Rekindling a forgotten custom of all the ships along the Thames blowing their horns and ringing their bells to welcome in the New Year, we helped facilitate a series of workshops alongside Art in The Docks scattered around the former commercial Royal Docks area of East London.

Open for free to members of the public, three concurrent sites helped visitors design their own flags, fold recycled paper into boat-shaped hats, and even make honking horns from plumbing offcuts! The story of a lost paper boat making friends and exploring rivers and seas was told through an energetic and interactive puppet performance by Edie Edmundson.

After everyone donning their hats and hot drinks we stomped out into the docks, parading along the waterfront led by the bombastic New Orleans/ Latin America/ Balkan Jazz tones of the Brass Volcanoes. With the wind whipping flags back and forth our clapping and dancing attracted the attention of passing boats who blared their fog horns in return.

Setting out from across the docks each parade went their own route, with trombone notes drifting through the misty air as we headed towards a central meet for a finale dance and public celebration of the joy of sound.

Hosted at venues across the Royal Docks area, including the recently renovated Compressor House community hub.