Free Events at Southbank Centre
Southbank Centre regularly hosts free events, performances and exhibitions across the site. Enjoy live music on Friday
evenings performed by today's leading musicians and bands, including up-and-coming jazz musicians Tomorrow's Warriors
and Emerging Artist in Residence Ayanna Witter-Johnson. Learn some ballet moves in The Clore Ballroom, or watch short documentary
films that examine contemporary culture in China in The Hayward.
The Saison Poetry Library hosts a free exhibition
of work by studio potter and lettering artist Liz Mathews, and the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef comes to The Hayward Project
Space and Royal Festival Hall's Level 2 Foyer this summer, bringing to life the plight of natural coral in the face of
increasing pollution.
events in this series
The Saison Poetry Library
A Good Time and a Half
Saturday 12 July 2008 - Friday 31 October 2008
Artist Sinta Tantra revisits the spirit of the Festival of Britain.
Free
Gamelan Room
Gamelan and poetry workshops
Tuesday 23 September 2008 - Tuesday 9 December 2008
10.30am-12.30pm: Gamelan and Poetry workshops for Lambeth Primary schools
Admission free
Art By Offenders
Saturday 27 September 2008 - Friday 7 November 2008
From paintings and photographs to matchstick models and soap sculptures, the Art By Offenders exhibition features extraordinary new creations by prisoners, high security patients and immigration detainees from across the UK.
Free
The Clore Ballroom
Disposable People
Saturday 27 September 2008 - Sunday 9 November 2008
Today, over 200 years after the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, an estimated 27 million people are still locked into slavery and servitude across the globe.
Free
The Hayward Concrete
Flomotion
Saturday 27 September 2008 - Saturday 25 October 2008
Enjoy an night of warm and soulful futuristic dance music in Concrete, the bar and cafe located in The Hayward.
Admission free
The Hayward Concrete
Wah Wah 45s presents Concrete Funk
Thursday 2 October 2008 - Thursday 6 November 2008
Dom Servini runs the Wah Wah 45s record label and related club nights at Cargo, The Jazz Cafe and more, as well as specialist jazz nights Favourite Things and Jazzin', and DJing across the globe from Tallinn to Tokyo.
Admission free
The Hayward Concrete
Lite Exposure
Saturday 4 October 2008 - Saturday 1 November 2008
DJs Amber and Lambswool and Jonny Rock perform accessible and sophisticated versions of various forms of dance music.
Admission free
The Hayward Project Space
Cyprien Gaillard: Glasgow 2014
Tuesday 7 October 2008 - Sunday 16 November 2008
One of the most significant young French artists to emerge in recent years, Cyprien Gaillard works across a range of media.
Free
Front Room
Harmonium Day
Saturday 11 October 2008 - Saturday 11 October 2008
An opportunity to see, hear, touch and play a variety of harmoniums.
Admission free
The Hayward Concrete
Mouth 2 Mouth
Saturday 11 October 2008 - Saturday 8 November 2008
Mouth 2 Mouth is a monthly instalment of dreamy beats, aural treats and great laid-back artistic vibes.
Admission free
Front Room
Chantage
Sunday 12 October 2008
BBC Choir of the Year in 2006, Chantage are a stylish and energetic chamber choir whose versatility knows no bounds, whether performing new commissions, traditional choral material or collaborating with beatboxers.
Admission free
Front Room
Global Harmony
Sunday 12 October 2008
Global Harmony from Leicestershire takes delighted audiences on a musical world tour through unaccompanied songs in glorious three and four-part harmony.
Admission free
Front Room
Voicelab Welcomes: London Lucumi Choir
Sunday 12 October 2008
Founded by vocalists Daniela Rosselson, Martha Galarraga and percussionist Dave Pattman in 2006, the London Lucumi Choir explore a broad range of Afro-Cuban music, featuring songs from the Yoruba, Dahomey and Congo traditions.
Admission free
The Hayward Concrete
Trouble Tune hosted by Z-U
Wednesday 15 October 2008 - Wednesday 19 November 2008
Z-U is one of the bands to watch on the London jazz scene this year playing dates at the Vortex Jazz Club, supporting Seb Rochford’s Polar Bear at Ronnie Scott’s, and having secured a forthcoming slot at the London Jazz Festival.
Admission free
The Hayward Concrete
King of Kings
Thursday 16 October 2008 - Thursday 20 November 2008
One night a month, Southbank Centre gently rocks and grooves to the best in ska, calypso, roots, rocksteady and lover’s rock - classic genres later represented in the mainstream in bands and artists like No Doubt, Lily Allen and Reel Big Fish.
Admission free
Royal Academy of Music
Symposium: Messiaen's Piano Music
Friday 17 October 2008
A day of talks and discussions on Messiaen's piano music, with contributions from pianists Peter Hill and Pierre-Laurant Aimard.
Admission free
Foyer Bar- Level 2
The Park Lane Group Young Artists Trailers
Friday 17 October 2008
In this first of three informal showcases leading up to the Park Lane Group's Young Artists New Year Series at Southbank Centre in January 2009, some of the country's 'brightest young musicians' (Independent) perform a lively and varied programme.
Admission free
Front Room
Helele
Friday 17 October 2008
Specially invited by Shlomo to perform on the same night as his latest QEH show, Helele is the creative brainchild of Cameroonian musician Alphonse Daudet Touna, whose balafon (an African marimba) melodies forge another style of afro jazz through a mix of forest rhythms and infectious grooves.
Admission free
Queen Elizabeth Hall
EAR Present
Saturday 18 October 2008
Enjoy a night of diverse music, poetry and contemporary dance, with some of London's brightest emerging talent.
Admission free
The Hayward Concrete
Echaskech Presents
Saturday 18 October 2008 - Saturday 15 November 2008
Dom and Andy have been involved in London's music and club scene for over ten years and form part of audio visual act Echaskech along with Mach V.
Admission free
Foyer Bar- Level 2
Billingshurst Choral Society & The Angmering Chorale
Sunday 19 October 2008
Two of southern England's largest and most reputable choirs, both under the music direction of George Jones, come to the Southbank for an afternoon of choral singing.
Admission free
Foyer Bar- Level 2
Take Twenty
Sunday 19 October 2008
Take Twenty, under its dynamic musical director Rachel Coward, celebrates the best of popular song in sweet and swinging harmonies.
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
Disposable People - Voices
Sunday 19 October 2008
Inspired by and responding to this thought-provoking exhibition, Southbank Centre's Voicelab Swell choir present a specially created performance of song.
Admission free
Poetry Library
Giving Breadfruit
Monday 20 October 2008
An evening with poets Malika Booker and Karen McCarthy.
Admission free
The Hayward
Members Event
Thursday 23 October 2008
A great opportunity for Full and Dual members to view Andy Warhol: Other Voices, Other Rooms away from the crowds and enjoy a talk by Exhibition Organiser Charu Vallabhbha.
Admission free (ticket required)
Blue Room, Spirit Level
From A To B: Introduction to Warhol Cinema
Thursday 23 October 2008
A knowledge of Andy Warhol's films and videos is crucial to understanding his work in other media.
Admission free
Royal Academy of Music
Research Forum: Messiaen's late organ music
Friday 24 October 2008
A discussion on the late organ music of Messiaen, examining Livre du Saint Sacrement within the context of the orchestral work Eclairs sur l'Au-dela, with organist David Titterington and Christopher Dingle, author of The Life of Messiaen.
Admission free
Foyer Bar- Level 2
Adrian Varela & The Philharmonia Orchestra Chamber Ensemble
Friday 24 October 2008
Violinist and composer Adrian Varela leads fellow Philharmonia Orchestra members in scintillating performances of his own Tango and Samba-imbued compositions for string quartet.
Admission free
Front Room
Poetry International Opener - Featuring Reem Kelani
Friday 24 October 2008
A special edition of the regular Friday evening free performance slot combines live music and poetry to mark the opening of the festival, and drawing particular inspiration from the work of John Berger.
Admission free
The Hayward Concrete
Furioustyle
Friday 24 October 2008 - Friday 21 November 2008
DJ Younglee brings his tunes fresh from venues such as Proud Gallery, Bedroom Bar and Cargo to Concrete for his monthly installment of Furioustyle.
Admission free
Foyer Bar- Level 2
Choir Invisible
Sunday 26 October 2008
Based in the East Midlands, Choir Invisible are one of the UK's most talented and powerful gospel-soul choirs.
Admission free
Poetry Library
GB poets
Monday 27 October 2008
A poetry reading celebrating the poetry scene in Britain today with poets including Tom Chivers, Valeria Melchioretto and Sascha Aurora Akhtar.
Admission free (limited availability)
Front Room
The Park Lane Group Young Artists Trailers - Late in The Front Room
Monday 27 October 2008
Hosted by renowned soprano Catherine Bott, this a chance to see and hear an informal trailer for the Park Lane Group Young Artists New Year Series.
Admission free
Hayward Outside Area
Living Pictures
Wednesday 29 October 2008 - Thursday 30 October 2008
Inspired by Robin Rhode's floor drawings, create your own chalk picture, learn how to make it come alive then watch as it disappears.
Admission free, places limited
Royal Festival Hall
Soloists of the Philharmonia Orchestra
Thursday 30 October 2008
A chamber music recital by Soloists of the Philharmonia Orchestra.
Admission free
Poetry Library
Sign Language Poetry
Thursday 30 October 2008
Performances by deaf artists and poets of sign language poetry, sign song and written word translated into sign language.
Admission free (limited availability)
Foyer Bar- Level 2
Dave Danford
Friday 31 October 2008
Fast building a reputation as one of the UK's finest young percussionists, Danford performs an informal concert of accessible music for solo percussion and features brand new commissions from Andrew Keeling, Gareth Wood and jazz artist Dave Stapleton, alongside solo percussion classics by Keiko Abe and Matthias Schmitt.
Admission free
Front Room
Huw Warren
Friday 31 October 2008
Pianist Huw Warren performs a solo set, featuring both his own compositions and improvisations developed from source material as diverse as John Dowland and Chopin, the music of north-east of Brazil, Welsh hymns, Morton Feldman, Serialism and Charlie Parker.
Admission free
Front Room
Michael's Greeting
Saturday 1 November 2008
The opening performance in the festival KLANG: A Tribute to Karlheinz Stockhausen.
Admission free
Front Room
Stockhausen and The Beatles Family Workshop
Sunday 2 November 2008
Come and join in with a family workshop on Stockhausen and The Beatles.
Admission free
Foyer Bar- Level 2
Voicelab Welcomes: Croydon Male Voice Choir
Sunday 2 November 2008
Founded in 1975, Croydon Male Voice Choir is building a growing reputation both in this country and abroad.
Admission free
Front Room
Stockhausen and Spirituality
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Join composer Jonathan Harvey and musicologist Jerome Kohl for an informal exploration of mysticism and spirituality in Stockhausen's life and music.
Admission free
Sunley Pavilion
Members Event
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Introduced by William Trevitt and Michael Nunn, this event provides an insight into their work and has been put together by the Balletboyz exclusively for Southbank Centre Members.
Admission free (ticket required)
Front Room
Stockhausen Non-Classical Club
Thursday 6 November 2008
An evening where musicians redefine contemporary classical music.
Admission free
Purcell Room
The Wire magazine presents the scope
Friday 7 November 2008
A free, late-night event featuring Stockhausen’s feral children.
Admission free
Level 5 Function Room
PLG Young Composers Symposium
Saturday 8 November 2008 - Sunday 9 November 2008
Hear new music from 20 student composers, performed by 30 student performers, as part of the Park Lane Group's Young Composers' event.
Admission free
Front Room
Family workshop: Cerealism
Saturday 8 November 2008
Record your breakfast and make serial music with Stockhausen afficianado and composer Robert Worby.
Admission free
White Room, Spirit Level
Gamelan Tutor Development Session
Saturday 8 November 2008
Join with facilitator Duncan Chapman for a session in developing gamelan workshop leadership skills.
Admission free
Foyer Bar- Level 2
Gamelan Klenengan
Saturday 8 November 2008
An afternoon of gamelan music, performed by gamelan players from across the UK led by Rahayu Supanggah.
Admission free
Foyer Bar- Level 2
Voicelab Welcomes: The Few
Sunday 9 November 2008
The Few is a dynamic London-based pop choir with roots in electro, trip-hop, jazz, folk and indie.
Admission free
Foyer Bar- Level 2
Voicelab Welcomes: Velvet Fist
Sunday 9 November 2008
Velvet Fist is a women's socialist a cappella group based in London that has been performing for many years around the country.
Admission free
Festival Terrace
Michaels-Abschied
Sunday 9 November 2008
Royal Northern College of Music students perform Stockhausen's Michaels-Abschied.
Admission free
Front Room
The Jazz Choral Club
Monday 10 November 2008
Back by popular demand, these hour-long singing sessions at the end of the working day give an opportunity to work with some of the finest jazz vocal experts around.
Admission free
Royal Festival Hall
Philharmonia Orchestra: Martin Musical Scholarship Fund Recital
Tuesday 11 November 2008
Recital by viola player Simone van der Giessen, an award-winner of the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund.
Admission Free
Front Room
The Jazz Choral Club
Tuesday 11 November 2008
Back by popular demand, these hour-long singing sessions at the end of the working day give an opportunity to work with some of the finest jazz vocal experts around.
Admission free
Front Room
The Jazz Choral Club
Wednesday 12 November 2008
Back by popular demand, these hour-long singing sessions at the end of the working day give an opportunity to work with some of the finest jazz vocal experts around.
Admission free
Front Room
The Jazz Choral Club
Thursday 13 November 2008
Back by popular demand, these hour-long singing sessions at the end of the working day give an opportunity to work with some of the finest jazz vocal experts around.
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
Blink
Friday 14 November 2008
A performance from this lively trio.
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
Funk Off
Friday 14 November 2008
The London Jazz Festival's party vibe kicks off in infectious style with this high-energy 15-piece Italian marching band, who will raise the roof with their exuberant mix of brass and percussion.
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
Herbie Remixed
Saturday 15 November 2008
A fresh take on Herbie Hancock from Southbank Centre's multi-talented group of Emerging Artists in Residence (EAR).
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
Big From Scotland
Sunday 16 November 2008
A double bill of big bands that exemplify the strengths of jazz in Scotland.
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
The Voicelab Jazz Day
Sunday 16 November 2008
Working with some of the country's top jazz vocal experts, Southbank Centre's Voicelab initiative presents a show celebrating the jazz voice with audience participation and learning at its core.
Admission free
Front Room
Hear Me Talkin' To Ya: Alan Barnes & Tony Faulkner
Monday 17 November 2008
An opportunity to hear from artists in the London Jazz Festival.
Admission free
Front Room
Hear Me Talkin' To Ya: Kurt Elling
Tuesday 18 November 2008
An opportunity to hear from the superlative US vocalist Kurt Elling, in conversation with Radio 3 broadcaster and journalist Jez Nelson, before his performance in the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Admission free
Front Room
Hear Me Talkin' To Ya: Ruhayu Supanggah & Portico Quartet
Wednesday 19 November 2008
An opportunity hear a discussion between artists in this year's London Jazz Festival.
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
The Jim Mullen Trio with Stan Sulzmann
Friday 21 November 2008
Jim Mullen is a truly original voice in contemporary jazz guitar.
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
JD73
Friday 21 November 2008
Morcheeba keyboardist and ace producer Dan Goldman leads a fast and funky new band, with a strong first album, Zeros and Ones, already making waves.
Admission free
Front Room
Hear Me Talkin' To Ya: Sibongile Khumalo & Jack DeJohnette
Friday 21 November 2008
A talk featuring Jack deJohnette and Sibongile Khumalo.
Admission free
Front Room
Live To Europe
Friday 21 November 2008
A special live broadcast edition from the European Broadcasting Union for the London Jazz Festival.
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
Jazz Line-Up Live
Saturday 22 November 2008
BBC Radio 3's Jazz Line-Up brings the spirit of the London Jazz Festival to audiences on air and in person.
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
Maylight
Saturday 22 November 2008
This new band led by saxophonist Mary Wakelam serves up punchy tunes and edgy grooves blending jazz and hip-hop.
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
BBC Introducing
Sunday 23 November 2008
Jez Nelson hosts a showcase of the most exciting and creative emerging UK jazz talent.
Admission free
Front Room
New Jazz Now
Sunday 23 November 2008
Three of the country's most promising new bands - winners of a scheme that also takes them to Cheltenham and Manchester Festivals before embarking on their own nationwide tours - take to the floor on the first stage of their journey.
Admission free
Foyer Bar- Level 2
The Park Lane Group Young Artists Trailers
Friday 28 November 2008
An informal showcase leading up to the Park Lane Group's Young Artists New Year Series at Southbank Centre in January 2009.
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
Voicelab Welcomes: The Philharmonia Chorus
Sunday 30 November 2008
The Philharmonia Chorus performs a selection of choruses from the classical repertoire.
Admission free
Front Room
Musical Dialogues: British and Israeli Music
Sunday 30 November 2008
New Noise, the jazz and improvisation group from Brunel University, perform as part of the Musical Dialogues: British and Israeli Music day.
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
Voicelab Welcomes: The Kaos Signing Choir with the Angels of Kaos
Sunday 30 November 2008
The Kaos Signing Choir for Deaf & Hearing Children perform original Songs Of Kaos.
Admission free
Royal Festival Hall
Philharmonia Orchestra : Music of Today
Sunday 30 November 2008
The French composer Gerard Grisey died suddenly ten years ago at the age of only 52.
Admission Free
Front Room
Hadar Manor
Sunday 30 November 2008
Hadar Manor, an Israeli busker based in London, sings her songs.
Admission free
The Clore Ballroom
Gauri Sharma Tripathi
Saturday 6 December 2008 - Saturday 6 December 2008
Southbank Centre Artist in Residence and choreographer Gauri Sharma Tripathi's new piece explores the unique bond between two dancers.
Admission free
St Pauls Cathedral
Huw Williams, organ
Sunday 7 December 2008
Written in 1935, Messiaen wrote these nine symphonic meditations, which represent the gestation of the Christ child in Mary's womb.
Admission free
Front Room
The Park Lane Group Young Artists Trailer
Friday 12 December 2008
The last in a series of informal showcases leading up to the Park Lane Group's Young Artists New Year Series at Southbank Centre in January 2009.
Admission free
Royal Festival Hall
Philharmonia Orchestra: Martin Musical Scholarship Fund Recital
Thursday 29 January 2009
A recital by oboist Fraser MacAuley, an award-winner of the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund.
Admission free
Royal Festival Hall
Philharmonia Orchestra : Music of Today
Saturday 31 January 2009
A new commission from Priti Paintal, bringing together members of the Philharmonia Orchestra and Indian musicians from Shiva Nova.
Admission free
Purcell Room
Philharmonia Orchestra: Martin Musical Scholarship Fund
Monday 2 February 2009
A recital by an award-winning ensemble of the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund.
Admission free (ticket required)
Purcell Room
Philharmonia Orchestra: Martin Musical Scholarship Fund
Monday 23 February 2009
A recital by an award-winner of the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund.
Admission free (ticket required)
Purcell Room
Philharmonia Orchestra : Music of Today
Thursday 12 March 2009
Oliver Knussen has always had a special feeling for vocal writing.
Admission free
Royal Festival Hall
Philharmonia Orchestra : Music of Today
Tuesday 7 April 2009
Leading Danish composer Hans Abrahamsen writes music only when he feels compelled to do so.
Admission Free
Royal Festival Hall
Philharmonia Orchestra: Martin Musical Scholarship Fund
Thursday 16 April 2009
A performance by cellist Matthijs Broersma, award winner of the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund.
Admission free
Purcell Room
Philharmonia Orchestra: Martin Musical Scholarship Fund
Wednesday 6 May 2009
A recital by an award-winner of the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund.
Admission free (ticket required)
Royal Festival Hall
Philharmonia Orchestra: Music of Today
Sunday 10 May 2009
Salvatore Sciarrino is fascinated by sounds, especially quiet sounds.
Admission free
Royal Festival Hall
Philharmonia Orchestra: Martin Musical Scholarship Fund
Thursday 14 May 2009
A performance by violinist Matthiue van Bellen, award winner of the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund.
Admission free
Purcell Room
Philharmonia Orchestra: Martin Musical Scholarship Fund
Wednesday 3 June 2009
A recital by an award-winner of the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund.
Admission free (ticket required)
Royal Festival Hall
Philharmonia Orchestra : Music of Today
Thursday 25 June 2009
Eureka!
Admission free
Royal Festival Hall
Philharmonia Orchestra: Martin Musical Scholarship Fund
Tuesday 30 June 2009
A performance by violinist Leonard Schreiber, award winner of the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund.
Admission free
