Saturday 20 August, 12 – 7pm
Free and open to all!
"It’s a celebration that truly brings the community’s voice to life, that everyone wants to be part of." — Jules, performance artist and local resident
This community-powered London festival returns to the iconic urban setting of Southmere Park this month, bringing together residents and visitors alike for a free celebration of all things Thamesmead. Organised by local people and with a programme packed full of home-grown talent — including Britain’s Got Talent champions Twist and Pulse and singer Samm Henshaw — the day features live music, dance, performance, food and family activities as well as the much-anticipated annual dog show. Attracting more than 6000 attendees in 2021, this unique festival is fast-becoming a staple in the London cultural calendar and with the newly opened Elizabeth Line making transport to Abbey Wood that
bit easier, Londoners are invited to come and see what Thamesmead has to offer.
The entire festival is programmed and led by the Festival Production Group, made up of 14 residents representative of Thamesmead’s diverse cultures and neighbourhoods. Together
with acclaimed cultural event producers Serious, they have been working to deliver an ambitious showcase of local talent.
This year’s event will see the return of its three main stages – the Park Stage, up on the hill, hosted by Fusion; the Southmere Stage on Southmere Square, hosted by BBC radio DJ Jumoké Fashola and the more informal Unplugged Stage among the leafy trees in Southmere Park, which will be hosted by comedian and filmmaker Riordan Tyson.
Confirmed music acts include south London-raised singer Samm Henshaw, globally-renowned jazz trumpeter Byron Wallen, Chicago-style harmonica blues from Old Boys Blues Band, poetic hip-hop musician Deesense, soul and jazz vocalist J Cocoa and rapper, singer-songwriter Jules among many others, with Radio Thamesmead DJs (RTM.fm) keeping the music flowing throughout the day in between sets.
Dance highlights for 2022 include Britain’s Got Talent street-dance champions Twist and Pulse, performances from Thamesmead-based dance troupe Dynamix and Greenwich Dance, who recently relocated to the newly built community building, The Nest, in Cygnet Square. Dance forms an integral part of the programme, reflecting the popularity of the artform within the community, with globally renowned Thamesmead-raised rapper ENNY recently describing how joining a local street dance group as a child helped shape an early interest in music.
Community stalls run by local groups and charities providing information about the work they do will run throughout the day – including Freedom Network, Counselling Matters Bexley, Parent Power Education, Healthwatch Greenwich, West Thamesmead Community Association and Bexley Fostering among others. Free workshops and activities for children and adults – from drumming and making workshops to inflatable goal post penalty shoot-outs – will run throughout the day.
To top the day off, a mouth-watering menu of locally produced global cuisine and drink will be available, with this year’s offering includes Peter’s Panas serving the best Venezualan gluten-free arepas in London, tasty Jamaican eats from The Caribbean Hut, Nigerian cuisine from Yeti’s Authentic Kitchen and Bexley Mixology providing a refreshing selection of handcrafted mocktails. Other stalls include hand blended holistic pink Himalayan salt products from Pink Salt UK, Cool-Caricatures by local artist Femi and Deluxe Bubbles, selling bath bombs, soaps, scrubs and balms fit to pamper a king.
Adriana Marques, Peabody’s Head of Thamesmead Cultural Strategy, said:
“We’re delighted to be returning for another edition of Thamesmead Festival, our flagship
community celebration. This event showcases community leadership at its best, with 14 local
residents programming a fantastic day of music, arts, community groups and markets that
reflect Thamesmead’s unique spirit. With its thriving creative community and its improved
transport links thanks to the new Elizabeth Line, now is an exciting time to be in
Thamesmead. The festival is an annual moment to celebrate this wonderful town and invite
visitors in to witness it in all its vibrant glory.”
Mrs Deborah Frimpong, a Festival Production Group member and Chair of the Moorings Neighbourhood Forum (MNF) said: “What an opportunity to see Thamesmead recognised for all the good things that are happening here. The festival is a unique and special showcase that not only brings the four areas of Thamesmead together but also draws in the wider community. Stretching across Southmere Park, the festival lends itself to being a sensational experience each year. I’m
really looking forward to an exceptional time celebrating, sharing and basking in the company of friends, family and local talents.”
Jules, a local rapper and singer-songwriter performing at the festival, said: “Thamesmead Festival is the heart of the community, celebrating and showcasing the various aspects that make Thamesmead what it is today. Whether you’re local or passing through on the day, it's a guarantee that you'll instantly fall in love with our town.”
FULL FESTIVAL LINE-UP
Park Stage
Hosted by Fusion
Twist and Pulse, Samm Henshaw, Byron Wallen Band, Dynamix, Jules, Rcrdshop / Jerusha,
Ian / Old Boys Blues Band, Taru Arts Carnival Workshops and Samba, UK Latin Community
+ RTM DJs
Southmere Stage
Hosted by Jumoké Fashola
The Dog Show, Utopia Jeer, Jerusha Ujanga (SHAKHER), J Cocoa, Dance Me Fit with
Tatiana Oriana, Greenwich Dance Lindyhop, UK Latin Ensemble Workshop, Dynamix +
RTM DJs
Thamesmead Unplugged
Hosted by Riordan Tyson
Deesense, Sippsopps, Tommy Murray, Byron Wallen Solo Shells, London College of
Performing Arts, Angela Hinds, Dennis Low, Ida Sete, Nush, Prinz Leo
Community Stalls
Danzability, Freedom Network, Counselling Matters Bexley, Parent Power Education,
Healthwatch Greenwich, Feel Good Co-operative, Metropolitan Police Service, West
Thamesmead Community Association, Peabody, Thamesmead Community Benefit, Local
Councillors, Bexley Fostering, Cool Caricatures, Greenwich Wildlife Network, K&N
Supplies, Yeti’s Authentic Kitchen, Bean Machine
The Festival Production Group is: Manny Adeneye, Samuel Aribisala, Joanne Bernard,
Adedapo Dalley, Deborah Frimpong, Jules, Carolyn Long, Whitney Manassian, Pastor
Bunmi Omidiran, Anne Poole, Ian Tyson, Jerusha Ujanga, Kim Vale and Jamie
Zubairi.
