article about Bill at 2012 Hampstead Heath Community Summer Festival
19/07/2012 15:25 GMT

Posted by lisa

The following article appears online at http://tinyurl.com/7xdqt8e (original URL http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2012/jul/former-goodie-bill-oddie-joins-guitarist-john-etheridge-hampstead-heath-community-summ) - the online version has a nice photo of Bill.



Former Goodie Bill Oddie joins guitarist John Etheridge at Hampstead Heath Community Summer Festival

Published: 19 July, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

CRIES from the crowd of “play the Funky Gibbon” were laughed off on Sunday as Goodies star Bill Oddie joined jazz guitarist John Etheridge on stage to round-off an afternoon of top entertainment at the Hampstead Heath Community Summer Festival.

The comedian and wildlife TV presenter joked: “You won’t get that, you’ll get arrested”, before continuing with a 45-minute set of soul and blues music.

Mr Oddie, who lives within a stone’s throw from the South End Green celebrations, added: “Rather than sit at home and complain about the noise, I thought I’d come out and make some of my own.”

Other highlights included a high-energy routine from dance group Interlude, a performance from the Blossom Time Gospel Singers and a jam session from Camden-based band The Autistix.

A host of stalls and amusement rides, plus plenty of food, gave the hundreds who flocked to the fair every reason to smile, while Fairy Shari led a procession of children to the new World Peace Garden.

There were also performances by local stars Zada and Dado – film composer Dado Dzihan, who wrote the soundtrack to Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut, In The Land Of Blood & Honey – and his daughter Zada.

Chairman of Hampstead Heath Community, Amjad Butragueno, was delighted with how successful their second summer festival was.

“It was fabulous,” he said. “We were very fortunate with the weather and everybody really enjoyed themselves.

A special thank-you must go to all the local businesses and volunteers who helped put on such a wonderful show.

“I also really want to thank Fifth Column, who donated 500 T-shirts and sweatshirts for us to sell.

All the proceeds will be going to charity.”