Ealing Summer Festival 2006

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Jazz, comedy and the London Mela make up a packed programme

Get your diaries out now and block out mid-July to mid-August! The countdown to summer fun has begun with the dates announced for Ealing's exciting festivals of music, art and culture.

Ealing Council's 'Ealing Summer 2006' will feature the big names of comedy, including Bill Bailey and Alan Carr and jazz greats such as Ray Gelato and Ken Baldock.

The festival will run between 14 July and 13 August and this year features a brand new event, 'Ealing Summer Global', which will see performers from around the world take to the stage.

Festival favourites return with the best in live blues, South Asian arts and family performances also included in the line-up.

Councillor Nigel Sumner, cabinet member for health and community well being, said: "I am delighted that once again Ealing is hosting west London 's leading summer festival which is renowned for its diversity, creativity and colour. The addition of world music into this year's programme demonstrates the evolving nature of the festival and will help to attract a whole new audience to the fun and excitement of Ealing Summer."

The dates of the individual festivals are as follows and full details of each festival's line-up will be announced shortly:

The Ealing Comedy Festival (14-21 July)

Six nights of first class comedy in Ealing's famous Big Top tent in Walpole Park .

Bill Bailey headlines this year's line-up, with other performers including Ealing local Rainer Hersch, Ed Byrne and John Maloney. This is a ticketed event via the Box Office at 020 8825 6277.

The Ealing Blues and Roots Festival (22 July)

The biggest free one-day blues festival in the UK . See and hear some of the best acts from the British blues scene, including Connie Lush, in the relaxed atmosphere of Walpole Park .

Ealing Summer Global (23 July)

This is a brand new free event, demonstrating the dynamic nature of the Ealing Summer Festival. It brings together music from around the world in a fantastic celebration of pure musical innovation.

The JVC Ealing Jazz Festival (26-30 July)

Now in its 22nd year it is the largest free jazz festival in Europe, featuring more than 200 of the UK's finest musicians from world-renowned musicians to the hottest in up-and-coming new talent. The Ealing Jazz Festival is regarded as mecca for lovers of jazz. This year's new early start time of 5.45pm for the weekday programme will appeal to jazz-lovers on their way home from work.

Ealing Summer Families (22-23 and 29-30 July)

A full programme of inspirational and interactive arts and entertainment for children aged 3�13 and their families, featuring storytelling, theatre, dance and music in Walpole Park . Admission is free.

The London Mela (13 August)

The London Mela is one of London 's premier cultural events, held in Gunnersbury Park . It is the largest one-day celebration of Asian culture outside of the subcontinent. It will feature 10 zones of the very best contemporary and classical music, dance, street theatre, visual arts and much more, including two new commissions. Admission is free.

June 27th 2005