Focus on Lewisham
(Back L-R) IRIE! Dancers, Olympian Alex Yee, Beverley Glean, Wozzy Brewster, Justine Simons (Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries), Mayor of Lewisham Damien Egan, Brenda Emmanus, Olivia Marling, Rosanna Campbell, Mark Stevenson, Inua Ellams (Front) IRIE! Dancers Programme launch of We Are Lewisham, the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2022, at Rivoli Ballroom in Crofton Park, London. Photo credit: David Parry/PA Wire
London Borough of Culture 2022 will help put Lewisham on the map Lewisham kicks off its year as the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2022 on Friday 28 January with Day One, a fantastic borough-wide opening celebration that pays homage to local change makers, trailblazers, and social justice pioneers - while showcasing home-grown talents. 8
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he festivities are set to continue over the next twelve months as the We Are Lewisham programme goes on to showcase all that is great about the borough – celebrating its rich diversity, providing a platform for the local young people and promoting the power of culture to create change.
Programme highlights include: •
A dance spectacular by Alleyne Dance and IRIE! Dance Theatre, with a cast of over 200 local performers celebrating the contribution of migration to the borough
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Revolution Though Music, a celebration of Lewisham’s activist history and its rich contribution to music in Britain, kicks off in March with gigs curated by Dave Okumu
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Breathe 2022, a striking new public artwork about air pollution by artist Dryden Goodwin and Invisible Dust that pays tribute to Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah
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UK premiere of the award-winning climate change artwork Sun & Sea, Golden Lion winner at the Venice Biennale
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Lewisham People’s Day is back, after a four year hiatus. South East London’s longest running free festival will feature hundreds of live performances across multiple stages
The We Are Lewisham programme will spotlight the creative and cultural assets and potential within the borough. It is a great opportunity to put Lewisham on the map, attracting increased visitors and footfall. Lewisham Council wants local businesses to embrace its London Borough of Culture programme and the opportunities for increased trade it may provide. As such, it is offering a package of financial and practical support - funded through the Additional Restrictions Grant - to ensure they are able to make the most of the fantastic opportunities the year presents.
These include: • A new business advisory support service, delivered in partnership with Goldsmiths, University of London to help Lewisham’s entrepreneurs identify ways to get involved in the programme. For example: 3 Developing new and distinct branded products and services to coincide over 2022 with the programme 3 Capitalise on the increased footfall from residents and visitors to Lewisham, with spend on their goods/services, especially during large events such as People’s Day and Mass Dance 3 Sharing premise space(s) for activities, exhibitions or showcases 3 Staff volunteering and getting involved in the programme, as makers and creators of creative and cultural activities 3 Sponsorship and fundraising • A new grant scheme for local businesses wishing to be commissioned through We Are Lewisham programme to host an event or activity • A support pack for local high street businesses containing branded materials such as posters and window decals, to help them get behind the programme and brighten up the borough To keep up to date on all the support Lewisham Council is offering its local, independent businesses during London Borough of Culture 2022 and beyond - please sign up to the bi-weekly newsletter lewisham.gov.uk/business ••• Introduced by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in 2017, the London Borough of Culture award is a competition that sees London’s 32 boroughs bid for more than £1m of funding to stage a programme of cultural events and initiatives. The award puts culture at the heart of local communities, where it belongs, illuminating the character and diversity of London’s boroughs and showing culture is for everyone.
For full details on We Are Lewisham, please visit
wearelewisham.gov.uk
