Islington calls on its ‘breakers, graffers, and rappers’ to celebrate Word 2017
Islington is calling on its young aspiring dancers, lyricists, and artists to help celebrate reading, writing, and freedom of expression, as part of Word Festival 2017.
This year’s festival includes a free two-day workshop (1-2 June) offering musical mentors to young poets, rappers, and lyricists, aged 13 to 18, the chance to write songs to motivate their community and transform these words into a spectacular graffiti mural – with the help of Breakin’ Convention & Lyrix Organix.
The popular Platform Youth will host a listening party of Sound Minds Vol 1 – an album, written, produced, and performed by young people – on 15 June.
Young dance enthusiasts have the opportunity to work with the Candoco Dance Company to create and practise dance routines inspired by words and letter-reading, to create a one-off dance show to be performed at the end of June.
House of Illustration welcomes elder participants to Memory Lane Games, an exciting new project to design, make, and play a unique card game.
Working with games designers and illustration experts, this creative and sociable project will see the final product professionally produced and distributed to care homes in Islington and launched at Cubitt’s Summer Ball on 15 June.
Those interested in football can enjoy a behind the scenes tour of the fantastic Emirates Stadium and follow in the footsteps of Nick Hornby, sharing their stories and experiences of being a fan of the beautiful game in Grandads, Dads and Lads – a fun filled workshop for all generations.
Now in its sixth consecutive year, ‘Word 2017’ is a month-long celebration of the power of words to transform people’s lives.
A packed programme of performances, workshops, and events – put on in partnership with organisations such as Cardboard Citizens – is designed to amplify the voices of people less often heard in today’s society.
Finsbury Library is to be transformed into a magical landscape, where children’s stories will be translated through music, dance, and acrobatics as part of ‘Topsy Turvy’ – a special, two-day event, created by the makers of the award-winning family show, Bedtime Stories.
For the next 30 days residents from across the borough will see unusual, thought-provoking words ‘appear’ in Islington’s libraries, schools, and streets, as well as its pubs, playgrounds, and even the Emirates Stadium.
Suzanne Lee of All Change, creative producer of Word 2017, said: “The variety and quality of arts organisations, projects and events this year is exceptional.
“Word2017 offers local people of all ages opportunities to work with amazing artists, enjoy unique experiences, and discover lots of new ways to engage with words to benefit their wellbeing.”
Michelle Gannon, Islington Council’s head of library and heritage services, said: “We’re very proud to again present such a fantastic programme of events and activities.
“From poetry to storytelling, drama to art, there really is something for everyone at this year’s Word Festival.”
For more information or for details of all the festivals projects, sessions, and events, visit: www.wordfestivalislington.co.uk and view the brochure or pick up your copy in any one of Islington’s ten libraries.
Notes to editors
Word Festival is a partnership project delivered by:
- Islington Council's Library and Heritage Services - www.islington.gov.uk/libraries
- Islington Council's Arts Service - www.islington.gov.uk/arts
- All Change - www.allchangearts.org
- Free Word Centre - www.freewordcentre.com
Contact information
If you are a member of the public with a general question about the council please view the contact information on our website or call 020 7527 2000.