War & Peace: An Afternoon of Music, Song and Remembering

This July sees music collective Walthamstow Acoustic Massive (WAM) join forces with Natural Voices, the E17 jazz band, a smattering of West End stars, and a homemade dove! Including over 100 singers and musicians, commemorating the 100th anniversary of World War One. The performance 'War & Peace' marks the Walthamstow community’s creative contribution to the yearlong calendar of events held nationwide.

The performance, moving and uplifting in equal measure, a stirring afternoon's entertainment for the whole family. Songs of wartime, friendship and peace will cover musical genres of rock, gospel, pop, soul, to the classics and jazz with much laughter, tears and cheers. It promises to be a WAMTASTIC day out!

WAM is the collective name for Alison's Strung Out violins, Lizzy's Natural Voices choir (and now other singers) and Dick's banjo and ukulele players. Brandishing the motto, ‘It’s never too late!’ WAM is unexpectedly evolving as a powerful, musical community. It not only offers a platform for adults wishing to pick up an instrument again or learn a new skill, it’s also a social network that’s created a new lease of life for people to discover friendships, hobbies and skills, no matter what their age. WAM’s work was reinforced by last years' BBC and Arts Council funded project, Express Symphony. Performed at six East London festivals, an original composition was devised by Strung Out and composed by Alison. With further support from the Arts Council this year, WAM is now inspired to conquer East London!