THAT FESTIVAL FEELING

Until the pandemic upended expectations on every level, culture lovers within and without the capital were reliably safe in the knowledge that, year in, year out Autumn would yield arts festivals to suit every taste.

Clearly that wasn’t a thing in 2020 but 2021 is a different beastie altogether - for musos, cineastes and bookworms, the time has come to disconnect from the interweb (lifesaver though it’s been) and venture forth into a world brimming with reality.

Written by Gillian Smith

Jostling for your attention over the next few months are events dedicated to film, literature, comedy, soul, singing and theatre. And that’s before we even get started on the festive season. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Narrowing it down to a world of immediate gratification let’s focus on the here and now, well as the immediate future, and zero in on cinema, jazz and books.

First up and already in full swing - particularly for those looking for a temporary break from the increasingly dystopian fare of streaming services - is the 2021 BFI

London Film Festival.

As Ben Roberts, Chief Executive of the BFI, tells us, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder and this has never been truer than for millions of film fans whose big screen fix has been in such short supply over the past year and a half.”

Between the opening gala, Jeymes Samuel’s The Harder they Fall, starring Idris Elba, all the way through to Joel Coen’s take on Macbeth featuring Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington, deciding where to position yourself and your tub of popcorn is gonna be tricky. ‘Cos we’re not just talking cinema here… it’s talks, debates, XR and immersive experiences all round. And the best part is how many of these movies will be finding their way onto a cinema screen near you once the festival is done. So no need to panic if you don’t score a ticket.

BFI LFF 2021 kicks off on 6th October and draws to a close on the 17th. Check it out on www.whatson.bfi.org.uk/lff

If, on the other hand, you see yourself lounging moodily in the monochrome of a classic Herman Leonard shot of a cool basement club (minus the wreaths of cigarette smoke of course) then the EFG London Jazz Festival is the one for you. Positioning itself squarely behind the tagline WE ARE BACK. WE ARE LIVE. #WE ARE JAZZ, this pan-city musical extravaganza features both worldclass arts and emerging stars.

Live international music producers Serious are the guys and gals behind this with the idea of celebrating the place of jazz in a city at ease with its rich cultural diversity, and drawing in a multitude of venues across London. So cutting to the chase here, who and what is on offer? Wasting no time, the opening gala night on12th November gives us Guy Barker, the UK’s premiere jazz trumpeter. Thereafter we’re talking Daniel Casimir, Archie Shepp & Jason Moran, a Tony Allen retrospective, Cleveland Watkiss, Stefano Bollani and a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Nick Drake’s seminal album Bryter Layter, to name nowhere near the number we should.

EFG London Jazz Festival 12th-21st November https://efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk/2021

Back to the spoken word now and of all people you would think avid readers might have fared best with the enforced solitude of the past 18 months. Not so apparently and for those missing their friends The London Literature Festival assures them that they’re not alone. Drawing inspiration from Sally Rooney’s debut novel, Conversations with Friends, this year’s assuredly non-virtual event intends to ‘dive into the joy and meaning friendship brings to our lives, as well as the challenges.’

In practical terms, this translates as a line-up of eminent authors and rising literary stars, along with readings, podcasts and awards previews. Not to mention a whole host of children’s events to coincide with half-term.

Naming names means pointing a finger at the likes of Grayson Perry, Caleb Azumah Nelson,, Candace CartyWilliams, Mieko Kawakami, Clarice Bean creator Lauren Child, neuroscientist Anil Seth and many many more. They’ll be there, tomes in hand, will you?

October 21st -31st www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/festivalsseries/london-literature-festival

Hopefully there is something here for everyone.. and if not, well watch this space, we’ve only just got (re)started.

Face it folks, we’re meant to be together...

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Join Gillian Smith for a montly report on all things arts and culture in and around the capital Search 'My Soho Times' on Soho Radio.