RAIN did nothing to dampen the spirits of families celebrating the East End’s annual Teviot festival. “They were dancing and singing in the rain,” said organiser Peter Day, echoing Gene Kelly’s 1957 Hollywood hit

By Shanelle Hamilton

RAIN did nothing to dampen the spirits of families celebrating the East End’s annual Teviot festival.

“They were dancing and singing in the rain,” said organiser Peter Day, echoing Gene Kelly’s 1957 Hollywood hit. “People weren’t dispirited by the wet weather.”

Crowds still came out to Poplar’s Teviot neighbourhood centre to watch performances and take part in the fun activities.

A new addition this year was the Salsa dancing. The crowds got involved and danced.

Performances included professional singer Jack Valentine who belted out Frank Sinatra classics, and East London’s own Griffettes girl group who performed a majorette dance routine.

The festival held in Poplar since the 1970s is organised by the Teviot Estate families themselves for a fun day out once a year—even if it rains.