18 April 2012
Music fans will be able to enjoy free concerts throughout May and June as a majority of Bandstand concerts are being offered free of charge at the new beach venue.
The temporary staging area on the beach will host concerts up to four times a week while the iconic Bandstand is repaired, with free entry being offered to its weekly 1812 firework concerts, Sunday afternoon traditional concerts and Sunday Night on the Proms.
The only concert to be charged will be Friday’s increasingly popular Tribute Night, with tickets ensuring that the audience numbers are kept within safe and manageable limits.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “I’d like to thank our Bandstand customers for their support and understanding during this period of essential works and by way of thank you, I am delighted to say that where it is safe to do so, that much of our programme will be free of charge during this time.
This is also a great opportunity for new customers to come and experience the great music on offer for Bandstand fans and see for themselves why this outdoor music venue has grown in popularity so much over recent years.”
The concert move is taking place throughout May and June while Eastbourne’s 1930’s Bandstand receives essential maintenance to its main ring beam. Despite the repair work, a full programme of concerts is continuing as planned in front of the Bandstand at a temporary staging area on the beach.
The summer season begins on Friday 4 May with a spectacular Abba Tribute show featuring fireworks. This ticketed event launches a season of popular tribute acts from Queen to Take That, and existing tickets will continue to apply to the new venue.
Free concerts begin on 6 May featuring Slinfold Concert Band as part of the Sunday afternoon traditional concert series, Sunday Night on the Proms launches on 3 June with Battle Town Band and 1812 concerts will continue with fireworks from the beach, starting on Wednesday 6 June featuring Uckfield Concert Brass.
Ticket holders are being informed of the changes and will be able to obtain refunds. Further updates will be available through newsletters, local media, websites, social media, poster sites and a helpline number will be available for customers.
Following the announcement of Bandstand repairs, the free Titanic Memorial concert on 15 April enjoyed an excellent turn out at its replacement Congress Theatre venue with audience members enjoying an afternoon of music from the Titanic era with the Champagne String Quartet.
The concert also featured a short film of the Charles Wesley Woodward plaque rededication while the Mayor of Eastbourne, Cllr Carolyn Heaps and MP Stephen Lloyd both paid tribute to Eastbourne’s well known bandsman who died on board the Titanic 100 years ago.
For more information and to obtain ticket refunds for Bandstand concerts, visit the Seafront Office, 6 Lower Parade, Grand Parade, Eastbourne BN21 3AD, open 10am to 5pm each day.
To contact the office email bandstand@eastbourne.gov.uk, telephone 01323 410611, or visit the website at www.EastbourneBandstand.co.uk for more details.
