WHAT IS SKFEST?
SKFEST is an annual multidisciplinary micro-festival that celebrates the richness of London’s contemporary culture.
2018’s edition spanned across three days in the heart of Tottenham at Bernie Grant Arts Centre between 23-25 August. Now in its third successful year, the festival will embraces the notion of London being a home for all by showcasing an artistically and culturally diverse range of talent from the local community and beyond – giving a platform to emerging talent working in a range of fields within the creative arts sector.
We aim for SKFEST to encapsulate everything that we do: amplifying the voices that society often marginalises, while professionally developing and showcasing early to mid-career artists – with a particular focus on POC creators and makers who identify as working class and/or LGBTQ+. Since 2016, we have showcased the likes of Rianna Jade Parker, our very own stage adaptation of Lord of the Flies - BOYS, a reading and Q&A with author JJ Bola as well as a host of community market stalls brought to us by Jamii.
2018's cross-arts festival boasted theatre, film, live music, performance poetry, live art, talks, drop-in and intensive workshops, and outdoor performances – with a third of the programme being Tottenham residents. With specially curated events by S+K featuring some of the most exciting names in their respective fields, these three days are not to be missed. Have a look below at the previous years' programme.
As an unfunded, not-for-profit organisation, all of the revenue generated from SKFEST goes back into paying our participating artists and creating more opportunities for their professional development through out work. It may not look like it from our cheap ticket prices, but we are reliant on your generosity for us to continue to exist and thrive – please see here to find out how.
2018’s edition spanned across three days in the heart of Tottenham at Bernie Grant Arts Centre between 23-25 August. Now in its third successful year, the festival will embraces the notion of London being a home for all by showcasing an artistically and culturally diverse range of talent from the local community and beyond – giving a platform to emerging talent working in a range of fields within the creative arts sector.
We aim for SKFEST to encapsulate everything that we do: amplifying the voices that society often marginalises, while professionally developing and showcasing early to mid-career artists – with a particular focus on POC creators and makers who identify as working class and/or LGBTQ+. Since 2016, we have showcased the likes of Rianna Jade Parker, our very own stage adaptation of Lord of the Flies - BOYS, a reading and Q&A with author JJ Bola as well as a host of community market stalls brought to us by Jamii.
2018's cross-arts festival boasted theatre, film, live music, performance poetry, live art, talks, drop-in and intensive workshops, and outdoor performances – with a third of the programme being Tottenham residents. With specially curated events by S+K featuring some of the most exciting names in their respective fields, these three days are not to be missed. Have a look below at the previous years' programme.
As an unfunded, not-for-profit organisation, all of the revenue generated from SKFEST goes back into paying our participating artists and creating more opportunities for their professional development through out work. It may not look like it from our cheap ticket prices, but we are reliant on your generosity for us to continue to exist and thrive – please see here to find out how.
"2018 has been S+K’s most ambitious year so far artistically and operationally, delivering an extensive programme of work that aims to reach specific groups in various communities across the UK.
The festival is going to encompass that and so much more, and will encapsulate the passion behind all of our projects in just three days."
– Malakai sargeant, artistic director
GALLERY
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PROGRAMME ARCHIVE
Scroll down to view the full programme of SKFEST 20178 and 2017, and get an idea of what IT'S ALL ABOUT BY watching the video below!
2018
born::free
Born:Free is a small community-based literary movement & press for established, young & emerging writers of all narratives with special interest in poetry, experimental & diasporic writing.
The movement has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2014, having partnered with international writers and leading arts organisations including the British Council and the Institute of Contemporary Arts to run events, discussions and workshops. It is spearheaded by Belinda Zhawi, a Zimbabwean born writer and educator who lives and works in London. Her work mostly focuses on memories of living in rural and urban Zimbabwe. She has performed across the UK in numerous venues, festivals and events including at Africa Writes, Bestival, TATE and 2017’s SKFEST.
Join Belinda and an undeniably talented roster of feature poets from 6:30pm in the Rehearsal Studio for a lit evening of live literature, with the chance to share your work.
The movement has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2014, having partnered with international writers and leading arts organisations including the British Council and the Institute of Contemporary Arts to run events, discussions and workshops. It is spearheaded by Belinda Zhawi, a Zimbabwean born writer and educator who lives and works in London. Her work mostly focuses on memories of living in rural and urban Zimbabwe. She has performed across the UK in numerous venues, festivals and events including at Africa Writes, Bestival, TATE and 2017’s SKFEST.
Join Belinda and an undeniably talented roster of feature poets from 6:30pm in the Rehearsal Studio for a lit evening of live literature, with the chance to share your work.
(IN)SPACE LIVE
(In)Space director Kwame Lowe curates an evening of performances and screenings
Director of (In)Space Kwame Lowe curates an evening of live performance and screenings from members of the collective.
Featuring work from Iggy LDN, Adjani Salmon, Arnold Chukwu, James Johnson and Christian Bravo, as well as readings from some of the writers and poets of the collective, the night is a celebration of the work they have produced individually and collaboratively since its first digital exhibition in early 2018. This will be interspersed with Q&As between Kwame and the artists, focusing on how they have found their identity and belonging in their respective artistic journeys.
This is your chance to meet and see the work of one of the UK’s most promising young collectives.
Director of (In)Space Kwame Lowe curates an evening of live performance and screenings from members of the collective.
Featuring work from Iggy LDN, Adjani Salmon, Arnold Chukwu, James Johnson and Christian Bravo, as well as readings from some of the writers and poets of the collective, the night is a celebration of the work they have produced individually and collaboratively since its first digital exhibition in early 2018. This will be interspersed with Q&As between Kwame and the artists, focusing on how they have found their identity and belonging in their respective artistic journeys.
This is your chance to meet and see the work of one of the UK’s most promising young collectives.
sistren live
Get to know African-Brit sister friends Sistren a lil’ deeper as they bring their queer, hilarious no-nonsense realness to SKFEST 2018.
Sistren are laser-focused on telling stories relevant to queer black women like them. The trio of sister-friends – made up of Michelle, Babirye, and DJ – started making podcasts in 2015, breathing life into radio with uncensored chat that unpacks issues from fuckboys to bisexuality and taking nudes, all while offering life advice to listeners.
They have a resident show on Transmission Roundhouse radio which led to their first live podcast at Little Simz’s Wonderland, and we’re gassed for the trio to bring another live edition full of refreshing frankness and infectious humour to the heart of Tottenham. Come and vibe with them – and some special guests – on the Mezzanine from 6pm.
Sistren has no core funding, and is reliant on your generosity for it to continue to exist and thrive. This is why this event is priced on a Pay What You Can scale, so you have the agency to fund creative endeavours like theirs on your own accord.
Sistren are laser-focused on telling stories relevant to queer black women like them. The trio of sister-friends – made up of Michelle, Babirye, and DJ – started making podcasts in 2015, breathing life into radio with uncensored chat that unpacks issues from fuckboys to bisexuality and taking nudes, all while offering life advice to listeners.
They have a resident show on Transmission Roundhouse radio which led to their first live podcast at Little Simz’s Wonderland, and we’re gassed for the trio to bring another live edition full of refreshing frankness and infectious humour to the heart of Tottenham. Come and vibe with them – and some special guests – on the Mezzanine from 6pm.
Sistren has no core funding, and is reliant on your generosity for it to continue to exist and thrive. This is why this event is priced on a Pay What You Can scale, so you have the agency to fund creative endeavours like theirs on your own accord.
Likkle Workshop with Words
Two members of the creative team behind Likkle Rum with Grandma, writer and performer Jeremiah ‘SugarJ’ Brown and the show’s director Laurie Ogden, lead a workshop that allows you to creatively explore the relationship between writing and performance.
Rooted in the themes of the show (including migration, family, identity and belonging), the second of SKFEST’s intensive half-day workshops enables you to try your hand at various writing prompts and work across different forms – plus the chance to learn in-depth how two professional mid-career artists navigate the different spaces they occupy.
The second half of the workshop will investigate how to translate your writing from the page to the stage, exploring when and how to write for performance and the best way to keep your readers and audience invested in both.
This intensive workshop is open to all, but is designed for early-career / emerging artists looking to develop the skills to transition to the next step in their practice. Sound like you? Cop your ticket and join these powerhouse writer-performers from 12pm in the Rehearsal Studio.
Rooted in the themes of the show (including migration, family, identity and belonging), the second of SKFEST’s intensive half-day workshops enables you to try your hand at various writing prompts and work across different forms – plus the chance to learn in-depth how two professional mid-career artists navigate the different spaces they occupy.
The second half of the workshop will investigate how to translate your writing from the page to the stage, exploring when and how to write for performance and the best way to keep your readers and audience invested in both.
This intensive workshop is open to all, but is designed for early-career / emerging artists looking to develop the skills to transition to the next step in their practice. Sound like you? Cop your ticket and join these powerhouse writer-performers from 12pm in the Rehearsal Studio.
TOTTENHAM artist hangout WITH LIFT
After the mammoth 2018 festival that saw an eclectic mix of international work and work created and performed in Tottenham, LIFT is back with another Tottenham Artist Hangout. In collaboration with The S+K Project, this is your chance to connect with local artists, musicians, theatre-makers, dancers and more for an evening of sharing, exchange, provocation and connection.
The event is part of LIFT’s commitment to bring a series of pop-up networking events for artists, makers, creators, performers and anyone interested in chatting about the brilliant cultural scene in Tottenham.
If you’ve not been to one before, these informal evenings are a good way to meet other artists living and working in the local area and share more about your own artistic practice as well as have some great conversations. So far there has been over 300 local artists from a wide range of disciplines come together at these events and we can’t wait to meet more!
The event will comprise of informal networking as we meet everyone in the room before we move towards an Open Space discussion facilitated by The S+K Project. It’s free, but do reserve your place through the LIFT website before you come. See you on the Mezz.
The event is part of LIFT’s commitment to bring a series of pop-up networking events for artists, makers, creators, performers and anyone interested in chatting about the brilliant cultural scene in Tottenham.
If you’ve not been to one before, these informal evenings are a good way to meet other artists living and working in the local area and share more about your own artistic practice as well as have some great conversations. So far there has been over 300 local artists from a wide range of disciplines come together at these events and we can’t wait to meet more!
The event will comprise of informal networking as we meet everyone in the room before we move towards an Open Space discussion facilitated by The S+K Project. It’s free, but do reserve your place through the LIFT website before you come. See you on the Mezz.
PUMPKIN JUKEBOX LIVE
Xi-mali Kadeena-Guscoth is a writer, musician and interdisciplinary artist who is bringing a new piece of original music exclusively to SKFEST.
Having been commissioned previously by the likes of the Royal Court, Tottenham local Xi-Mali will be bringing together a talented band to get us in the carnival mood with two performances throughout the day.
Come shake a leg and buss a whine with us in the Courtyard!
Having been commissioned previously by the likes of the Royal Court, Tottenham local Xi-Mali will be bringing together a talented band to get us in the carnival mood with two performances throughout the day.
Come shake a leg and buss a whine with us in the Courtyard!
OUR TOTTENHAM
Our Tottenham is an intergenerational community project by Arts Bridge Charity involving children and seniors living in Tottenham.
Over 4 weeks, several Tottenham landmarks were visited and explored, stories of growing up in Tottenham were shared. Supported by the Arts Bridge team, children and seniors created a theatre piece inspired by the stories and historical knowledge they have gathered.
Come and see this timely piece of free theatre in the Courtyard at 3pm and 5pm – for free!
Over 4 weeks, several Tottenham landmarks were visited and explored, stories of growing up in Tottenham were shared. Supported by the Arts Bridge team, children and seniors created a theatre piece inspired by the stories and historical knowledge they have gathered.
Come and see this timely piece of free theatre in the Courtyard at 3pm and 5pm – for free!
INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY WITH THE S+K PROJECT
The second in our series of relaxed drop-in workshops is led by our Resident Photographer, Oriste-Etemi Olugbo. He has been working with S+K sine Spring 2017 and is responsible for capturing all of the visual content for our events and production. His work ranges from quiet poetry nights to not so quiet corporate events, with clients including names such as G-Shock and Puma.
He is also the co-director of up-and-coming media company Highgrade Vxsuals, an organisation aiming to bring high quality and conscious visual content to young people across the UK.
If you’ve got an interest in photography and a keen eye for capturing images, join Oriste as he takes you around the BGAC space and learn what makes a striking photo. We are only able to provide two DSLR cameras for this workshop, so if you have your own please do bring it along.
He is also the co-director of up-and-coming media company Highgrade Vxsuals, an organisation aiming to bring high quality and conscious visual content to young people across the UK.
If you’ve got an interest in photography and a keen eye for capturing images, join Oriste as he takes you around the BGAC space and learn what makes a striking photo. We are only able to provide two DSLR cameras for this workshop, so if you have your own please do bring it along.
blackout poetry with the s+K project
Join us for a series of drop-in workshops facilitated by members of The S+K Project, introducing you to various elements of a specific creative practice. These workshops are informal and conversation-based, but will equip you with new skills that you can use to create your own work.
The first in the series, led by our Marketing Manager Danni Ebanks-Ingram, looks at how we can create and rework narratives using the world around us as inspiration. Through the medium of blackout poetry, you’ll get a chance to explore how we can utlise the doom and gloom in print media and turn it into our own narrative.
Come and make friends with Danni over some tea and cake from the Blooming Scent cafe – it’s open to everyone!
The first in the series, led by our Marketing Manager Danni Ebanks-Ingram, looks at how we can create and rework narratives using the world around us as inspiration. Through the medium of blackout poetry, you’ll get a chance to explore how we can utlise the doom and gloom in print media and turn it into our own narrative.
Come and make friends with Danni over some tea and cake from the Blooming Scent cafe – it’s open to everyone!
S+K SHORTS LOUNGE
Olivia Douglass curates an afternoon of short film screenings, with a focus on diverse storytelling.
Featuring work from Alexandre Simões, Rene Matić, Munesu Mukombe and Leah Rustomjee, the S+K Shorts Lounge is a sharing and celebration of the work of these London-based and international artists have created. The Lounge boasts an exciting variety of films, from documentaries exploring how female DJ’s are represented in London’s predominately male music scene, to a road film, chroma-key dream, where two love birds drive away from home on a love story inside the studio.
S+K Shorts Lounge will be interspersed with Q&As between Olivia and the artists, focusing on the themes, processes and purposes of their work.
Featuring work from Alexandre Simões, Rene Matić, Munesu Mukombe and Leah Rustomjee, the S+K Shorts Lounge is a sharing and celebration of the work of these London-based and international artists have created. The Lounge boasts an exciting variety of films, from documentaries exploring how female DJ’s are represented in London’s predominately male music scene, to a road film, chroma-key dream, where two love birds drive away from home on a love story inside the studio.
S+K Shorts Lounge will be interspersed with Q&As between Olivia and the artists, focusing on the themes, processes and purposes of their work.
LIKKLE RUM WITH GRANDMA
When I came here, I cried for nearly two years… every day.
Before she was grandma, she was mum; before that she was just herself. How can you love someone if you only start knowing them from when you were born?
Likkle Rum with Grandma is a journey over a generational bridge. This emotive piece of new writing by Croydon-based writer Jeremiah ‘SugarJ’ Brown mixes poetry, storytelling and a Jamaican grandmother’s voice to bring to the fore issues of loneliness, immigration, community, what distance does to family love and the waviness of Port.
Featuring a curtain raiser by the participants of the earlier workshop, come chill and catch a vibe in the Rehearsal Studio from 6pm as we get to know Grandma – and a young man gets to understand himself.
What do I need? Just a little visit.
Before she was grandma, she was mum; before that she was just herself. How can you love someone if you only start knowing them from when you were born?
Likkle Rum with Grandma is a journey over a generational bridge. This emotive piece of new writing by Croydon-based writer Jeremiah ‘SugarJ’ Brown mixes poetry, storytelling and a Jamaican grandmother’s voice to bring to the fore issues of loneliness, immigration, community, what distance does to family love and the waviness of Port.
Featuring a curtain raiser by the participants of the earlier workshop, come chill and catch a vibe in the Rehearsal Studio from 6pm as we get to know Grandma – and a young man gets to understand himself.
What do I need? Just a little visit.
PUMPKIN JUKEBOX LIVE
Xi-mali Kadeena-Guscoth is a writer, musician and interdisciplinary artist who is bringing a new piece of original music exclusively to SKFEST.
Having been commissioned previously by the likes of the Royal Court, Tottenham local Xi-Mali will be bringing together a talented band to get us in the carnival mood with two performances throughout the day.
Come shake a leg and buss a whine with us in the Courtyard!
Having been commissioned previously by the likes of the Royal Court, Tottenham local Xi-Mali will be bringing together a talented band to get us in the carnival mood with two performances throughout the day.
Come shake a leg and buss a whine with us in the Courtyard!
(In)space exhibition
The second (In)Space event will be a pop-up interactive exhibition. It will involve a blacked out room with projections of visual art, poems and short films on themes of home and identity, with the artists on hand to talk about their work.
Also featuring specially curated playlists and live sound design sets throughout the afternoon, this exhibition will be a feast for the senses. You'll also have the opportunity to speak to Kwame about his ambitions for (In)Space and see how you can get behind the project.
Also featuring specially curated playlists and live sound design sets throughout the afternoon, this exhibition will be a feast for the senses. You'll also have the opportunity to speak to Kwame about his ambitions for (In)Space and see how you can get behind the project.
Storyboarding with The S+K Project
The third workshop of our drop-in series is led by S+K’s Participation Coordinator, Amber Evans. A large amount of Amber's work revolves around working in communities to establish long-term, meaningful relationships to enable the creation of high-quality artistic work. Amber is collaborating with artists of various disciplines to create her first body of work that explores notions of online identities, with a sharing lined up for Autumn 2018.
Amber’s workshop will explore the question: what makes us who we are? Using social and digital media as a stimuli, this conversation-led workshop will enable you to think critically about how you develop characters in your own work, and creating storyboards to delve into the interplay between characters and setting. Join her on the Mezzanine from 1pm.
The S+K Project has no core funding, and is reliant on your generosity for us to continue to exist and thrive. This is why this event is priced on a Pay What You Can scale, so you have the agency to fund creative endeavours like ours on your own accord.
Amber’s workshop will explore the question: what makes us who we are? Using social and digital media as a stimuli, this conversation-led workshop will enable you to think critically about how you develop characters in your own work, and creating storyboards to delve into the interplay between characters and setting. Join her on the Mezzanine from 1pm.
The S+K Project has no core funding, and is reliant on your generosity for us to continue to exist and thrive. This is why this event is priced on a Pay What You Can scale, so you have the agency to fund creative endeavours like ours on your own accord.
2017
Community Market, curated by Jamii
Dalston Eastern Curve Garden
We invited Jamii to curate 2017’s Community Market, housed in the idyllic Dalston Eastern Curve Garden throughout SKFEST.
Jamii is a discount card for Black British businesses, where you can save on everything from your favourite hair products, to beautifully authentic food and stunning and empowering artwork.
Jamii is a platform designed to get you into the habit of thinking about the incredible businesses within the community whenever you shop. Jamii encourages entrepreneurial talent, and have a desire to see these Black British businesses grow and grow.
Jamii is a discount card for Black British businesses, where you can save on everything from your favourite hair products, to beautifully authentic food and stunning and empowering artwork.
Jamii is a platform designed to get you into the habit of thinking about the incredible businesses within the community whenever you shop. Jamii encourages entrepreneurial talent, and have a desire to see these Black British businesses grow and grow.
Bun Babylon, with Rianna Jade Parker
We invited writer, curator and artist Rianna Jade Parker to lead a progressive workshop on getting to grips with putting together an exhibition in contemporary art spaces across the UK. The workshop focused on curating visual arts in a variety of spaces including galleries and museums.
The session touched upon how curation works in both established institutions and DIY spaces whilst also exploring what it’s like working as a consultant in these spaces – and how curation can be a form of resistance/bunnin babylon.
The session touched upon how curation works in both established institutions and DIY spaces whilst also exploring what it’s like working as a consultant in these spaces – and how curation can be a form of resistance/bunnin babylon.
Live and Direct, with The S+K Project
The S+K Project’s outreach team led a one-of-a-kind workshop sharing methods and techniques for emerging actors, devisers, facilitators and theatre-lovers on how best to start the process of making work.
With a focus of working in inclusive settings, The S+K Team guided participants through practical exercises and activities to equip them with the tools to make work for yourself and others with confidence, creativity and charisma. This was an inclusive workshop open to all abilities and experiences, led by David Gilbert and Monae Robinson.
With a focus of working in inclusive settings, The S+K Team guided participants through practical exercises and activities to equip them with the tools to make work for yourself and others with confidence, creativity and charisma. This was an inclusive workshop open to all abilities and experiences, led by David Gilbert and Monae Robinson.
BOYS, by The S+K Project
BOYS was an adaptation of Lord of the Flies, a 1954 novel by Nobel Prize-winning English author William Golding.
With an all POC male cast, the sold-out play was a dark examination of what happens when a group of young men are stranded on an island and try to govern themselves. The play explored the themes of politics, morality, gender and identity, viewing Golding’s writing through a contemporary lense for today’s audiences. Produced by The S+K Project, directed by Steven Kavuma.
With an all POC male cast, the sold-out play was a dark examination of what happens when a group of young men are stranded on an island and try to govern themselves. The play explored the themes of politics, morality, gender and identity, viewing Golding’s writing through a contemporary lense for today’s audiences. Produced by The S+K Project, directed by Steven Kavuma.
No Place to Call Home:
JJ Bola in Conversation with Malakai Sargeant
Writer, poet and educator JJ Bola held an intimate reading of his newly published and highly-acclaimed novel No Place to Call Home, available to order online or to buy in bookshops who know a thing or two about sensational literature. The novel is a unique tale of belonging, identity and immigration, of hope and hopelessness, of loss – not by death, but by distance – and, by no means the least, of love.
The reading was followed by a conversation between JJ Bola and Malakaï Sargeant, followed by an audience Q&A.
The reading was followed by a conversation between JJ Bola and Malakaï Sargeant, followed by an audience Q&A.