2003 29-31 August (West India Quay)
The heritage of Tea in the Victorian Docks was our theme this year. The Festival relocated to West India Quay in the Canary Wharf area. Together with the newly opened Museum in Docklands, we attracted 10,000 visitors.
Activities
Smoky Tea Den Weekend (West India Quay)
Along the quayside were tea pavilions from China, Japan, India, and Africa, an arts & crafts bazaar, floating tea garden, Mad Hatter's Tea Party, tea dances, stiltwalkers, street artists, majorettes, travelling musicians, and food stalls. Original poetry was written by visitors with help from wandering poets.
As night fell, the Fire Lighting Ritual started off 'Parading with Glamour'. The Starlight World Music Club Night with Akaash rounded off the evening.
Tea Dance Stage (West India Quay)
The Tea Dance Stage appealed to all age groups who participate in a range of dances including ballroom, jive, tango, swing, salsa, charleston, lindy-hop, Latin, line dancing, sequence dances and easy moves.
Traditional Sailing Crafts (Cutty Sark)
Display and demonstrations in sail-making, block making, knot-tying, quoit-making, and an opportunity to play deck quoits.
Performances
Crucible of World Traditions (The Space)
Monday 25th Aug
Udichi in a musical performance based on The Liberation Movement of Bangladesh
Workshop 5.30pm - 6.30pm / Performance 7.15pm - 8.15pm
Tuesday 26th Aug
Fusion in the process, preparation and presentation of Somalian traditional performances.
Workshop 5.30pm - 6.30pm / Performance 7.15pm - 8.15pm
Wednesday 27th Aug
Indigo Moon in 'The Worm That Squirmed' - a thrilling Indonesian puppet play for all ages from 5 upwards.
Performance 3.00pm - 4.00pm / Workshop 4.15pm- 5.30pm
Thursday 28th Aug
Alé Douvan celebrating key social occasions through Afro-Caribbean dance and music that connected traditional and modern styles. With young people from Entwine.
Workshop 5.30pm - 6.30pm / Performance 7.15pm - 8.15pm
Friday 29th Aug
Jingkun Opera Association in 'Preparing for Battle' - a magnificent piece from the dazzling repertoire of Beijing Opera.
Workshop 5.30pm - 6.30pm / Performance 7.15pm - 8.15pm
Last Saloon Festathon (The Space)
48 hour non-stop weekend of performances, bands, exhibitions, films, classical music, kids stuff, poetry, open mic sessions cabaret, comedy and installations.
Tea Hats (Museum in Docklands)
Children made tea hats and wore them at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party on the Tea Dance Stage.
Photographic Exhibition (Jack Dash Gallery)
An exhibition of photographs inspired by the cosmopolitan heritage of tea taken during Summer workshops by young people from multiethnic backgrounds, including deaf young Bangladeshis.