Two-day celebration this weekend to launch Brixton’s own summer festival

Life may not be a beach in Brixton.
But it does at least have a Wave.
A three-day festival to celebrate the area’s contribution to the world of culture is set to take place next summer. And it will have an official launch this weekend, with art, music and
performance.
Big Narstie, Yungen and Sneakbo have broken into the mainstream recently, but other influential artists and writers regarded Brixton as their home: Linton Kwesi Johnson, David Bowie, Havelock Ellis, John Major, CLR James, Ken Livingstone, Danny Williams, the Clash, Luol Deng, Clive Dunn, Max Wall, Freddie ‘Parrot-Face’ Davis, La Roux, Basement Jaxx and Alabama 3.
So many great events, movements, and initiatives have originated and led by the people and communities in Brixton.
Now residents want to celebrate the people, places and culture of Brixton in a completely new way.
The Brixton Wave, a cultural explosion which captures the spirit of the area will be a new three-day festival which will debut in the summer of 2019, inspired by the range of fringe festivals that take place around the world.

Taking place at The Department Store in Ferndale Road, the launch will feature on Sunday:
Miss Megumi – Saxophonist soothing us with the sweet sounds of jazzy reggae and more.
The Hebe Foundation – Youth Drama depiction of the arrival of Empire Windrush
Alan Piper – The Brixton story in the 20th century.
Neil Kenlock – The power of photography in telling the Brixton story.
Mike K’llejero – Reggae influences on Latin dance.

Saturday’s event, which is already sold out, features
Kofi Arts – The Dressing Table and The Mannequin. An art installation showcasing the contributions of Africans and Caribbeans to UK culture. Open from 11am on both days.
Dirg Richards – A photographic documentation of the Windrush Experience, from 11am on both days.
Alan Piper – Local Historian from the Brixton
Society.
Neil Kenlock – Photographer.
Onysha D Collins – Poet and filmmaker.
Hebe Foundation – Youth Theatre performance of the Windrush story.
Entertainment and performances – Saxophonist, guest DJs, and poetry.

The organisers are encouraging creatives, artists, local firms and event managers to be early partners in the summer event – running events, headlining events, providing business services and everything else that will be needed to make this a great success – then you need to be in the room on one of these two evenings.