Dulwich Festival, 12-21st May, is celebrating 30 years of community-focused, arts-based fun! Presenting over 60 carefully curated ticketed events in literature, theatre, comedy, art, history and music, the festival also hosts Artist Open House, multiple fairs, open days, markets and competitions in film, fiction and art. Providing a platform for creatives of all ages to showcase their talents and share their knowledge, this year’s line-up offers the abundantly creative London community a comprehensive range of options, many of which are free and family friendly!
Adam Kay, hilarious and best-selling author of This is Going to Hurt will headline Literature, with a talk on his follow-up book, Undoctored, whilst local and Costa Prize-winning novelist Caleb Azumah Nelson will talk about his new book, Small Worlds, exploring the intimate relationship between father and son. Demonstrating delicious one-pot meals, Rukmini Iyer, author of the Roasting Tin series will tantalise tastebuds with tips from her most personal book to date, India Express. Bellies will also be full of laughter at the pub-based Comedy Club, featuring internet sensation Kieran Hodgson, multi-nominated and award winning Sikisa and globally acclaimed comedy double act Max & Ivan. For the musically minded, authentic soul jazz heavyweights The Filthy Six and legendary jazz tenor Jean Toussaint will head the Festival Jazz Club at the EDT on Lordship Lane, whilst an all-female line up of singer-songwriters will delight audiences with country, folk and blues in Herne Hill, Under the Tree. Britain’s biggest boyband, The London Gay Men’s Choir will educate, inspire and entertain, whilst acclaimed classical duo, Sara Trickey and Daniel Tong, will offer a more intimate concert at Dulwich Picture Gallery. To ensure no one feels left out, everyone is invited to sing their hearts out at workshops at the Christ’s Chapel or with the Dulwich Choral Society at St Barnabas Church.
If the great outdoors is your preference, there are wildlife walks with the London Wildlife Trust, Street Art Walks across SE21, SE22 and SE23 and guided Georgian architecture walks, too. Fascinating local historians will also lead tours around Dulwich to highlight social radicals including Frida Knight, Alison Neilans, Alice Harris and Alice Vickery. For families, there are fairs a-plenty at Goose Green, Dulwich Park and West Dulwich, each hosting fun-filled days packed with stalls, rides, games, performers, food and drink. Young people and kids will love the huge range of accessible activities, offered in conjunction with Kingswood Arts! Expect film screenings, Parade in a Day, Family Fiesta and a Carnival Day! If none of this strikes a chord, perhaps a ceilidh, markets, a bike-powered rendition of Romeo & Juliet, sustainability talks, organ playing, a Sinfonietta concert, a nature play teddy-bear picnic and competitions in art, film and fiction will! Full listings and tickets can be found and purchased on the Dulwich Festival website now – www.dulwichfestival.co.uk.
Of course, Artist Open House (AOH) is a highlight of the festival, providing a space for 800+ artists to share their talents. Drawing a significant connection between artist and community, AOH presents a unique opportunity to purchase locally produced and affordable art, across multiple medias. This year, there have been unprecedented entries from artists spanning SE5, SE15, SE21, SE22, SE24, SE23, SE26 and SE27. Figurative sculptor Catherine McLeod, has been selected as the cover artist for the Festival Catalogue and Guide this year. Capturing the human form, her work celebrates the journey and curiosity that life presents – a perfect representation of Artist Open House 2023! Don’t miss portrait artist Sam Barnett, recently commissioned by the BBC and Children in Need to produce a portrait of King Charles for the Coronation, and sculptor Sarah Tombs, who has produced eleven sculptures for hospitals across the country, including Hammersmith. Free catalogues for AOH will be available in independent shops, cafes and venues across South London by mid-April, but visitors can also plan their day and route by visiting the website.