Rising at 6:30am, the Real Ambassadors and the entire GHAA
team had a quick breakfast before boarding the Clark’s “coach” for the Olympic
Park. Today, the group will perform for a second time, but they’ve been asked
to bring their act to a very busy crowd area in the Olympic Park where some
select dignitaries will be making a walk-through at the appointed 11:30
performance time. So right on schedule, with the sun shining and a cool breeze
blowing, the performance kicked off near the Panasonic Building. Using acoustic
instrument arrangements, and just a handful of microphones and small amps, the
group rocked the streets and worked the crowd—making hundreds of onlookers
smile, clap, and sing along. The RA were enthusiastically applauded after every
number!
With a tight departure schedule, the group then gathered
instruments, costumes, and lunch-to-go for another “coach” ride across town to
the London Eye and a 4:00pm performance under that amazing, enormous ferris
wheel that straddles the Thames River. Of course, all the Ambassadors took a
ride first, and then gathered on the courtyard to perform for onlookers from
the Eye, the adjoining park, and tourists packed into the Southbank area.
What a rock out performance!! Dressed casually and flashing
red, white, and blue leis, the Real
Ambassadors performed a fantastic set directly to the street side audience,
dancing with them, playing to children in the crowd, and bringing the kids on
stage for a big finale. Later, the students interacted with audiences members
who had lots of questions about the group and their trip.
The day in London ended with a trip to Covent Garden for
dinner, a few extra gifts at the many stalls and shops, or some Godiva
chocolates or ice cream cones for dessert!!
Back at the hotel lobby, the students gathered the
faculty/staff and parents, and thanked them for their efforts during the
trip—handing each teacher a signed London poster, 2012. Tonight is the groups
last night in the UK. Tomorrow its off to Windsor Castle, lunch, and Heathrow
for the return flight to JFK.
Cheers!
By Ed Wierzbicki
Trip Journalist
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