore opening song
•1.15pm; The Ellements
•1.30pm; Ellen Miller
•1.45pm; Modeste Hugues
•2.00pm; Jamie Abbot
•2.15pm; Carrie Haber
•2.30pm; Kasaï Masaï
•2.45pm; Marcus Bonfanti
•3.00pm; Call Me Laura
•3.15pm; Ellie Rose
•3.30pm; Davide Senna
•3.45pm; Susan Black
•4.00pm; Special Guest: Lou Jordon as ‘Elvis’
•4.45pm: Guest Speaker
•5.00pm; Photo shoot + Show ends
•6.00pm: After Show Party at Harrison’s

THE ARTISTS

Tony Moore is no doubt one of UK’s most influential man in the music business today, and a man who has launched the careers of many artists today, and indeed a top songwriter, singer and presenter, whom, without him, there would be no Bedford! A successful artist himself, his career expands over 20 years, and was proud to be behind the massive hit song ‘I Died In Your Arms Tonight’ with band Cutting Crew, and was host to hit TV show ‘Lets Talk Music’. http://www.myspace.com/tonymoore4music

The Ellements are a sexy and sassy all singing all dancing group entertainment group. Mia Chari, TJ Arlette and Sarah Yong are members of the Ellements girl band. The girls debut single ‘Walk Right Now’ shot to the No.1 in the dance charts back in 2005. The girls have also been on tour and supported bands such as Blue, Faith Evans and Misteeq to name but a few. All girls have modeled for various magazines and appeared in a variety of commercials and TV programmes. http://www.myspace.com/ellements

Ellen Miller is probably one of the UK music scene’s best kept secrets. For 3 years, Ellen has been ‘doing it the old way’ - learning her craft on stages small and large throughout the country, and working with great producers - including Phil Harding, Michael Henry and Matt Waddell. With good song-writing and a great delivery, it is no surprise that Ellen has already supported quality artists like Lucie Silvas, Andrew Roachford, Midge Ure and Benny Gallagher. http://www.myspace.com/ellenmilleruk

Modeste Hugues is a pleasingly smoky-toned singer and a fine guitarist, able to play rhythm and lead all at once. He's so effective in this musical sleight of hand that audience members scan the stage in search of a (non-existent) second guitar player. http://www.modeste.co.uk/

Jamie Abbott is a pop artist with songs that resonate. With influences ranging from Dizzee through to Lamontagne he has a unique sound which is complimented by a distinctive vocal. A fan of many musical genres, Jamie's catchy hooks and conversational lyrics play out in his own contemporary style. Listening to him perform is akin to reading a book you’d never wish to end. http://www.myspace.com/jamieabbottmusic

Carrie Harber is "Every critic is equating her with names like Kate Bush and Tori Amos" says The Times. With little effort, Carrie has already succeeded in attracting the attention of several promoters and has found herself singing to huge crowds at the YMCA Bob Geldof concert as well as at Sting's after party. Carrie is gifted with an amazing vocal range and mature song-writing and piano playing skills and is destined for success beyond our shores.

Kasai Masai band named after a river, Kasai is a region in Congo which lies in the heart of the rain forest where many tribes such as the Baka still maintain their traditional lifestyles. The band plays ancestral music which has been passed on from generation to generation and is rooted in the healing power of percussion and chanting combined with the majestic sound of the Congolese folk guitar. The set becomes complete when joined, live, by a saxophone which brings a smooth jazzy delicacy. Truly amazing.

‘Call Me Laura’ is fronted by the talent filled Laura Critchley whose vocals are reminiscent of some of the great female vocals of years gone by. Bonnie Tyler and Janice Joplin spring to mind, as well as a female Rod Stewart! Laura has been filling the Radio 2 air waves over the last 2 years, and is currently recording her 2nd album, which has developed into a much rockier style. She has toured extensively, with acts like the Sugababes and Boyzone, as well as recording for Robbie Williams. She scored a top 5 hit in India last December, having toured the major cities there in a frenetic week of intense travelling http://www.myspace.com/callmelauramusic

Ellie Rose will be celebrating her 14th birthday on the day of the Balham Street Festival - but she is already on her way to being a seasoned performer and accomplished guitarist / singer / songwriter, having played several dates in the past year including The Bedford in Balham, Oliver's Jazz Bar in Greenwich and the Main Stage at the Marylebone Summer Fayre. She attends Kingsdale Foundation School in Dulwich, which is rapidly becoming a serious competitor to The Brit School for nurturing new talent.

Davide Sanna is an exemplary guitarist and performer from Sardinia (Italy). Davide combines styles that echo traditional folk roots mixed with his innovative approach to playing the guitar and composing. Such unusual upbringings lead to a music that cannot easily be labelled. Acoustic Folk Roots maybe serves the purpose, although the variety of styles in Davide's music drifts from Folk to Mediterranean to Jazzy flavours, across countries and genres. Davide is not simply known for the quality of his song writing, but enjoys the respect and admiration of all those who have ever witnessed one of his performances.

Susan Black is multi-talented performer and songwriter who has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry. The Stage describes Susan Black as “An international diva star with a voice that can fill the Albert hall with a microphone, and indeed a radical break from the norm”. She is an artist who defies categorization as she performs effortlessly in a diverse range of styles, a true showstopper with a truly extraordinary voice, which amazes audiences everywhere with its incredible richness and quality. Susan Black is true one-off, a sparkling jewel and a genuinely original talent who has a magical power of delighting her audiences beyond all expectation.

Lou Jordon as ‘Elvis’ swept Angelina Jolie off her feet. He impressed Miami Vice star Don Johnson so much, that he booked an entire night club to hear him sing. Lou Jordan the king of all Elvis tributes, is very much alive and well, and here at the Balham Festival...He packs bars and clubs night after night, all over London his following grows. No-one is better at working an audience than Lou and within seconds of the first few beats of Viva Las Vegas, "Elvis virgins" are already hooked deep into the Lou Jordan phenomenon. The chat stops, and the crowd go wild. http://www.myspace.com/loujordanaselvis