aaamusic | On 14, Apr 2011

TICKETS ARE AVILABLE NOW AT
www.picnicconcerts.com

English Heritage is thrilled to announce that the imitable superstar Liza Minnelli will perform at the Kenwood House Picnic Concerts on Friday 1 July. Liza will set the North London property alight when she performs a feast of signature show tunes with her distinctive gusto andzest. This announcement comes hot on the heels of the wonderful news that a host of other world-class international and UK artists including the likes of Tom Jones, Jools Holland, James Blunt and Katherine Jenkins will feature in this year’s English Heritage Picnic Concerts programme. Held in stunning, sumptuous surrounds of Kenwood House, Hampstead and Audley End, Saffron Walden from 24 June until 31 July, the Picnic Concert series are a true highlight of summer, with tickets already sellingfast.

Liza Minnelli is one of the world’s most consummate performers. With an unrivalled spirit, enthusiasm and commitment to her craft, she has won a plethora of outstanding international awards including the Oscar for Best Actress (‘Cabaret’ 1973), a Grammy, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and numerous Tony Awards amongst many others. In film, on stage and in television, Liza has earned critical acclaim, a multitude of fans, and recognition from her peers, giving new dimension and credibility to the word “superstar.”

Her performance at the Kenwood House Picnic Concerts will feature many of Liza’s most celebrated showstoppers including ‘Cabaret’, ‘Maybe This Time’, ‘New York York’ – all written especially for her by the legendary Broadway song writing partnership of John Kander and Fred Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret). She will also treat the audience to a selection of stunning songs from her brand new album, Confessions, a spectacular collection of classic standards such as ‘You Fascinate Me So’, ‘He’s A Tramp’, ‘All The Way’ and ‘I Got Lost In His Arms’ interpreted as only Liza Minnelli can – intimate, warm, heartfelt and deeply personal.

With Liza Minnelli now added to the bill, Kenwood House will boast one of its most incredible line-ups to date as the property celebrates its 60th anniversary of picnic concerts. Legend Tom Jones will kick off the season on Friday 24 June, before Jools Holland and special guest Sandie Shaw dazzle the audience on Saturday 25 June. Jazz legend George Benson will bring the smooth, sultry sounds when he plays his ONLY UK show of 2011 on Saturday 2 July while French ensemble Gipsy Kings will showcase their unique, pop-inflected take on native Spanish music on Friday 8 July. English singer-songwriter James Blunt will complete the Kenwood House Picnic Concert season, performing in the magical North London setting on Saturday 16 July. The impressive 60th anniversary milestone will be celebrated with the Kenwood House Summer Prom on Saturday 9 July. Presented by Aled Jones, the Summer Prom will be a delightful evening of stirring classical master-pieces performed by the celebrated Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra climaxing with a fireworks displays.

At the Audley End Picnic Concerts, audiences will take a step back in time when Bjorn Again and Bootleg Beatles perform on Saturday 9 July while gorgeous girl group The Saturdays will bring their poptastic flair on Saturday 23 July. London trio Scouting for Girls will perform on Saturday 16 July, supported by pop songstress Sophie Ellis Bextor. Sir Tom Jones will return to the English Heritage Picnic Concerts, hitting the stage at Audley End on Saturday 30 July while Welsh songbird Katherine Jenkins will take the 2011 Picnic Concert series to a magical crescendo when she performs at the Last Night of Audley End Proms on Sunday 31 July.

Each year, the English Heritage Picnic Concerts see thousands of music lovers descend onto the expansive grounds of the stately homes with picnic blanket and hampers in hand. With world-class music and breath-taking locations, they are a wonderful celebration of the British Picnic tradition. Whether guests choose to bring their own picnics or enjoy the delicious pre-prepared picnic hampers by Carluccio’s, English Heritage Picnic Concerts allows guests to feast on some of the finest food and music in themost enchanting settings in the UK.

The concert dates for the 2011 English Heritage Picnic Concerts are as follows:

Kenwood House

Friday 24 June Tom Jones

Saturday 25 June Jools Holland with Sandie Shaw

Friday 1 July Liza Minnelli

Saturday 2 July George Benson

Friday 8 July Gipsy Kings

Saturday 9 July Kenwood House Summer Prom

Saturday 16 July James Blunt

Audley End

Saturday 9 July Bjorn Again/ Bootleg Beatles

Saturday 16 July Scouting for Girls with Sophie Ellis Bextor

Saturday 23 July The Saturdays

Saturday 30 July Tom Jones

Sunday 31 July Last Night of Audley End Proms – Katherine Jenkins