The Hannells Darley Park Weekender programme is revealed

Stage view at Darley Park Concert

Fri 6 Aug 2021

The countdown has started to The Hannells Darley Park Weekender!

From Friday 27 August to Sunday 29 August, get your deck chairs, picnic blankets and refreshments ready for the party of a lifetime! Two great film showings and the uplifting classical experience of the grand finale – The Hannells Darley Park Concert.

It is the first time Derby City Council has held events at Darley Park across the whole August Bank Holiday weekend, and Derby LIVE would not be able to stage them without our partners in the city and region. The weekend is supported by Hannells Estate Agents, who are the headline sponsor for the Hannells Darley Park Concert. Classic Ibiza and outdoor film screenings are brought to you with our media partner, Smooth, and The Hannells Darley Park Concert is also supported by Flint Bishop Solicitors, HUUB, Mortgage Advice BureauWDS and our media partner, BBC Radio Derby.

To help us all feel confident about returning to outdoor events, we are urging our audiences to Do the Right Thing for Derby. There is plenty of space for everyone at Darley Park, so please maintain social distancing wherever possible. We also encourage our guests to wear face coverings when moving around in a busy area. Our staff will keep toilets and busy areas clean. We will continue to follow Government guidance and recommend that you check our customer information before you set out.

Councillor Ross McCristal, Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture, Tourism and Wellbeing, said:

“The Hannells Darley Park Concert is a great Derby tradition and I’m delighted to welcome it back. Last year’s event went online due to the pandemic and everyone pulled out all the stops to make this happen. It was very well received, but nothing compares to everyone coming together in the same place to enjoy live music.

“With new events to add to the programme, Darley Park will be the place to be this Bank Holiday weekend, and I am confident we will all do our best for the city by enjoying them with consideration for our fellow audience members.”

Tickets for all events are available online or from our Sales and Information Centre on 01332 255800. Book two or more events and qualify for our Livesaver offer – the more tickets you buy, the more you save.

Here is everything you need to know about each show, so you can pick from a great weekend of entertainment: 

Friday 27 August: Classic Ibiza

Supported by Smooth

A symphony of house music for your senses! Get the party started as the Urban Soul Orchestra and a host of critically acclaimed vocalists bring a heady blend of Balearic bests to life in the beautiful setting of Darley Park.

Urban Soul Orchestra (USO) seamlessly integrate the two worlds of classical and electronic dance music. They have worked for 25 years at the top of the UK music industry. Founded by Stephen Hussey, who is the conductor, arranger and musical director, and co-directed by Natasha Beckman, they have worked alongside a veritable who’s who in the dance music industry, including Nightmares On Wax, Groove Armada, Ultra Naté, Octave One, Full Intention, Soul II Soul, Robert Miles, Sonique and Spiller.

Featuring 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.

With a thrilling laser and light show to set the evening sky alight, this will be an evening for the whole family to remember.

Line up:

  • 4pm Gates open
  • 6pm Warm up DJ - Selector KB
  • 7.45pm Sundowner Set - Urban Soul Orchestra
  • 8.45pm Interval - House DJ set with Miss Mavrik
  • 9.15pm Box Office and entrance gates close
  • 9.15pm Dance Set with Laser Show – Urban Soul Orchestra

Tickets are £44.50, and £22.00 for under 16s, who must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday 28 August: Outdoor family film screenings

Supported by Smooth

Frozen 2(U) 1.45pm

Follow the continuing adventures of sisters Anna and Elsa in this sequel to the Disney classic Frozen. Elsa has an extraordinary gift – the power to create ice and snow. But no matter how happy she is to be surrounded by the people of Arendelle, Elsa finds herself strangely unsettled. After hearing a mysterious voice, Elsa travels to the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond her kingdom – a journey of self-discovery.

Tickets: £14, under 16’s £10, under 2’s free. Book a family ticket (2 adults and 2 under 16’s) and save £8

Sing-a-longa The Greatest Showman (PG) 5pm

From the producers of Sing-a-longa Sound of Music comes the smash hit film musical The Greatest Showman – complete with lyrics on screen to keep everyone singing! Cheer, boo and hiss as you sing your heart out with our live host who will teach you some dance moves and show you how to use your free props bag.

Please note that this is a screening of the movie, not a live stage show.

Tickets: £18, under 16’s £16, under 2’s free

Sunday 29 August: The Hannells Darley Park Concert

Supported by Hannells Estate Agents, Flint Bishop Solicitors, HUUB, Mortgage Advice BureauWDS

Gates open 2pm. Concert starts 6.15pm

Derby’s favourite outdoor concert returns to delight the audience with a thrilling programme of classical music. Presented by Derby LIVE, Grammy-nominated and RPS award-winning orchestra Sinfonia Viva, supported by Rolls-Royce, will perform music inspired by the theme of engineering, science and technology, ending with a spectacular firework finale.

Once again, the Hannells Darley Park Concert is supported by local businesses which have the city at their heart. These are: Hannells, the family-run, award-winning estate agents; UK top 200 law firm Flint Bishop Solicitors; HUUB, specialists in performance wetsuits and apparel as worn by Olympic medallists; Mortgage Advice Bureau and WDS, suppliers of managed print services and document management solutions to businesses.

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.

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. Enjoy everything from Tchaikovsky and Strauss to John Williams’ theme from the film Superman.

The programme:

2pm: Gates open

6.15pm: Hot House Saxophonix

The UK’s only choreographed saxophone festival band, this group of 13 -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. They are making a very welcome return to Darley Park.

7pm – 8pm: Sinfonia Viva present the first half of the programme:

  • Tchaikovsky - Polonaise from Eugene Onegin. First performed in Moscow in 1879.
  • Arnold – English Dances second set no.1. A beautiful, uplifting piece.
  • Coleridge-Taylor – Valse de la Reine (Characteristic Waltz No. 3).A very popular piece.
  • Gershwin – They All Laughed. Sung by Ginger Rogers as part of a song and dance routine with Fred Astaire.
  • Taylor & King – You’ve Got A Friend. Sing alongto this favourite from Carole King’s album Tapestry.
  • Straus – Thunder and Lightning Polka. A Polkathat instils the glitz and the glamour of the dance floor.
  • Penguin Café Orchestra – Perpetuum Mobile. Recognisable from TV and film, this has been inspired by Derby’s 300-year history of making and innovation.
  • Wagner – Spinning Chorus. Celebrating Derby’s industrial heritage and the Silk Mill.
  • Coates – Dambusters. This leads us to the theme of flight with Sinfonia Viva’s friends and supporters, Rolls-Royce.

Interval: The Dalesmen Male Voice Choir

Formed in 1987, The Dalesmen have developed into a highly regarded choir. A registered charity, the choir supports a wide range of charities through its regular performances throughout the year.

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.

8.30pm: Box Office points and entrance gates close

8.30pm – 9.30pm: Sinfonia Viva present the second half of the programme:

  • Rossini – Galop from the William Tell Overture. An instantly recognisable fanfare.
  • Shostakovich – Tea for Two. An uplifting song to make you smile.
  • Williams – ET Flying Theme. A high-flying classic from Stephen Spielberg’s seminal film from 1982.
  • Williams – Superman March. Another classic which will be a tribute to NHS staff and all key workers who made such a huge difference and were such an inspiration during the last year.
  • Alren – Somewhere Over The Rainbow. A rendition of this instantly recognisable song.
  • Bacharach – Always Something There To Remind Me. Get up and dance to the song made famous by Sandie Shaw in the mid-sixties.
  • Adele – Skyfall. With the delayed release of the new James Bond film this year we have this explosive anthem.
  • Mercury – Bohemian Rhapsody. A Darley Park classic last performed four years ago, this song needs no introduction.
  • Offernbach – Overture To Orpheus. A truly epic piece of music, performed in unison with stunning fireworks over Darley Park.

9.30pm concert ends

This year’s concert will be accompanied by screens flanking either side of the stage for audience viewing pleasure and information. You could even see yourself on the big screens if you post on social media during the event using the hashtag #darley21.

Tickets are £6.00 and £3.50 for under 16’s when bought in advance, and £8.50 and £3.50 for under 16’s on the day. With tickets selling fast early booking is advised for this fantastic evening of classical music and fireworks. Book online or call our Sales and Information Centre on 01332 255800.