Everything you need to know about the Hannells Darley Park Weekender
THE Hannells Darley Park Weekender is almost here!
Taking place from tomorrow until Sunday, grab your deck chairs, picnic blankets and refreshments to enjoy the party of a lifetime, two great film showings and the uplifting classical experience of the grand finale – the Hannells Darley Park Concert.
A much-loved tradition in the city’s calendar, last year’s concert went online due to the pandemic but this year not only is it back with a bang, there are events on both the Friday and Saturday to make sure Darley Park really is the place to be this bank holiday weekend.
Tickets for all events are available online from derbylive.co.uk or from the sales and information centre on 01332 255800. Book two or more events and qualify for the Livesaver offer – the more tickets you buy, the more you save.
So as you prepare yourself for a weekend of fantastic outdoor entertainment, check out some facts about the acts and shows.
1. Top quality tunes
The Urban Soul Orchestra have worked alongside some of the best names in the dance music industry from Nightmares on Wax, Groove Armada, Ultra Naté, Octave One, Full Intention, Soul II Soul, Robert Miles, Sonique and Spiller.
You can catch them seamlessly blending the two worlds of classical and electronic dance music tomorrow at Classic Ibiza, with electrifying and award-winning vocalists, and DJ sets from Selector KB, one of the country’s top DJs who has headlined sets and supported other artists, and Miss Mavrik, who has played everywhere from superyachts to super clubs like Pacha Ibiza.
Dance to the hottest club tunes from back in the day including Fat Boy Slim’s Praise You; Killer by Adamski and Seal; Something Good by the Utah Saints; The Prodigy’s Firestarter and Set You Free by N’Trance. And without giving you too much of a spoiler, the encore is a real banger! Tickets are £44.50, and £22 for under 16s, who must be accompanied by an adult.
2. Love The Greatest Showman?
You’re in good company. If you love the film and think you can belt out those tunes just as well as the next person, get your tickets now!
This special screening on Saturday is brought to you by the producers of Sing-a-longa Sound of Music, and even has the lyrics on screen to keep you singing along.
Cheer, boo and hiss as you sing your heart out with a live host who will teach you some dance moves and show you how to use your free props bag. Tickets: £18, under 16’s £16, under 2’s free.
3. The film that took Disney 70 years to make
Walt Disney had wanted to make the film Frozen since the 1930s but the story never felt quite right, and it was put aside until the 90s, when Disney tried again to get the project off the ground, and again in 2000. It wasn’t until 2008 that the story finally started coming together, and Frozen was born.
It has turned into an iconic family film, with the adventures of sisters Elsa and Anna capturing the hearts of the young and old alike, with the eagerly awaited Frozen II proving to be equally spellbinding.
Frozen II sees the return of the sisters along with adorable snowman Olaf, Kristoff and reindeer Sven as they travel to the mythical Enchanted Forest to unravel the origin of Elsa’s magical power.
You can watch an outdoor screening of Frozen II on Saturday at 1.45pm, supported by Smooth. Tickets: £14, under 16s £10, under 2s free. Book a family ticket (2 adults and 2 under 16s) and save £8.
4. Thank you superstars!
At The Hannells Darley Park Concert, Sinfonia Viva will perform the theme from Superman by John Williams in tribute to the work done by NHS staff and key workers during the pandemic.
The Grammy-nominated and RPS award-winning orchestra Sinfonia Viva, supported by Rolls-Royce, will also perform a programme of music inspired by the theme of engineering, science and technology, ending with a spectacular firework finale.
This year’s theme celebrates Derby’s 300-year history of making and innovation, marked by the proud reopening of Derby Museum’s Museum of Making this spring.
5. Unique performances
The evening kicks off at 6.15pm with Hot House Saxophonix, the UK’s only choreographed saxophone festival band. This group of 13- to 18-year-olds are all from the East Midlands and learned their trade through the not-for-profit Hot House Music.
They’ve recently started performing live again for the first time in 12 months after the pandemic put a stop to live rehearsals, and made them miss out on a rare opportunity to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, when the competition was postponed. They have spent the last year rehearsing virtually, including songs by Dua Lipa and Swedish supergroup Abba.
6. Interval entertainment
Don’t think the fun stops during the interval, oh no!
You’ll be entertained by The Dalesmen Male Voice Choir, who have been performing and supporting a wide range of charities since 1987.
They have toured many parts of the British Isles, enjoying the privilege of sharing the concert platform with the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, the Band of the Grenadier Guards and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra whose leader, Chris Dean, is a patron of the choir.
Their performance at Darley Park Concert will be mainly songs from well-known musicals – sit back and enjoy their wonderful sound during the interval.
7. And not forgetting...
Conductor James Holmes returns to Darley Park to lead Sinfonia Viva, with soloist Mary Carewe making a welcome return visit.
Your hosts for the evening are BBC Radio Derby’s Andy Twigge and Donna Alos. Andy is an award-winning presenter, has been a hit on commercial radio and is now working for BBC Radio Derby as the breakfast show presenter. Donna started out as a journalist in Surrey before moving on to presenting, and currently presents weekend breakfast on BBC Radio Derby which she says is the best job in the world.