As the jingling bells hail teh
approach of Christmas, the Festival office is preparing itself for the dawn of a new
Festival Director who will take up the reins from Kay Trainor. And, in keeping with this
time of change, this will be my last piece for the N16 magazine as I am moving on to
pastures new to start my own marketing business. Sorry to those of you who rush out onto
Church Street every three months to learn what's new in the exciting world of the Stoke
Newington Festival, but I'm sure my replacement will be just as gripping!
The next week is your last chance to play The Big Grid Game, the Festival's fundraising
lucky dip with great prizes donated by local businesses and artists. Visit the website ( www.stokenewiningtonfestival.co.uk
) to find out what squares are still available for your chance to walk away with a
super prize. Grid square numbers will be matched to prizes at the Big Unveiling Party on
14 December, to which all players will be invited, so you must make sure you buy your
square, a bargain at only £25, before that date. You are guaranteed to win an amazing
prize, and you help secure the Festival's future by playing. Perfect for sorting out the
odd Christmas present.
The Festival programme for 2002 is taking shape, with a focus this year on the Street
Festival scheduled for 16 June. We've been assured that it won't rain at all in June 2002,
so look out for an even bigger and better main stage, a British Hip Hop stage, Bloomsday
celebrations, children's zone and masses of wonderful art. Programme Producer Fiona Fieber
can be contacted any time at the off ice for information.
One of the highlights of the Festival is sure to be our major commission. 'Sticks', which
will hopefully take place in Clissold Park, is a completely insane piece of artwork from
live artist Tom Geoghegan, last seen hanging by his fingertips from the top of a wall in
Church Street for seven days. 'Sticks' will start the morning of the Street Festival and
run through to the next weekend, which will be the return of the Children's Festival
Village, featuring Camp Out 2002 and many fun events for children and families. The Comedy
Cabaret is set for a stonking revival and, of course, expect the fabulous Opera Cabaret.
Its time again for the Festival to start the process of selecting the commissions for the
next festival, so for all emerging and established artists out there, £1500 Commission
Application Packs will be available f rom 8 January by phone on 020 8356 6410 or by
visiting the Festival's website. We are also looking for artists who would like to get
involved on a non-commission basis. If you have a fab idea for the Street Festival, or you
have something you would like to present at the Festival Village, please get in touch with
us.
Finally, we always need people to volunteer at the Festival, so if you can spare any time
and would like to get involved please drop us a line.
All that remains for me to do is wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year
from everyone at the Stoke Newington Festival. Enjoy!
email lnfo@stokenewingtonfestival.co.uk
web www.stokenewingtonfestival.co.uk
phone 020 8356 6410
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