This year’s programme is bursting with beautiful music, enlightening literary and theatre events, fantastic art in the Artists’ Open House and a whole array of wonderful walks and fairs. The Food Trail will highlight just some of the excellent food producers and retailers we are fortunate to have in our community.This year sees the celebration of 400 years since the founding of Christ’s Chapel, Dulwich Village; do take the opportunities in the Festival to visit the building, see artefacts associated with its development and to hear of its place in local and national history.Dulwich Festival is produced by the community for everyone’s enjoyment; relax and enjoy reading about the treasures in store!
Weekend Highlights
Friday 6 May – Shakespeare, Edward Alleyn and the world of early modern theatre
7.30pm, Old Library, Dulwich College. The world of Shakespeare seems strangely familiar yet what do we know of his contemporary and fellow thespian Edward Alleyn, a highly successful actor-entrepreneur who co-owned at least two theatres and who was lauded as one of the greatest actors of his time? Why do we also not recognise the tremendous influence of his business partner and father-in-law Philip Henslowe, who along with the Burbages helped create the English theatre profession that produced not only Shakespeare but Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson and Thomas Middleton? In fact, most of what modern scholars know about the early modern English theatre comes from the study of the Henslowe and Alleyn papers at Dulwich College.Mrs Calista Lucy, Keeper of the Archive, Dulwich College, will join Professor Grace Ioppolo FSA of the University of Reading in conversation as they explore what is known of the man who created the Dulwich we see today. Professor Ioppolo is Director and Founder of The Henslowe-Alleyn Digitisation Project which has made the single largest manuscript collection, held in the Archive at Dulwich College, on early modern English theatre production and performance available to all. Tickets (include refreshment): £10, concession £8, under 18s £6
Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 May – Artists’ Open House
11am – 6pm. Over 200 artists throw open the doors of their homes and studios to show their work in an intimate setting. Work on display ranges from paintings, photographs, sculpture and ceramics to jewellery and furniture. Find details and maps in the Artists’ Open House booklet, available free in local shops, libraries, bars and cafés.
Saturday 7 May – Does tax avoidance only hit rich countries?
10.30am for 11am – 12.30pm. Following last year’s packed meeting on TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) we now focus on the threat to developing countries from multi-nationals’ tax dodging practices. St Barnabas Church, Calton Avenue. Free event.
Saturday 7 May – Festival Bites
Begin your gastronomic adventure with a stroll along Lordship Lane taking in the foodie highlights and whet your appetite with an on-the-go tasting menu consisting of delicious bites from some of East Dulwich’s best-loved venues.
Saturday 7 May – Scandinavian Soundaround with Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer
11am & 2pm. To coincide with the Nikolai Hastrup exhibition at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, learn some Scandinavian tunes from well known folk artists Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer. Get to grips with the polska rhythm, learn a långdans and even get your fingers around a Schottis. Suitable for any instrument on which a scale may be played. Ability to read music not required.
Vicki & Jonny are both authors for Schott Music Publishing with their Scandinavian Tune Books. Vicki is half Swedish, a Swedish speaker and graduated from the Royal College of Music on double bass, she is a full time folk musician specialising in nyckelharpa and Swedish bagpipes. Vicki was awarded the prestigious Brons Zornmärke in 2015. Jonny performs on accordion, guitar, bouzouki and holds the Diplom from the Riksspelman jury for the playing of the Swedish cow horn.
Presented jointly by: Dulwich Picture Gallery and Dulwich Festival. Linbury Room, Dulwich Picture Gallery. Tickets: £12, under 18s £8.
Sunday 8 May – Dulwich Festival Fair
11am – 4pm. Back for the 11th year running, the Festival Fair on Goose Green is THE event in East Dulwich. The Fair is a wonderful day out for all the family; from bouncy castles to the EDT beer tent, handmade children’s t-shirts to homemade cakes, designer jewellery to local photography, the Festival Fair will bring together the essence of SE22. Nibble delicious food from our ever-growing food stalls as you listen to the music on the The Goose is Out! Stage and enjoy a drink from the EDT beer tent as your children have their faces painted for free! Not forgetting our wonderful donkey rides.
Sunday 8 May – Walking with Wates
2pm & 4pm. MEETING POINT: THE SOUTHBOUND NO 3 BUS STOP AT THE END OF SOUTH CROXTED ROAD OPPOSITE THE PAXTON GREEN SURGERY
Mid-century Modern Wates houses are synonymous with Dulwich and Upper Norwood. 1960s housing expert Ian McInnes will lead an informative walk through the southern end of Alleyn Park, Baird Gardens and Giles Coppice through Dulwich Wood Park. Wates built over 2000 houses in the area in less than 10 years in a variety of styles. Control of the car, carefully designed landscaping and the introduction of public art were important constituents of architect Austin Vernon & Partners layouts. The estates are in excellent condition, and remain some of the best of the period.
Sunday 8 May – Dance Extravaganza Class
6pm. First-rate tuition from Paul Burbedge will give confidence to the beginner and returning dancer alike with tuition in the Cha Cha Cha and the Social Foxtrot. Brush up your skills ahead of the evening with Nedwardo and The Rumbanauts. Grafton Dance School, 7 Village Way, Dulwich SE21 7AW. Tickets: £7.
Full details of all Dulwich Festival events can be found on their website dulwichfestival.co.uk/festival-events/