Crouch End Festival
Now in its 12th year, and one of the biggest community arts events in London, the Crouch End Festival returns with 3 days of cultural and creative events from Fri July 7th to Sun 9th. No wonder Crouch End was voted Best Place to Live in London!
With 5 centres across the N8 area, covering Crouch End, Hornsey and Stroud Green, it will feature music of all kinds: dance, poetry, spoken word, comedy, fringe, art, drama, a psychedelic light show, talks, markets, kids activities, workshops, history talks, and a free open air cinema night.
Plus dozens of performers doing their own thing from pubs to churches to barber shops and pop up spaces. This year we see a return of Poets in a Phone box with Alan Wolfson and others.
The best part is that almost everything is free! Chris Arnold, artistic director said, “We have always tried to make creativity and the arts free so everyone can enjoy it and especially in these tough times it means everyone can enjoy our rich catalogue of activities and performances.”
Fellow festival directors Chris Currer and Amanda Carrara added, “We focus mainly on local talent and provide a platform for that talent to shine – everyone does their own thing. Aside for the many upper coming performers we have some well established names – Rohan Candappa and Alan Wolfson are both seasoned Edinburgh performers, and American comic Mike Capozzola.”
Some highlights, almost everything is free!
WESTON PARK – artisan craft and food market and jazz stage featuring top performers. Sat 8th, 11am-6pm.
STATIONERS PARK – fun family festival – loads for kids, activities, performers, music, dance, Charlie the Clown, café, football academy, assault course, fun games, face painting, arts and craft tables. Sat 8th, 10-5pm.
OPEN AIR CINEMA (free) – Stationers Park, 7pm-9pm. Bar and popcorn, bring a cushion and picnic rug.
HORNSEY LIBRARY – 3 days of cultural events, music, art, film, comedy, story telling, drama, street art and more. Fri 7th – Sun 9th.
ST MARY’S TOWER: TOWER MUSIC FESTIVAL, open air. Live bands and the legendary psychedelic lightshow from 10pm. One hour concert for Ukraine. Bar and hot food. Sat 8th 6pm- midnight.
Tower Open Day – climb the Tower, fun activities, history talks, live music Sat 8th 11am-3pm
JIMMY C BLUES PICNIC – full day of blues bands at St Mary’s Tower, bring a picnic. Sun 9th from 12pm – 9pm.
HOLY INNOCENTS – classical, folk and ethnic music and performance. Fri 7th, Sat 8th.
Plus loads of other activities and performances across N8 – check out the Art House, Crouch End Picture House The Priory pub and other bars, cafes and spaces.
This year’s key sponsors are David Astbury, Ayrton Doors & Windows, Nikon, A View and Far East Consortium.
If you want to perform at the Crouch End Festival there may still be an opportunity – email [email protected]
For more details of what’s on check out the website www.crouchendfestival.org, Twitter @CrouchEndFest, Instagram @CrouchEndFestival or Facebook – Crouch End Festival, Crouch End Creatives and Hornsey Village Life.
The Crouch End Festival (London Community Arts CIC) is a not-for-profit organisation run by a small group of volunteers and is funded by local businesses. It receives no grants of funds from the Mayor, Arts Council or any local council so welcomes any support or sponsorship. Contact Chris Arnold 07778 056686 or email [email protected]
