London Dragon Boat Festival 2015 - Sunday 28th June


Europe's most prestigious dragon boat festival celebrates 20th anniversary

The 20th London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival will be taking place on Sunday 28th June, 2015 at the London Regatta Centre, Dockside Road, London E16 2QT.

 

The 2015 London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival celebrates its landmark year with an extensive programme of racing, entertainment and a vast array of street food, providing an excellent opportunity to enjoy Chinese culture in the capital.

 

The free, family-friendly, one-day event is organised by London Chinatown Lions Club with support from Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, The Hong Kong Executives Club and The London Chinatown Chinese Community Centre and this year is expected to attract 10,000 visitors from across the UK and overseas.

 

In addition to being one of the capital’s most essential summer waterside festivals, the dragon boat racing itself promises to be as exciting as ever with 40 club, corporate and amateur teams battling it out for 4 cups and top honours.  Everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned paddlers are encouraged to enter the competition and recruit teams of 16-20, to take part in a minimum of 3 races. Dragon boats and drums are provided.   

 

Europe’s most spectacular Dragon Boat Festival will include the following attractions:

 

-       7.5 hours of dragon boat races with trophies presented at 5.30pm

-       Food festival offering the flavours of Eastern Asia

-       Live music on the East West Festival stage showcasing new music from East and the West

-       Martial arts & Tai Chi displays

-       Traditional Chinese lion dancing

 

Appearing live on the East West Festival stage and the Cultural stage (presented by DJ Alice from Spectrum radio) will be new and breaking musical talent and entertainers from both corners of the globe including Britain’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist dancer Kieran Lai recreating his ‘Tin Man’ routine which has seen him reach the Grand Final of BBC Young Dancer 2015, British-born Chinese singer, Will Li, who made the 2015 European round of The Voice China, 2014 The Voice contestant Luciee Marie Closier, YouTube sensation 3-piece girl band Vanquish (who are currently working with legendary producer songwriter Eliot Kennedy) , Hong Kong’s DJ Mi Key (who has worked alongside World DMC Championships  DJ Tommy) will be dropping tunes from around the world. Also performing will be Crash Island, a unique four-piece ‘dark tropical’ rock band based in Stoke Newington, whose 2 EP releases have been supported by XFM and BBC London, and the Jeffrey Alexander School of Martial Arts (JASMA) who will be demonstrating the diverse flavours of martial arts: Tai Chi, Chi kung, Shaolin, and Wing Chun Kung Fu.

 

The event also features a food festival offering the tastes of South East Asia, which this year includes Yi-Ban one of the most popular Chinese restaurants in London, Ayam Happy – Indonesian satays and nasi goreng, Banh Mi 11 – Vietnamese crusty baguettes, rice vermicelli salads and pho noodle soups, Ca Phe Vn’s Saigon Street – delicious Vietnamese tea and coffee, Korrito – authentic Korean BBQ meets Mexican burrito from Boxpark Shoreditch, Newdlez Pad Thai – freshly fried Thai cuisine at its best, Pitstop Cafe – award-winning pan Asian food stall, Taste of Vietnam, the acclaimed The Duck Truck selling crispy duck wraps, The Everybody Love Love Jhalmuri Express – tastes of India including a roasted rice snack served in a cone and eaten with a wooden spoon, Yu Kyu – Japanese tonkatsu sandwiches, Malaysian Kitchen: Enak Enak, Churros London and Jayda’s Ices.  Something for all tastes and all ages! 

 

London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is organised as a fund-raiser with proceeds donated to nominated charities supported by London Chinatown Lions Club. There is also a raffle draw with fantastic prizes including a pair of return flights to Hong Kong courtesy of Cathay Pacific and dinner for two at Hutong at The Shard. Event sponsor, Air France has also donated 2 air tickets to raise money for the Lion Club charities. 

Notes to Editors

ABOUT THE 20TH LONDON HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL:
Dragon Boat Festival originated in ancient southern central China some 2,500 years ago along the banks of Yangtze River, around the same era the Olympic Games began in Greece. Today dragon boat racing is one of the most popular water sports both in China and internationally.

Twenty years ago, London Chinatown Lions Club organised the first Dragon Boat Festival in London Docklands as a fundraiser for Chinese schools around the M25 area. With the support of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, the festival is co-organised by the London Chinese Community Centre and the Hong Kong Executives Club. The principal sponsor is Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London. This event has developed into a major cultural event in the Capital, attracting up to 10,000 attendees each year.

THE VENUE:
London Regatta Centre: Dockside Road, London E16 2QT
https://www.google.com/maps/preview?ll=51.507726,0.041333&z=15&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=embed&q=London+E16+2QT+UK

London Regatta Centre is situated opposite London City Airport, on the opposite side of the docks and next to Connaught Bridge.

All Dragon Boat team members, visitors, guests and sponsors are encouraged to use public transport where possible.

The nearest train station is Royal Albert using Docklands Light Railway (DLR).

The car park located directly outside the London Regatta Centre is reserved for VIP guests and voucher holders ONLY. Car parking for participants is located to the left of Building 1000 (this will be clearly signposted on the day).
Car parking vouchers will be available at the entrance to these car parks in exchange for a £3 charity donation to London Chinatown Lions Club.

June 15, 2015 8:49am ET by Alchemy Lifestyle PR   Comments (0)

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