5 January 2011 Eastbourne Bandstand is celebrating the start of the New Year after an estimated 6,000 visitors enjoyed its three free festive concerts, including its first New Year’s Day performance.
For the first time Eastbourne Bandstand promised a truly magical experience for the holiday season with a Christmas tree and lights decorating the iconic seafront landmark for the treble bill of festive concerts, which culminated in the Ray Campbell Dance Band taking to the stage on New Year’s Day to kick off 2011.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “What a wonderful start to 2011! The Bandstand Christmas concerts have been a popular tradition for many years regularly attracting thousands of visitors. It has been fantastic to be able to add the New Year’s Day concert to the diary this year and bring the whole community together for a third celebration.
“A huge thanks must go to Avondale Property Maintenance who sponsored the Christmas Day Concert, the Eastbourne Hospitality Association who sponsored the New Year’s Day Concert, and to the Lions Hotel Group who provided us with the tree and lights to really add to the festive experience.”
Eastbourne Silver Band entertained concert goers on Christmas morning for the traditional Christmas Day performance with visitors wrapping up warm and getting into the festive spirit.
And it was the Ray Campbell Dance Band who took to the stage on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day with the audience on their feet dancing and singing along.
One visitor said “We attended the New Year’s Day Concert at the Bandstand for the first time and it was fantastic! It was so lovely to see so many people singing, dancing, smiling and having fun. We can’t wait for the 2011 concerts to arrive!”
The Bandstand’s 2011 concert season gets underway this spring with a free Easter Day Concert on 24 April, with the popular tribute nights returning the following month on Friday 6 May.
For more information on what else is coming up at the Bandstand during 2011 including the spectacular 1812 Firework Nights, Kids’ Summertime Specials, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Sunday Night on the Proms and more, go to the Bandstand website.
