*
banner

Catch the Ladies of Midnight Blue in the heart of London

A series of free open air concerts in King's Cross next month will feature the fantastic percussion and brass sounds of the remarkable Ladies of Midnight Blue duo.

Midnight
  The duo have notched up numerous high profile performances over the past few years

There is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy open-air music in the heart of London next month with the series of free open-air Cubitt Session performances at London's King's Cross.

The annual open-air music festival is held in Coal Drops Yard, and brings together the world's finest folk, jazz, classical and experimental musicians to present a diverse and exciting mix of live music over 12 days — starting on Wednesday 11th August.

Open air

The open-access festival also makes it possible for everyone to share performances of the highest quality — with a line-up that features the prize-winning klezmer and Balkan band, She'Koyokh; the truthful, soul-bearing love songs of MarthaGunn; and winner of album of the year at the 2020 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, the Kate Williams Quintet.

With live concerts every evening from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, and from 1.00pm to 6.00pm on Sundays, Cubitt Sessions offers Londoners and visitors a fantastic free musical experience — from the sounds of contemporary Trinidad, interspersed with evenings of opera, musical theatre and song.

Ladies of Midnight Blue

Also featured on Thursday 12th August are Afro-Latin percussion and brass duet of Hannabiell Sanders and Yilis del Carmen Suriel, known as 'Ladies of Midnight Blue'.

They create a powerful and upbeat fusion of rhythms, weaving combinations of melodic percussion, brass, vocal chants, and mbira.

Hannabiell and Yilis are the co-founders and Directors of Harambee Pasadia CIC. Harambee in Swahili means 'let's pull together' and Pasadia in Spanish means 'to spend the day.' They also produce Harambee Pasadia the Afro-Fusion Arts Festival.

Ladies of Midnight Blue have performed and facilitated workshops and residencies all over the world. They believe in everyday activism, which they see as a commitment to work towards equality and justice in all aspects of their lives and for their communities.

They create a powerful and upbeat fusion of rhythms, weaving combinations of melodic percussion, brass, vocal chants, and mbira4BR

Broad range

The organisers promise a broad range of musical styles and just about something for every age and every taste.

Named after the architect Lewis Cubitt who designed the Granary Building that overlooks Granary Square, the Cubitt Sessions are produced and directed by Martin Collins, Executive Director of Russell Maliphant Dance Company, and presented in collaboration with Tête à Tête, Lafayette, English Folk Dance and Song Society, Kings Place and Anthony Whitworth-Jones.

Find out more

To find out more go to: https://www.kingscross.co.uk/cubitt-sessions

https://www.hannabiell.com/

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Result: 2025 Scottish Open

November 30 • Milnrow retains their cross border title in Perth.


swiss

Results: 2025 Swiss National Championships

November 30 • Valaisia Brass Band are champions again as BML Talents, MG Konkordia Aedermannsdorf, MG Ufhusen and Hinterlander Jugend Brass Band claim the National titles in Lucerne.


Besson

Besson ready with early Christmas offers

November 29 • If you are at the Swiss or Swedish Nationals, the Scottish Open or just off to do some earlier Christmas musical shopping, then put Besson on Santa's list — for some great deals.


swiss

Swiss connections add to Lucerne coverage

November 27 • 4BR will be linking up with their Swiss friends at BRASS BAND NEWS to provide extra insight and opinions about the performances in Lucerne this weekend.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Christmas Concert

Saturday 29 November • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB S32 1BB


Barnsley Brass - A Night At The Movies

Saturday 29 November • Worsbrough Miners Welfare. Park Road. Worsbrough Bridge. Barnsley S70 5LJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Unite the Union Band

Sunday 30 November • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross . Saddleworth. Oldham OL3 5AD


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Hathersage Band

November 27 • BACK ROW CORNET. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making, play a wide variety of music and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


wantage silver band

November 27 • 4th section national finalists Wantage Academy are looking for a Bb bass and 2nd cornet to complete their team. A friendly, welcoming band who rehearse Wed 7-8:30pm and Sat 10am-12 under MD Gavin Clemons.


Summerbridge & Dacre Silver Band

November 25 • 2nd or 3rd cornet required to boost our back row. We are a non contesting band, but carry out numerous events across North Yorkshire. We will be doing a joint concert with Carlton Main next year.


John Maines

BA (Hons)
Presenter, compere and conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd