There’s nothing like a cold pint during a heatwave, so it was lucky for City workers that Guildhall Yard happened to be pulling plenty of them on Thursday for the annual City Beerfest.
Thousands turned out in the heart of the Square Mile on 5 July for an afternoon of music and beer-fueled frolic in the sun as the City Music Foundation’s annual fundraiser made its very merry return.
The festival showcased craft beers, ales and ciders by 15 top brewers around the country, from around the country, including Hook Norton, McMullen and Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame.
Entertainment was taken care of by the City Music Foundation’s talented female artists as part of the City Corporation’s Women, Work, Power arts season.
Trombonist and composer Rosie Turton led her quintet through an exploration of jazz, hip hop and Indian Classical music, while saxophonist Chelsea Carmichael assembled some of London’s finest young musicians for a rousing rendition of Charles Mingus’ Mingus Ah Um.
London-based Balkan music octet Baltika turned up for some foot-stomping traditional Bulgarian and Hungarian folk tunes and jazz group the Gorodi/Braysher Quartet rounded out the programme.
Graham Packham, the Corporation’s culture, heritage and libraries committee chair, said funds raised at the event will go towards the City Music Foundation – a charity that supports emerging musicians – and the Lord Mayor’s Appeal’s three charities; the Samaritans, Place2Be and OnSide Youth Zones.
“The festival is part of our Women: Work & Power campaign, which celebrates and recognises women’s struggles for equality through history,” he said.
“There are many more events throughout the summer, such as acrobatics show, Upswing/Motion House, and a series of outdoor cinema evenings.”
