RCDT ENEWS/EVENTS LISTING 29 November 2007
From
ENews/Events
Listing compiled and edited by Sean Creighton, RCDT
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
Gasworks Arts Events,
including Local History Tours 1 & 8 December
and much more
The Lightning Field play at Oval House Theatre - extra matinees
See Diary below
THE FUTURE OF RCDT
Statement – see below
WATCH THIS SPACE- date for your diary
NORTH LAMBETH EXPO SATURDAY 26 JANUARY
(see News story below)
|
|
DIARY DECEMBER 1-9 |
|
|
Saturday 1 |
Switch on of Oval Xmas Lights Oval Farmers Market. St Marks Church grounds (opposite the Oval Tube) |
Market 10am-3pm. Lights 12noon |
|
Saturday 1 |
GASWORKS LOCAL HISTORY TOUR Join local historian Sean Creighton and artist Renata Lucas for a tour of the local area, highlighting architectural histories and curiosities. The tour will start at Gasworks (no booking necessary). Meet at Gasworks, 155 Vauxhall Street. 020 7587 5202. info@gasworks.org.uk. www.gasworks.org.uk |
12 noon – 1pm |
|
Saturday 1 |
Muhammed Ali and Me by Mojisola Adebayo. "Muhammed Ali and me have one thing in common: we were Black in the Seventies." So begins this dynamic new play from Mojisola Adebayo. Set in an English children's home in the mid 1970's, this play tells the story of a girl who grows up fixated with Muhammed Ali; she speaks her life through his words, his fights become her dances and his struggles give her the courage she needs to survive. Exploring the relationship between Black girls, absent fathers, Black men and Islam, this powerful play packs more than just a punch. Seductive multi-sensory storytelling through poetry, dance, boxing, song, original Ali fight footage and a superb 1970's sound track. "I am young, I am handsome, I am pretty, I can't possibly be beat!" Oval House Theatre, Kennington Oval. Tickets: £4. Box Office 020 7582 7680 (open 3-10pm, Tuesday–Saturday). Buy tickets online www.ovalhouse.com (no fee) |
8pm |
|
Saturday 1 |
Dyeworks Saturday class: Dye workshop. Browns and greys using light blues. Vauxhall City Farm, Tyers St |
11.30am-2pm |
|
Sunday 2 |
Winter ArtFair. A chance to purchase work from Morley's talented arts and crafts community.Over 25 stalls of original handmade work: Ceramics, Prints, Jewellery, Bags,Knitted works, Hats, Cushions, Cards, Handmade paper goods and Pollock toytheatres. Mince pies and mulled wine for sale.
12-2pm - Family Art Workshopsdrawing on festive themes
(booking advised). 3pm - Art Auction Bid for original pieces from celebrated artists, including Maggi Hambling, and a replica Dumbeldore hat from Jane Smith (hat designer for the Harry Potter films), raising money for The Friends of Morley. Morley College, 61 Westminster Bridge Rd. For more information on the Morley college winter festival call 020 7450 1889 or email enquiries@morleycollege.ac.uk |
11am-4pm |
|
Saturday 1 |
THE LIGHTNING FIELD. additional matinee at Oval House Theatre. Written by David Ozanich. Directed by Jared Coseglia. BOX OFFICE 020 7582 7680 ON-LINE SALES: www.ovalhouse.com. Tickets £12 / £6 concessions, (including Refugee Community Organisations). 52-54 Kennington Oval |
4pm |
|
Tuesday 4 |
TrAIN Open Lecture Series. Gasworks resident artists Juan Linares and Erika Arzt will present their collaborative practice and work in progress at this public lecture. Chelsea College of Art & Design, Lecture Theatre (Atterbury Street Entrance). Gasworks. 020 7587 5202. info@gasworks.org.uk. www.gasworks.org.uk |
5.15-7pm |
|
Tuesday 4 |
Lambeth Community-Police Consultative Group. West Indian Ex-Servicemen’s/Ex-Servicewomen’s Association - 165/167 Clapham Manor Street. The agenda includes: Lambeth Police Presentation, Stockwell One – Investigation into the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes 22 July 05 (independent Police Complaints Commission and Met Police), and John Roberts (local resident) on his work as MPA Link Member for Lambeth. |
6.30pm |
|
Tuesday 4 |
Open Mic Nite. Morley's musicians and performers are given a public platform for sharing their work. Range includes: pop artists, soloists, ensembles, jazz, singer/songwriters, performance poetry and more. Artists wishing to perform must register first - contact Andrea Brown (andrea.brown@morleycollege.ac.uk) or 020 7450 1942. For more information on the Morley college winter festivals call 020 7450 1889 or email enquiries@morleycollege.ac.uk. Morley College, 61 Westminster Bridge Rd. |
|
|
Tuesday 4 |
JAZZ AT THE PILGRIM PUB. The Ned Flanders Quartet (House Band) followed by a Jam Session. 247 Kennington Lane. |
8.30-11pm |
|
Wednesday 5 |
ANDY FLANAGAN PERFORMS. The Bishop’s Ward Xmas Fundraiser organised by one of the local main political parties is open to all to come and join them at THE WALRUS (corner of Lower Marsh and Westminster Bridge Road). 7pm onwards. £5 on the door. Free first glass of wine on entry. At 8.15pm, Andy Flanagan (ward member) will be performing with Friends. “Imagine a mellow, acoustic, yet at times angry Irishman in the corner of a pub with his guitar and a cellist and a percussionist and you're pretty much there. Andy's thought-provoking songs have been featured on BBC1, ITV, Channel 4 and on BBC Radio. He'll be performing songs from his critically-acclaimed album, "SON", and also some new material.” |
7pm onwards |
|
Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 |
OPEN STUDIO AT GASWORKS. Through project based work, Juan Linares and Erika Arzt work collaboratively and responsively, exploring the concerns and complexities of community formation through the development of open and flexible site-specific projects. Throughout their residency at Gasworks, Linares and Arzt have been making informal appearances in and around Kennington Park Estate, conducting playful research about the uses of public space with participants of varying ages. Their views, whether visual or verbal, have been the source of inspiration for a character and monologue to be performed as a culminating event in Kennington Park Estate Community Centre. Gasworks, 155 Vauxhall Street. 020 7587 5202. info@gasworks.org.uk. www.gasworks.org.uk |
Thursday 6-8pm Friday-Sunday 12-6pm |
|
Friday 7 |
Carols Around the Tree. Morley College main Building foyer. Entrance FREE. Morley's famous Can't Sing Choir leads carol singing for all at Morley College. A fine finish to the Morley Winter Festival 2007, with mince pies and mulled wine! Morley College's Can't Sing Choir was originally formed for those lacking confidence in their singing to fulfil a desire to sing with others, learning at the same time elements of voice production. For more information on the Morley college winter festival call 020 7450 1889 or email enquiries@morleycollege.ac.uk. Morley College, 61 Westminster Bridge Rd. |
|
|
Friday 7 |
Shopping event at Museum of Garden History |
6-8pm |
|
Saturday 8 |
Dyeworks Saturday class: Spinning fine yarns from merino and alpaca. Vauxhall City Farm, Tyers St |
11.30am-2pm |
|
Saturday 8 |
GASWORKS LOCAL HISTORY TOUR. Join local historian Sean Creighton and artist Renata Lucas for a tour of the local area, highlighting architectural histories and curiosities. The tour will start at Gasworks (no booking necessary). Meet at Gasworks, 155 Vauxhall Street. 020 7587 5202. info@gasworks.org.uk. www.gasworks.org.uk. The route will be different from the tour held on 1 December. The tour is linked to the next event: |
12-1pm |
|
Saturday 8 |
GASWORKS OFFSITE PERFORMANCE. As part of their open studio, Linares and Arzt will be presenting a performance, bringing together an amalgamation of ideas on public space into one voice. The script of this multifaceted fictional character is written by Emma and Tim Leach, interpreting the interactions and conversations encountered during visits to the estate. Residents' drawings, made whilst playing the common game of consequences with Linares and Artz, inspired a costume montage to be worn during Tim Leach's performance of this collective persona. This offsite performance will be held at Kennington Park Estate Community Centre, 8 Harleyford Street, SE11 5SY with the support of Hyde Southbank Homes. Gasworks. 020 7587 5202. info@gasworks.org.uk. www.gasworks.org.uk |
1.30-2.30PM |
|
Saturday 8 |
Dende Collective. Macunaima. Think of a South American Lewis Carroll on acid narrating the adventures of a hero without morals! This epic saga follows the journey of Macunaima, a native Brazilian, from the Amazon to São Paulo in search of his lost magical amulet, now in possession of a giant Peruvian cannibal entrepreneur, meeting along the way all kind of mythical creatures. Written in the '20s, Macunaima is a hallmark in Brazilian literature. Experimenting with puppetry, digital animation and different ways of bringing this book to the London stage, Dende will present what they have discovered so far. Oval House Theatre, Kennington Oval. Tickets: £4. Box Office 020 7582 7680 (open 3-10pm, Tuesday–Saturday). Buy tickets online www.ovalhouse.com (no fee). |
8pm |
|
Sunday 9 |
Roots & Shoots Christmas Event. Details in each issue |
|
NEWS
NORTH LAMBETH EXPO SATURDAY 26 JANUARY. Were you wondering about what was happening with the idea of the Civic Assembly for North Lambeth, as the replacement for the Area Committee. It appears that the name Civic Assembly has been jettisoned in favour of Expo. The North Lambeth Expo will be held on Saturday 26 January. According to an email that has found its way into the public domain the Expo will be open to all residents and is ‘designed to increase opportunities for people to ask questions and find out more information about a wide range of services, not just the council but other groups & organisations in the area.’ It will provide ‘the community with opportunities for: networking, information sharing and dissemination, engagement with statutory, private and voluntary and community providers, and asking questions of those providing services within the area.’ The event will include: A free lunch; children's play activities and children's entertainment; a Q&A session; and a 'market place' of exhibitions and demonstrations from a range of local service providers, not just the council, including the police, and health alongside community partnerships, groups, organisations and businesses. Demonstrations such as health checks, volunteering opportunities, cultural displays and theatre 'skits' will provide visual and participation value for all attendees. Visitors can pick up lots of local information, talk to people running their local services to get the low-down on everything they do and plans they have ahead. The Question Time session will enable ‘the community to ask managers and decision-makers questions about their services and future plans. Panel members will include with representation from the PCT, Police, LBL, Youth Mayor, Fire Brigade and LVAC. There will be a Vox Pop/video survey to gain the views of attendees. Further details about the venue, times, and booking stalls etc, will be circulated widely.
Comment. While it would appear that this event has been planned without much consultation with local groups without whom the Civic Assembly will not work, it could provide a fantastic opportunity for groups to get details about themselves across to a wide range of local residents they are not normally in contact with. How many local residents, not involved in groups, will be attracted to come will depend very much on the final detail of activities on offer, whether it is publicised through a flier distributed house to house, and perhaps whether a vehicle with a loud speaker drives round the area in the morning to remind everyone that the Expo is taking place. The flier will need to give very clear advice about the public transport available from different parts of North Lambeth. Whether all groups wish to have a table can be met will depend on the amount of space available at the venue; so groups may have to think of other ways to engage with people at the Expo, e.g. having several members there with their own leaflets talking to people as everyone takes part in the activities.
ADVANCED STREET DANCE CLASSES. OVAL HOUSE YOUTH ARTS RECEIVES AWARD FROM JACK PETCHEY FOUNDATION. Young people aged between 16-25yrs old from Lambeth and beyond can now further their artistic careers professionally as part of the Oval House Theatre Youth Arts programme. Thanks to a £5000 project grant from the Jack Petchey Foundation, Oval House Youth Arts is expanding its existing repertoire of activities for young people to include Advanced Street Dance classes so that participants can continue to nurture their skills in a professional context at affordable prices. The grant will help to fund a programme of structured weekly workshops where young people can work with professional choreographers and explore a number of dance styles including ballet, modern and urban. Young people will also be encouraged to choreograph their own pieces and perform them at Oval House Theatre thus providing them with valuable experiences in professional production, choreography and performance. The main purpose of the project is to provide students with the next step in their artistic development. It is hoped that this project that will benefit not only the young people themselves but also the wider community; a core value set out by the Jack Petchey Foundation. Head of Youth Arts Nicholai La Barrie is keen to “bridge the gap between dance as a hobby and dance as a profession” by introducing these new classes. He says that “students are progressing quickly through the available classes and being forced to move onto other arts organisations if they wish to develop their talents. Sadly for many young people who are unable to afford pricier classes or the travel costs involved, their experience at Oval House marks the end of their arts based training.” Jane Evans, Grants Officer for London South East for the Jack Petchey Foundation said “Jack started the Foundation to help young people take advantage of opportunities. This scheme, at the grass routes, has our support because it enables young people in South London to take part in street dance, and exciting and creative venture”. At present Oval House Theatre’s Youth Arts Department uses creative, participatory learning structures to engage students. Weekly classes are held for young people to provide a safe space to explore and celebrate creativity. Because of its positioning in Lambeth, an area currently suffering with extreme depravation and unemployment, Oval House Youth Arts reaches young people most in need of support and inspiration. Existing classes include Street Dance, Drama and Singing and are aimed at young people aged between 11-19 years old. It is hoped that this programme will respond to the needs of disadvantaged local teenagers from deprived estates, and give them an opportunity to develop their artistic and leadership skills in a professional arts venue. The involvement of the young people in the delivery of Street Dance will ensure that the project has a significant and lasting impact on young people in South London—one of Oval House Theatre’s long standing goals. Oval House Theatre, 52-54 Kennington Oval. Oval House Youth Arts classes will resume in January 08. Term dates are 14th Jan – 5th April. Please see www.ovalhouse.com for further details. Classes are £2 per session
YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL. Oval House Theatre will be hosting a youth arts festival in the new year including a 3 week performance of The Bald Soprano, written by Eugene Ionesco & performed by Oval House Youth Theatre. Please see www.ovalhouse.com for full theatre schedule.
THE FUTURE OF RCDT
A Statement by the Board of Trustees
The Trustees of Riverside Community Development Trust are looking at the option of winding up in the spring of 2008 because of on-going core funding problems. This was agreed at our recent Annual General Meeting.
We will only continue only if we can solve our funding problem. We are not optimistic given the drying up of funding for community development work, the general reduction in, and increased competition for, funding, the emphasis on funding projects, and the new emphasis on service contracts.
RCDT was established in 2002 during the Lambeth Riverside Single Regeneration Budget project. Its aim was to contribute to social and economic regeneration after that project ended on 31 March 2004.
RCDT has contributed positively in a number of ways in the Kennington & Vauxhall area.
· The funding of community and voluntary groups and schools from a Community Chest during the last two years of the SRB period
· The provision of IT and other skills training at Riverside IT on Lambeth Walk until lack of continuing funding led to its closure on 30 September this year
· The support to joint working between a number of local groups
· The co-ordination of the Lambeth Riverside Festival in July 2005 and 2006
· The provision of small grants to projects, activities and publications
· The ENews/Events listing informing local people, especially those active in local groups, of what is going on in the area
Because of the funding problems we can no longer carry out this kind of work.
Over the next 5 months RCDT will concentrate on:
· producing the ENews/Events listing
· completing past project loose ends
· seeing if the initiative to keep the local Health & Fitness Forum can be taken on by another group
· ensuring that Leftbank Artists network can keep itself sustainable
· checking whether people want the Local History Forum to continue
· helping the Somali Supplementary Class to become self-supporting
The amount of detailed time that can be devoted will be restricted and will be dependent on how long the worker can sustain part-time working for RCDT and part-time freelancing. If he has to leave before the wind-up, then RCDT will have to reconsider how to further reduce what it can do.
RCDT is supported by London Development Agency, and part-funded by Pedlar’s Acre Trust (Lambeth Council)