Talk of the town – lumiere london

Thornton Heath is to host a free open-air evening of live music, dance performances and spoken word, alongside truly stunning world-class visual light installations

Thornton Heath is famous as the place which has launched the careers of huge stars like award-winning grime artist Stormzy, who turned his experiences growing up in area into song lyrics which are heard around the world.

This event – which is the area’s first ever performance and creative arts festival – will feature local up and coming artists like soul singer Dede Davi, who worked with Depeche Mode’s Alan Wilder on her last song, as well as established acts like Stush, one of the pioneers of UK underground music.

Jazz singer Mitra Djalili, who is recently back from recording an album in LA, will be doing a set and so too will the West End dance star of Thriller – Alex Ko who has recently launched his singing career.

In addition to the wealth of live music on stage, other performing arts are also represented. Artists from South London collective Well Versed Ink will be delivering powerful poetry and spoken word and students from two local dance schools will be setting the stage alight with their performances.

The backdrop to this incredible evening will be the Thornton Heath Light Festival – part of Croydon’s bid to become the 2019 borough of culture.

The light installations, life-size creations featuring wildlife and flowers, are part of Lumiere London and some of the installations which will be in Central London for Lumiere (January 18 to 21) will then be transported to illuminate Trumble Gardens on Brigstock Road providing a must-see spectacle.