In 2006 just a few weeks after the death of their good friend Andy Weekes from cancer, some of his closest buddies decided to throw a party to remember him by and that would have made Andy and his family proud. On Saturday 23rd June 2007 their notion had become reality and the first Summer Soulstice took place in the London suburb of Barnet.
Now over 5 years have past and this allday soulful music festival has become an annual outdoor family favourite amongst the locals of north London, the Home Counties and beyond. With an all star DJ line all of those who knew or worked with Andy over the years including Nicky Holloway, Dr Bob Jones, Mark Webster, Ash Selector, Ralph Tee, Dave Cee, Jester Groove, Gilo Boy, Jamie T, Marky Mark, Richard Felstead, James Anthony, Chris Bangs, Niki Golding, Stavros, Mark Goddard, Tim Nicholls, Gavin Page, Bigger and even the late, great Froggy. All have supported this noteworthy event which raises money for Cherry Lodge Cancer Care and other local organisations...
To date some 12,000 people of every age have turned out to support our four outdoor events with the latest Summer Soulstice proving to be another excellent gathering for soul music lovers courtesy of our heavyweight DJ line-up and a superb line-up of PA's from Drizabone Soul Family, David Joseph, Second Image, RIchard Alexander Davis and Phil Fearon! With 3 main arena's of music, it was another 12 hours of soulful grooves in the sunshine and whole load of family friendly fun going on within the beautiful setting of Old Elizabethans Memorial Ground, a place where Andy Weekes enjoyed many a game of cricket and a pint! It has now become the annual and spiritual home for Summer Soulstice.
From the outset, it was decided that the event should support a local charity and our good friends at Barnet's Cherry Lodge Cancer Care are considered to be the most fitting. Up to now we have raised well over £50,000 to help them and in the process have had a lot of good fun. Even in these difficult times, we continue to raise more funds for Cherry Lodge and their commendable work helping sufferers of cancer.
Summer Soulstice 6 is scheduled to take place on a Saturday in mid to late June 2012, once again @ OE's, Mays Lane, Barnet - watch this space for further details... The Soulstice Crew x
