Six hours of fantastic fun and creativity in the wonderful setting of Home Park.
Music and dance acts will perform on the main stage throughout the afternoon, while elsewhere on the site there will be storytelling, free arts activities, children’s games, street performance, theatre, puppetry, walkabout acts, as well as a funfair and food stalls offering great food from around the world.
Jess Fostekew: Brave New Word – Gag-suffused show about etymology, brave words, new words and brave new words.
Owen O’Neill: Struck By Lightning – Owen O’Neill is, as far as we know, the only comedian alive to have been struck by lightning. He glowed in the dark for two weeks, developed a stammer and a firm belief that he was indestructible.
Local historian Steve Grindlay shares more revelations about local artists, musicians and writers; including one or two surprises in this illustrated talk.
Festival favourites Spontaneous Productions follow-up last year’s smash hit Wind in the Willows with this spectacular new adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale.
India during the Raj: ‘man-cub’ Mowgli is adopted by the wolf pack and trained in the ‘law of the jungle’ by Baloo the bear & Bagheera the panther. But man-eating tiger Shere Khan and a troop of jealous monkeys have other ideas.
Another Time is a darkly poetic mask dance piece exploring a world both ancient and mythological, resonant with contemporary environmental and ecological concerns.
Directed by local artist and sculptor Jeff Higley, who also created the masks and costumes, dancers Kate Pyper and Sally Dean move to a score combining extraordinary vocal and instrumental techniques.
Lindy Zubairy will teach budding crocheters how to make a beautiful crochet flower in the space of just one hour! Lindy teaches beginners and advanced courses at Alhambra Home and Garden.
Start here, and who knows what more might blossom!
Make an appointment with festival poet Gale Burns for feedback on your own written works, just for the price of a drink for you and him.
London Heats for this annual stand-up comedy competition for new acts, presented by Gilded Balloon.
The competition began in 1988 and has become the longest running best comedy newcomer award in the UK. Past winners include Dylan Moran, Lee Mack & Peter Kay.
This three-hour workshop will encourage new writers to explore their own experiences to develop an original 10-minute playlet or scene. Some of these will be seen at the Battle of the Bards playwriting competition showcase on Thursday 12 July. Winsome Pinnock is a locally-based playwright whose work has been seen at the Royal Court, the National Theatre and the Tricycle.
Sydenham-based, alternative folk artist Charlene Soraia, who hit the No.1 spot on the i-Tunes chart with ‘Wherever You Will Go’, will be performing at an evening of acoustic music in the traditional pub setting of the Golden Lion (particularly known for its jazz and blues nights, and one of Sydenham’s oldest pubs).
Also hitting the stage will be the French/African singer and performer who is back by popular demand, Vedina Mosé.
Back by popular demand – the biggest Blues Brothers tribute group in London. Using punchy horn and driving rhythm sections, the Tribute Blues Brothers Band give an authentic and riveting show.
Join them for an evening of high energy and great fun!
Come and write with the help of Festival Poet Gale Burns.
Learn in a friendly setting, with writing prompts, editing skills, and inspiration of published work. Even read your own work at A Fiesta of Poetry. For adults, older teens; beginners and experienced.
A plethora of songs from the 1930s by London’s charming chaps: Charlie Chaplin, Noël Coward and Sydenham’s own Norman Long. With Alex Carter (voice), Christian Vaughan (piano) and Cath Haggo (violin).
With Norman Long’s witty song references to Sydenham Gas Works, the politics of the 1930s, vintage cars, gardens, women, and life in Sydenham, Alex knew at once that Sydenham and quite possibly all of London shouldn’t be a moment longer without getting to know one of London’s most charming chaps!
Presented by Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, the UK leaders in music and contemporary dance: learn a new dance routine and perform it at the Big Dance Picnic at Horniman Gardens on Sunday 8 July.
Exhibition Launch
Come along to the launch of this amazing exhibition of work by children’s book illustrators at Kirkdale Bookshop.
A chance for budding young chefs to stretch their own dough and get creative with their favourite toppings at one of Sydenham’s popular Italian restaurants Trattoria Raffaele!
Suitable for children aged 3-10. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
A guest storyteller will be reading stories in this regular slot at Kirkdale Bookshop. For all aged 3 and up.
Three high-profile writers of fiction for teenage girls will be sharing their experiences at Sydenham School. Sally Gardner (I, Coriander) Kate Cann (The Diving in Trilogy) and Sufiya Ahmed (Secrets of the Henna Girl) will discuss the future of reading and writing for teens with The Guardian and Stylist magazine columnist Lucy Mangan, author of several books, including Hopscotch & Handbags: the Truth About Being a Girl.
Bring a picnic and enjoy the balmy atmosphere of Mayow Park after sunset for a one-off screening of the fabulous musical movie The Little Shop of Horrors.
Down on Skid Row, a nerdish florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant. (Directed by Frank Oz, of The Muppets fame)
Trinity Laban and the Horniman Museum invite you to enjoy a picnic in the Horniman Gardens while watching and joining in with folk-themed, professional and community dance.
Running alongside the Horniman’s Mummers, Maypoles and Milkmaids photographic exhibition, the event will offer Morris dancing, maypole dancing and folk music aplenty.
Mary Bourke: Hail Mary! Irish comic Mary Bourke takes a caustic, hilarious look at 21st century life. “One of the best female acts in the country.” GQ
Chris Neill: Lifetime Achiever – described as ‘the natural successor to Kenneth Williams’, Chris Neill’s acidic wit is regularly demonstrated on Radio 4’s legendary Just a Minute.
An illustrated talk by Kathleen Adler, the former director of education at the National Gallery and author of A Time and a Place: Near Sydenham Hill. Camille Pissarro, the French impressionist painter, painted many local landmarks, but his most famous painting is The Avenue, which includes St Bartholomew’s Church, the beautiful venue for this event.
Now an established Sydenham Arts Festival event, come and hear cutting-edge work, and even read your own!
Hosted by Festival Poet in Residence Gale Burns, this celebration of the poetic word heralds top readings from Festival favourite ACER-winning writer Ronnie McGrath, Gregory Award-winning Liz Berry, and Gale Burns himself. It’s sure to be a wonderful evening!
From playing Glastonbury and Ronnie Scott’s to miming on children’s television, musician turned comedian Rosie Wilby looks back at the emotional rollercoaster of chasing stardom at the heady height of Britpop. How (Not) to Make it in Britpop is a revised version of her acclaimed 2011 Edinburgh Fringe show Rosie’s Pop Diary.
Mixing stand up, storytelling and songs, Rosie delves into a personal treasure trove of old photos, fan letters, reviews and the original Rosie’s Pop Diary.
Actor and photographer Bill Ward (aka Coronation Street’s evil builder Charlie Stubbs, now deceased) previews his latest landscape photography exhibition at Alhambra, and discusses how life in the public eye has inspired his beautiful photographs of wild and remote locations.
This 2011 black comedy, directed by Roman Polanski, sees two couples go head to head after their sons are involved in a playground fight.
Eight new playwrights go head-to-head in an evening of short plays, performed script-in-hand by professional actors.
Experienced judges will be on hand to offer their comments and the audience will vote at the end to choose the winner.
A varied and unusual programme of classical and modern songs from mezzo-soprano Hilary de Santos, accompanied by pianist M Philip Enscot and cellist Natalie Hancock.
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream brings together songs by Schubert, Gurney, Britten, Tchaikovsky, Tosti, Rossini and others.
An exciting line-up of superb local bands – ranging from rock and pop to reggae and rap – will be battling it out to win your vote for Sydenham’s best unsigned band.
Last year’s winner, Ziegler Company (about to release their debut album), will close the evening with a stunning set.
Based on The Jungle Book animals, children will learn how to move like their favourite creatures through dance and drama with Ros Parker, professional actress and movement director.
At the end of the workshop the children will put on a show for parents and friends, with an opening dance ceremony and Olympic sport competition!
An interactive musical introduction to the books of Gareth P Jones, taking in dragon detectives, murderous twins, family secrets, Ninja Meerkats and the occasional talking mushroom…
Spontaneous Productions presents some wonderful extracts from beloved children’s author Roald Dahl, read by professional actors. Extracts include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, Matilda, George’s Marvellous Medicine, James and the Giant Peach and more!
Prepare to be blown away by this 12-piece band, made up of soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxes.
Playing an eclectic mix of styles from swing, funk and blues to pop and classical, you’re guaranteed a fun afternoon!
Excited by anime (a style of animation originating in Japan)? Budding illustrators should check out the manga workshop with award-winning comic artist Sonia Leong. She has more than 80 magazines, novels, art books and film/TV projects to her credit, including the manga version of Romeo and Juliet.
Sonia will give a masterclass on what makes the art form distinct, and how to work on proportion and anatomy styles.
An evening of Russian Eastern Europe music performed by Sydenham Arts Festival regulars Balalaika - featuring Justin Bateman on balalaika, Nigel Austen on bayan-accordion (a form of a Russian button-accordion), Adam Gaiman on guitar and Mick Prendergast on the mighty bass balalaika.
The quartet will play some traditional Russian foot-stompers, poignant evocations of love lost and some plain good fun music in between. Look out for their unique twist on one or two pieces form he classical repertoire.
Not quite an Olympic sport, “Bird Boxing” is a new comedy by Ros Parker and Bruno Roubicek in association with Outburst Theatre.
After the 2011 Arts Festival hit, “Raw Cake”, Ros and Bruno return to rummage about a bit in the beautiful Grow Mayow Community Garden. Audience members will have the chance to build their own bird boxes under strict rules and guidelines in a race against time. Suitable for families, foragers and freeloaders.
Performance poetry: waking the giant within.
Adisa will introduce the participants to performance poetry, using various exercises to help students create their own original poetry. The session concludes with a mini-performance of their work.
Suitable for ages 11-16.
“Adisa is the future. It’s so good to have something to look forward to.” Benjamin Zephaniah
Recently dubbed the patron saint of poetry by poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Roger McGough is one of Britain’s best known contemporary poets.
He presents Radio 4’s Poetry Please and was last year elected president of The Poetry Society. He’s also a former pop star, reaching Number One as a member of The Scaffold in 1968 with Lily the Pink. Here he reads from his collection That Awkward Age, in which he wrestles with mortality, seeks love in the launderette and jives in Macca’s trousers.
A wonderful carnival of poetry on the pavement for passers-by of all ages. Featuring a host of exciting poets including Dzifa Benson and resident poet Gale Burns.
Lucy Porter: People Person – Lucy Porter’s brand new show is a mixture of experimental psychology, social anthropology and stand-up comedy. She explores whether she’s right to be a ‘people person’, optimistic about human nature, or whether she ought to be more cynical.
Alan Francis: Expands – After 20 years on the circuit eating pies from petrol stations, there is no doubt he has expanded. “Delivery is pitch perfect and timing is spot on.’”**** The List
SAF CLOSING EVENT
Fresh from recent performances at London’s 100 Club, a five-day tour of the German Rhineland and their annual stint supporting the runners at the London Marathon, the South London Jazz Orchestra (SLJO) brings you a night of jazz and swing classics from the golden era of Big Band.
Join Harmony Sinfonia for a musical journey through the magical world of Fairy Tales.
Visit the exotic world of Aladdin, fall asleep in the forest with Hansel and Gretel, watch a doll come to life in Coppelia, discover the stories of Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb, and Beauty and the Beast, and explore the wondrous world of Harry Potter.
Come dressed as your favourite fairy tale character, bring your magic wand and prepare to fall under our spell!
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