More than 700,000 people are estimated to have attended events at the Olympic Park in Stratford over the summer months that included appearances form music stars Bruce Springsteen and rapper Jay-Z, as well as the Anniversary Games and the National Paralympic Day celebrations which took place last weekend.

The series of free events begin today with a tea dance and 70s themed disco, followed by eclectic musical performances tomorrow, including from the local Hackney Colliery Band, while on Sunday September 15 bands including Jive Aces, the London Gay Big Band, Swing Patrol and Rimski's Bicycle Piano will be performing.

Sunday (September 15) will also the Copper Box Arena hosting a celebrity charity basketball game featuring players such as British Basketball League (BBL) Most Valuable Player Drew Sullivan, British Olympian Julie Page and American National Basketball Association (NBA) star Marcus Camby, as well as other notable sports personalities, including football manager Mick McCarthy, former world champion sprinter John Regis and Olympic triple jump silver medallist Phillips Idowu.

Britain's Derek Chisora will take on Denis Boystov of Russia for the European heavyweight title at the Copper Box Arena on September 21


























A wheelchair basketball exhibition match will also take place between a team of British Paralympians and former servicemen, while the Copper Box will also host boxing and badminton events over the coming weeks and months, including Britain's Derek Chisora taking on Russian Denis Boytsov for the European heavyweight crown on Saturday September 21.

"Following a spectacularly successful summer, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has established itself as a world beating venue for top notch sport and entertainment," said Johnson.

"As the Park continues its transformation ahead of its full opening next year, I am pleased to announce the next series of events that will enable thousands more people to enjoy this remarkable site."

Latino, African and folk themed "By the River Weekends" are due to be staged over three consecutive weekends starting on September 22, followed by an arts and animation day run by the National Campaign for Drawing, called the Big Draw, on October 12, while November will see a Diwali themed lights display, an old style music hall concert at the Timber Lodge as well as a performance by the East London Mobile Studio.

Recreation and play facilities for youngsters have been put into the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park following London 2012

























"Our debut summer series exceeded all our expectations," said London Legacy Development Corporation chief executive, Dennis Hone.

"It was fantastic that over 700,000 people visited Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to enjoy a wide range of events and see for themselves what the Park has to offer.

"The beautiful parklands, Timber Lodge Community Centre and Tumbling Bay playground are already becoming firm favourites and with a great line up of events for the coming months crowds are set to continue to flock to the Park.

"When the Park fully opens in spring next year, and people can use the iconic venues including the Lea Valley Velopark and stunning Aquatics Centre, it really will be a must visit destination and a lasting legacy in east London."

Organisers have said that more events will be announced for the Olympic Park in the coming weeks.

"We are really excited by the upcoming series of events in the Park," said Mel Wilds from event organisers Continental Drifts.

"East London is such a vibrant area and the events programme is a great opportunity to celebrate the culture and communities around the Park.

"We are very proud to be the programme partners for this iconic London location."

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