Photo: Chris Winter

Wembley Park and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will present the 2nd edition of Wemba’s Dream, “Wemba’s Dream: Join the Journey,” on Sept. 10, 2022, at Green Parking at Wembley Park.

The site-specific performances in the car park combines over 50 RPO musicians, spoken word, contemporary music, and dance.

“Wemba’s Dream: Join the Journey’s” theme centers on murmurations, the phenomenon in which masses of starlings create living, ever-changing clouds as they swoop and swirl about the evening sky during migration. The second edition is a follow-on to the 2021 Wemba’s Dream project inspired by an Anglo-Saxon traveler who settled in the area later known as “Wemba Lea” and then Wembley Park. The theme of migration is fitting for the RPO, as they will move their headquarters to Wembley Park in 2024. Ultimately, the goal of the RPO and Wembley Park collaboration is the creation of a cultural hub in the neighborhood.

“This is an incredibly special way to mark the long-term creative partnership between Wembley Park and RPO, which aims to unify local community groups and showcase the best of Brent talent whilst presenting orchestral music in new, thought-provoking forms and environments,” stated Josh McNorton, Cultural Director at Wembley Park. “Not only does the project celebrate the RPO moving its headquarters to the area in 2024, but Wemba’s Dream will keep being an annual event that we hope will provide the rich creative talent of Brent with a global platform to showcase their brilliant work.”

The performances feature brand-new music from British contemporary classical composer Dani Howard, who has been working collaboratively with RPO musicians and Brent-based performers to create new scores and reimagined arrangements, all inspired by the powerful migration of birds. Howard was nominated for The Times Breakthrough Artist of the Year and the Classical Music Category for the 2022 South Bank Sky Arts Awards.

Performers include Brent-based Mahogany Carnival Arts, spoken word collective WordUp, the Sujata Banerjee Dance Company, and singer-harpist and Wembley Park Live Academy graduate Aoife O’Dea. There will also be a performance of Lord Kitchener’s “Sugar Bum-Bum,” to mark the centenary of the Calypsonian’s birth.

Attendance is free and open to all ages.