Three hour session open to all

Oxjam Chiswick, a group of Chiswick based volunteers delivering a local music festival in aid of Oxfam, is warming up for its main event with a serious workout: a three hour zumbathon.

Featuring a number of local instructors, the event on September 24th in the back room of the George IV is open to all regardless of Zumba experience, and participants can choose to join in for a one hour session or brave the whole event.

Zumba classes, which originated in Colombia, have swept the country in recent years, with a number of popular classes taking place in Chiswick. The classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats that mean participants hardly realise the cardio workout they are having. It’s easy to do, effective and enjoyable.

The Zumbathon is the second event run by OxJam Chiswick, who are inspired by their love of the community, local music, and the work of international charity Oxfam. They have forged together support from venues, businesses and individuals to plan, create and deliver a music festival called ‘Oxjam Chiswick’, on behalf of Oxfam, a first for the West London area.

The Oxjam Chiswick takeover day is on October 22nd but a number of events are taking place in the lead up to the big day, and Zumba, where the soundtrack is as important as the moves, complements the festival which will feature a spectrum of musical genres.

Oxjam Chiswick’s first event, a Vintage and Vinyl night in the same venue which featured pop-up vintage stalls and acoustic sets, was a great success. An October ball will be the final event before the take-over day itself. Oxjam Chiswick hopes to raise £20,000 for Oxfam, a charity which focuses on three main objectives, emergency response, campaigning for change, and development work worldwide.

September 9, 2011