East London to host free music and arts festival:
East London is ready to jumpstart the capital’s summer of music festivals with Vortex Outdoors, a free day-long music and art event which will take place in Dalston’s Gillett Square on Sunday 9th May.
Vortex Outdoors, produced by The Vortex jazz club, BrazenBunch and Hackney Cooperative Developments, will feature high-quality dynamic performances from the music genres of jazz, reggae, soul, funk, folk and hip-hop.
Curated by BrazenBunch, artists on the day include Don-e (currently working with Grace Jones), Zarif (support artist for Beyonce’s UK tour), Jamie Woon, HKB FiNN, Elisabeth Troy, Aruba Red, Kevin Mark Trail, Me’sha Bryan, Sharlene Hector (vocalist with Basement Jaxx), Last Mango in Paris, The Lifeforce Band and students from the surrounding area, including BSix, a 6th form college in Hackney. The festival after-party in The Vortex jazz club features DJ sets from Dusty Lungs (Urban Nerds), Aj Kwame (Afri-kokoa) and Koichi Sakai (Ghetto Lounge).
In an ever-changing Dalston – now dubbed the ‘creative capital of London’ – festival organisers are keen to reflect and support the area and its’ rich and vibrant culture and heritage. Many of the performers, DJ’s and musicians are local to what is without doubt, the most exciting and hottest part of London at the moment.
Gillett Square is already synonymous with creative talents, promoting social cohesion and a place that invites cultural exchange and education; principles that organisers of Vortex Outdoors have embedded into their event. They are keen to ensure that the event’s free access attracts communities from across London as well as the surrounding area of Hackney.
Speaking about the event, festival organiser Clemmie Franks commented: “Vortex Outdoors is a great day out for anyone who enjoys listening to quality live music and being part of a positive community event. We encourage people from all walks of life and from different parts of London to help to support our ethos of creating sustainable and cohesive communities.”
Vortex Outdoors is also working with the Green Sunday’s initiative, part of Arcola energy, to promote healthy living and united and sustainable communities. Other activities during the festival, contributed by local organisations and individuals, include the chance to participate in creating a ‘Junk Art’ sculpture with Pangolin’s Ark, free bike maintenance and advice with Push Cycles and Moustachio’s Bikes, and the opportunity to watch artist Gina Southgate recording the event through a live art installation.
Notes to Editors:
Vortex Outdoors live music starts at 1pm and ends at 7pm. The event’s full address is Gillett Square, Dalston, London N16 8JH.
The after-party is an indoor event at The Vortex jazz club, located at 11 Gillette Square, starting at 8.30pm and concluding at 1am.
Sustainability and additional creative activity is contributed and run by local organisations; Pangolin’s Ark, Push Cycles and Moustachio’s Bikes, Gina Southgate.
The Vortex is a world-renowned jazz club in Dalston established over 20 years. It is a beacon for jazz, folk, world and contemporary music in the capital. The Vortex Jazz Foundation strives to help secure the future of live jazz in north and east London, and has developed a programme of jazz education for young people.
http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk
BrazenBunch is a non-profit arts collective providing events and projects that benefit local and global communities. In particular, BrazenBunch works with young people and those considered marginalised, vulnerable or at a disadvantage. BrazenBunch has successfully produced projects in the UK, Caribbean and Africa. BrazenBunch is curator of Vortex Outdoors.
http://www.brazenbunch.com
Hackney Cooperative Developments (HCD) is a Community Interest Company that has been creating opportunities for inclusive local economic development since 1982. HCD’s Gillett Square project was initiated in 2006 to stimulate and promote the use of Dalston’s public space for cultural activities that relate to local communities.
http://www.gillettsquare.org.uk
The Arts Council England, PRS Foundation, West Hackney Parochial Charity and Hackney Council support Vortex Outdoors.
