Discover The Arts On Your Doorstep!
Author: Jonathan Kaufman, Director
27th May, 2010: Ten days and counting!
The long-awaited second Sydenham Arts Festival is nearly upon us – featuring over ninety exciting events throughout the summer.
Kicking off with a magical Alice in Wonderland Tea-Party in Kirkdale Care Centre’s Garden, Kirkdale Bookshop will be presenting promenade theatre, children’s art activities and free tea and cakes! (3-5pm, Sunday 6th June) Come along and meet your favourite Lewis Carroll characters!
Other early events in the festival to look forward to include:
- Artist and print-maker Richard Spare will be visiting Kirkdale Bookshop to talk about his work (currently on display in the bookshop’s gallery). Come along and meet him at 6.30pm on Wed 9th June.
- Sydenham Sings – a scratch choir for anyone who just wants to sing – any ability, age, experience welcome! You don’t need to read music or even sing in tune – just come along on June 12th to Dietrich Bonhoeffer Church at 2pm.
- To tie in with Independent Booksellers’ Week there’s quite a few events at the bookshop in June, including a Book Group Party (Mon 14th), a talk from author Jad Adams about his latest book, Gandhi: Naked Ambition on Wed 16th (7.30pm) and an Usborne Craft Workshop (4-5.30pm, Fri 18th).
- Also at Kirkdale Bookshop, on Saturday 19th June, bookbinder Liz Howard will be giving a demonstration of her craft from 11am until 4pm.
- And in the evening of the same day, members of the Kirkdale Bookshop Writers’ Group will present readings of their latest work. (7.30pm)
- Children’s entertainers Bedlam Bunch present two fantastic interactive storytelling shows from children and parents/carers on Sun 20th June at Albion Millennium Green. Pirate Pete’s Treasure Adventure and Fairy Fidget’s Magic Medley are suitable for all between 3-10. Shows at 1pm and 3.15pm.
- Movement coach and choreographer Ita O’Brien will be hosting a Physical Theatre Workshop for Performers on the weekend of Sat 26th & Sun 27th at FH Space, Havelock Walk, Forest Hill.
- A unique theatrical experience is to be had at The Two Half’s Pub on Sun 27th June as Bickles Banana Tree Theatre present The Colour of Deception, a story of adultery and revenge – actors will perform while they serve up a three-course Caribbean meal. Show at 4pm (£10).
- Then there’s Jazz at The Dulwich Woodhouse, a free concert at 4.30pm on the same Sunday.
- Lastly in June is Spontaneous Productions’ latest theatrical venture: The Brothers Kaufman’s Three-Course Comedy at the Trattoria Raffaele combines three short comic plays with a starter, main course and dessert. Three performances only on Tues 29th, Wed 30th June and Thurs 1st July.
In July and August there’s lots more to look forward to, including:
- Sydenham’s Got Talent in Tudor Livesey Hall
- London Bubble’s The Sirens of Titan in Sydenham Wells Park
- Lewisham Youth Choirs at St Bart’s Church
- Free film-making workshops for young people at Sydenham Library
- Trio l’Aria at the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Church
- Folk & Blue Grass Night with The Coal Porters and Keston Cobblers Club at Tudor Livesey Hall
- Oh Là Là! French Cabaret and Balalaika at the Dolphin Pub
- A Fiesta of Poetry at the Golden Lion
- Two Visual Arts Exhibition and Artists’ Trail weekends
- Forest Fest at Forest Hill School
- A children poetry’s workshop and jamboree at Kirkdale Bookshop
- Sydenham Unsigned – a brand-new ‘battle of the bands’ at Tudor Livesey Hall
- A Summer Family Day – dance activities presented by Disco Dayz on the bowling green of Tudor Livesey Hall
- A beach outside Kirkdale Bookshop with storytelling for children
- A Jamaican Cultural Weekend at The Two Half’s
- A fantastic Family Fun Day in Home Park
- Followed by a free Open Air Film Show
- The Three Musketeers in the garden of The Dolphin Pub
- Children’s theatre show The Search for Love in The Hob, Forest Hill
- Two concerts to mark the 70th anniversary of the Blitz presented by Alexandra Carter at Tudor Livesey Hall and St John’s Church, Penge
- Barbershop Belles – an a capella singing troupe – at the Hob, Forest Hill
This is just a selection of more than ninety events taking place between 6th June and 11th September. Kirkdale Bookshop and Alhambra Home & Garden have many more events over the three summer months – check out their websites for more details.
For dates, details, times and prices of all events please see our website. Or pick up one of our brochures in the Sydenham area (available in most cafes, shops, pubs, libraries and arts venues).
