Sunday 22 July 2012

Upcoming events: Deptford and surrounds

With a certain major sporting event imminent, and the impact being felt across the capital, there's also a wealth of other things happening as everyone ramps up the local events. Don't expect to have any time to watch the sporting highlights with all this going on!

Aside from the arrival of the torch at 7.30am tomorrow morning (don't expect me there, I've seen it already elsewhere and that was under duress!) here's a flavour of what south east London has to offer in the coming weeks and months.

28/29 July and 4/5 August: Faircharm Fair


Local artists and designer makers showcase their work at Faircharm Studios Deptford. The fair will coincide with the open studios on Creekside and Deptford X contemporary art festival 2012. 
The fair is open to the public from 11am-6pm. More info here.

27 July - 12 August: Deptford X

Deptford X chair Paul Marks says: "We have been working with our appointed lead artist-curators, Hew Locke and Indra Khanna, to produce a high-quality festival of contemporary visual art, and we are pleased to welcome Henna Nadeem, Dzine, Doug Jones and The Hidden Noise to Deptford X 2012.
"Deptford X has been commissioned the London Borough of Lewisham to produce three pieces of work: David Mach’s ‘Hell Bent’ sculpture will be displayed on Blackheath; Lewisham Council’s refuse trucks will be decorated with new work that has been created by students led by Bridget Lycett-Smith; and a sculpture from the Museum of Melancholy inspired by Olympic podiums will be exhibited in the Creekside CafĂ©.
"This year the festival will include over 50 fringe projects, plus gallery exhibitions, open studios and numerous tours, events and performances, making Deptford X 2012 a truly inspiring programme."

Lots more info on the website, as well as a downloadable programme. If you want a printed copy, you can buy one from Arch Materials shop for £1.

27 July - 11 August: Gallery Closed Studio Open 

This is a new Utrophia/Extra Bones project as part of Deptford X and will take place at the Utrophia project space.

From the organisers:
"Gallery Closed Studio Open is a programme of diverse participatory art projects, workshops, music making, live performances, screenings and talks, almost all of which are free. Our aim is to create something which all of Deptford will feel they can get involved in, and we think we have something to suit almost every taste!"

All the listings, as well as information on how to sign up for projects, can be found here.

The line-up also has plenty for all ages and the organisers have picked out a selection here which are particularly suitable for families and children


28 July, 4/11 Aug: Deptford X walking and cycling tours

Walking tours:
28th July Part 1: Studio & main programme tour 14:00 - 16:00
4th August Part 2: Studios & fringe 14:00 - 16:00
11th August with special guests: curators of Deptford X Hew Locke and Indra Khanna 14:00 - 16:00

Led by South London Art Map’s tour guides, all of whom are artists and curators practising in South London, these tours will give you the behind the scenes look at Deptford’s studios, galleries and most importantly the Deptford X fringe and main programmes.

All tours are pay what you like and begin at Bearspace Gallery, 152 Deptford High St, SE8 3PQ

Cycling tours:

29th July Part 1
4th August Part 2
12th August Part 3

Join Artouride (London's only art & design cycle tour company) in collaboration with SLAM on a visual cycle journey around the DeptfordX 2012 festival. Your guide will show you some of the highlights of the festival, including studios, exhibitions and installations. During these leisurely rides we will stop and view and discuss work on display, giving you ample opportunity to experience many aspects of the festival. We will also discover the local area's historical and contemporary landmarks.

All tours are from 14:00  - 17:00 and meet at The Deptford Project, 121-123 Deptford High Street, SE8 4NS

Tours are £15pp (Includes use of Artourides Brompton bike) and there are 10 places available @ £10 if you bring your own bike.

Booking info here.

5 August: New Cross Learning big summer booksale


A big summer book sale will be held at New Cross Learning, the community-run learning space and library in New Cross Gate on Sunday 5 August.

The event will run from 2pm-5pm, with second-hand books at (almost) pre-war prices, with paperbacks from 20p and hardbacks from £1. There will also be tea, coffee and home-made cakes for sale.

It’ll be a great opportunity to get some holiday reading and take a break from the Olympics.  We have a superb stock of donated books for all tastes.

"It may have been a horrible summer, and we may not get as many medals as we were expecting,", said Chair of New Cross Learning Gill Hart, "but a good book never lets you down".

All of the proceeds will go towards keeping New Cross Learning, its library and other learning activities, open.
http://www.newcrosslearning.org/

Various dates in July and August: Mystery walks and magical picnics

There will be six mystery walks and picnics on Fridays this summer from 27th July, leaving from New Cross Learning for an unknown destination!

The walks may be indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather, and are free (and sponsored by the NHS). People of all ages, and families, are welcome.

The walks will start at 11am and finish at 2pm, and there will be a magical healthy picnic half way through. They will offer the chance to get out, do something new and get (gently) fit while having fun, showing that you don't have to be an Olympic athlete to stay healthy.

The destinations will include some local beauty spots and London museums.

The walks and picnics will be on a first come, first served basis, and the dates are 27 July, and 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 August.

Various dates: family events and low-tide walks at the Creekside Centre

A whole host of family fun days and low-tide walks are being held at the Creekside Centre this summer - for full details see the posters below or visit the website


As well as the low-tide walks noted on the poster below,  extra walks are being held during the Olympic period on 29 July at 2pm, 2 Aug at 7pm, 7 Aug at 11am, 10 Aug at 1.30pm and 30 Aug at 7pm.


28 July: Blurt & Satyre gig on board the MS Stubnitz

Not strictly in Deptford, but featuring some of our home-grown musical talent. This floating music venue from the former East Germany is currently moored in the Royal Docks on the other side of the river. Worth a look if you get the chance - see the Guardian's article here.

3 comments:

EleanorCS said...

Thanks Dame, you are brill at keeping us updated!

Penny said...

I would love to get involved in and enjoy Deptford X, just as I would love to get involved in the many things that happen in and around Deptford...however like many things advertised around here they are during the day on a weekday - when I am at work, and im assuming a lot of other people are also at work.

It never ceases to amaze me how many wonderful things that go on around here are not accessible by residents that work a 9-5 week.

Deptford Dame said...

@penny many of the events listed here are on at the weekend (and a lot of the Deptford X events, while open during the week, are also open at the weekends). I work a 9-5 week but don't find it a problem.