Bloomsbury Festival is back. The ten-day-long annual event features a collection of diverse performances and interactive science and art exhibitions. Just like the beauty and cultural heritage of the area: Coram’s Fields, Brunswick Square and The British Library, the festival, which blossomed in the central London boroughs of WC1 in 2006, holds the same ever-growing and timeless charm in art, music and theatre this year, as always.
The Festival has a “world-class cultural line up with a distinct local twist” with ten days of fascinating exhibitions, street parties, dances and more and kicked off on Friday the 13th of October. Nevertheless, the superstitious day “long associated with ill fortune” brought no bad luck to the cobbled streets of Store Street where the celebrations began, with the street thriving with global street food, flower markets and outdoor pop-up performances.
This year the theme is “Grow” and can be explored as artists wish; a blooming tree of movement, an expansion of ideas, this fascinating, melting pot of culture is set to excite the London tourists and locals alike. There will be a discovery Hub which will hold “interactive science and creative exhibitions offering the latest innovations.” Aimed at schools, families and the general public, the creative events will run for three days from Thursday the 19th until Saturday the 21st of October. This will be at local universities and institutions such as UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital and all are free events – just turn up!
More information here: https://bloomsburyfestival.org.uk/events/discovery-hub-grow/
The streets of London will be bursting with exciting new projects and events. Some of which require advance booking.
What’s happening:
‘New Wave Lunchtime Concert: Michelle Hromin’s Sonic Exploration’
The Music Room49, Great Ormond St, WC1N 3HZ
Thursday 19th October 2023 at 1pm
Free – No booking required https://list.co.uk/whats-on/90351/new-wave-lunchtime-concert-michelle-hromins-sonic-exploration
Croatian-American Musician Michelle Hromin will be playing works by Steve Reich, Liza Lim, Unsuk Chin, Paquito d’Rivera, as well as her own compositions, redefining the sonic possibilities of solo clarinet playing. There will be aspects of electronics and delay pedals within her acoustic clarinet performance. This event is part of the “New Wave’” Bloomsbury Programme for emerging talent.
‘Giant Folk at London Welsh Centre’, WC1X 8UE
Thursday 19th October at 8pm
Tickets available on the door and online – https://londonwelsh.org/events/19-october-giant-folk/
“Giant Folk is an alternative folk-jazz group playing mysterious folk songs, hidden and understated jazz standards and their esoteric, original compositions which are experimental and magical in nature.” The band’s connection with music and nature brings them together to create a distinct, textural soundscape, playing folk-inspired compositions whilst still holding its roots firmly in modern jazz.
Para-phrase: Poetry and Music Evening
Friday 20th October at 7pm
Tickets available online : https://pushkinhouse.beaconforms.com/form/9962864f?gaid=902206875.1697637344
Located at Pushkin House, this imaginative evening which expires the synergy of “sound art, live art and poetry” transcends borders and “extends as an invitation to dialogue, introspection, and mutual listening.” The session will be run by three diasporic artists: Li Yilei, Luciano Maggiore and Nisha Ramayya.
Intertwine art and sculpture in to your week: ‘Entwine – The Avocado Sculpture’ by contemporary art duo Ghost and John is an exhibition being held at Holborn Library. On Saturday the contemporary art duo invite audiences to attend the closing event with mini performances, before they bring their plants home! More information here: https://www.artrabbit.com/events/entwine-the-avocado-sculptures-2023
Bloomsbury Festival runs from the 13th until the 22nd of October.
