“Everyone has a story. Experience your own and others in the Kaleidoscope Festival.”

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A festival of events, some on-line, some pop-up, with a final Africa Day fete to celebrate and open up people’s culture was devised, exploring people’s journeys using arts, crafts, dance, music, food and film.

 

Due to Covid restrictions during 2021, several of the events were successfully taken online as community workshops, involving youths at 2 Inspire, Southwark Pensioners and several general community sessions.  As restrictions lifted, workshops created art and artefacts as attendees reflected on the journeys.   

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• Storytelling is a wonderful art.  Drama sessions, crafted by the Storyteller, Helen MacDonald, and drama coaches at 2 Inspire, culminated in a Journeys piece performed live at Africa Day.

• Betty Efemini, a talented local resident, proved that lots of fun could be had whilst creating jewellery and tote bags, as attendees nattered about their life’s journey.

• A world music sharing event held locally at Louie Louie 

• Art in the Park held on-line art sessions, examining works of artists who have travelled continents to experience different cultures and fauna, which were then recreated by the on-line artists attending the session.

• Irie Dance and Art in the Park also held joint dance/art sessions based on the theme of journeys.  As the African dancer performed, the Artistic Director explained the meaning behind the dance moves and attendees drew the dancer in a variety of held poses.

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The Festival culminated in Africa Day, held in September 2021 at St. Peter’s Church and Monkey Park.   This celebratory day showcased the skills and talents which people have brought on their journeys to Walworth, through storytelling from local residents, music, acrobats, dancers, drummers, art workshops and food from Africa and the Caribbean.

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With stalls selling a variety of locally produced goods and information stalls for community help, the day spiced up Walworth as it throbbed to an African Beat - and even the weather joined in, as it all took place under a cloudless blue sky.

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