Orchestral music is often inaccessible to many people for a variety of reasons, but we’re about to be blessed yet again this weekend in Vauxhall for a concerts that are free and open for everyone! 

Brixton Chamber Orchestra is a diverse group of 30 Brixton based instrumentalists who provide and create music across a range of genres including…wait for it….classical, disco, gospel, grime, rap, swing, pop, drum & bass and others, and often have guest vocalists. They usually ply their trade in community halls and churches in Brixton, which explains why they’re not on our radar. And they’re not in Greater Kennington

Funded by Arts Council England and, surprisingly, by Lambeth Council, BCO is in the midst of a summer estates tour of 11 estates in Lambeth. They will be gracing us with their presence on Friday (26th) with two free concerts. The first is at the China Walk Estate, SE11 6BE at 15:30, and the second is at the Tea House Theatre in Spring Gardens at 19:00. We’re not sure why one of them is in the afternoon but could be your perfect excuse to skive off and grab a bottle at the Offie.

We attended this event in 2022 and it was great fun. Each show is unique and they’ve been known to feature guests musicians. They also encourage folks to get up and sing along, which should be made easier with that bottle you bought from the Offie. And if this is sounding like a kids event, trust us it isn’t. Not that there is anything wrong with kids, a few Runoff staff were once kids themselves. If you can’t make it or don’t live in Greater there are more dates on their website.

Did we mention it’s free? Did we add that we love free?