Concert surprise at Old Street tree pit

Sanjay Tamang

Rock band Tree Pit served up a secret gig at the Old Street roundabout yesterday afternoon. The London-based band played to a small crowd in the form of passers-by and workers on their lunch break.

Tree Pit played some of their popular songs, including “Take This Light” and “Waste Of Space” for the show that lasted just about an hour.

The audience received the performance well as they applauded the band’s every song. A few of them also asked for autographs and thanked them personally for a good show.

Lior Saker, 30, lead singer and guitarist, said: “It’s good weather for doing a secret gig. Generally when we do gigs, it’s our own fans who come to our show. But today, we got to play to some random people.”

The small tree pit near the entrance of Old Street Station was used as a stage by the band. Nirmal Niroula, 20, a student fromCityCollege, said: “I had never heard of this band before but I think they played some good songs. Obviously, they have made themselves known amongst a few more people here today.”

Tree Pit have been active for more than two years but have not been signed to any record label.

Drunken Old Street clubbers caught urinating on YouTube

Paul Muchmore

An angry Old Street resident has taken to YouTube to complain about drunken revellers who use his street as a toilet when partying in trendy Hoxton.

Harry Monk, known on YouTube as HoxtonHairdo, was fed up of people urinating outside his home so he decided to record them in the act in an attempt to shame them and bring attention to the council.

Monk, a 46 year old tree surgeon from Cranwood Court, said: “The council has said they take it seriously but do not have the resources to deal with it.

“The situation is the same as ever. That is why we are keeping up the pressure; it should be on London Tonight this evening. We would like our estate to be gated so that people cannot get access and use the area as a toilet.”

In the video, Monk can be heard confronting those who have been caught relieving themselves outside his flat. He even catches a woman crouching down by a car, who runs away as soon as she realises she is on camera.

Since the video was posted three weeks ago, it has gone viral and has amassed over 200,000 views and YouTube users have got behind the campaign, suggesting how to get rid of the drunken troublemakers. One commenter, gavinardo, said: “Public urination, dealt with by international shame on YouTube? Good idea, my friend. I’m sorry you have to deal with these fools.”

Monk blames the trouble on late night drinking licenses and believes that those who cannot be bothered to walk to a nearby toilet should be outed. He said: “This goes on all night, all weekend and is a source of distress to the local residents especially the elderly people who reside on the ground floor of the estate.

“Neither Hackney council or Islington, who license the clubs, seem bothered about the effect that this is having on the quality of life for the local residents, especially as most of the worst establishments are located on the very edge of the borough of Islington and therefore Hackney residents who live opposite are totally ignored.”

Paul Smith, executive member for environment on Islington Council said that the council wants to stamp out this irresponsible behaviour.

He said: ““We have recently met with licensing and police and I will be asking our staff – and the authorities in Hackney – to do everything in our power to sort out this problem.”

Rapper P Diddy gets arty at Clerkenwell playground

Paul Muchmore

Rap star Sean “Diddy” Coombs put down his microphone and rolled his sleeves up for one afternoon to paint a local adventure park with volunteers.

The American rapper, 41, visited Toffee Park Adventure Playground on Ironmonger Row, Clerkenwell, to help 50 young volunteers on the Orange Rockcorps scheme yesterday afternoon.

The music mogul, commonly known as P Diddy in the UK, was invited to paint a canvas to display on the site.

P Diddy arrives at Toffee Park, Clerkenwell

Despite turning up in a blacked out Mercedes SL320 and wearing a stylish suit, it turned out he was no stranger to volunteer work. Speaking at the event, Diddy said: “I’ve done soup kitchens, and one of my first jobs was when I was 10, I was a painter in the summer.

“Somebody taught me a long time ago that the greatest gift you can give is the gift of giving somebody something.

“One of the biggest things we need now in the world is helping each other out and this is a prime example of kids taking responsibility in their own communities to give back and all work together.”

The visit came ahead of his performance with his band Diddy Dirty Money at the Orange Rockcorps gig at Wembley Arena, North-West London, tonight. Also appearing are Eliza Doolittle, Kelis and headliners Primal Scream.

The Rockcorps project offers volunteers free tickets to gigs and concerts in exchange for four hours of community work. It originated in the USA in 2005 but was launched in the UK by Orange and Channel 4 in 2008. So far 13,000 young Brits have been rewarded by the scheme.

Toffee Park was set up 20 years ago by students who saw the need for a safe secure and supervised place for children to play. It is free for all children up to the age of 13, and offer both indoor and outdoor spaces where children can express themselves creatively and test themselves physically.

Diddy in the playground

For more information visit http://www.orangerockcorps.co.uk and http://www.toffeeparkadventure.co.uk/

Young people get chance to exhibit in Islington Museum

Youths in the Islington area are able to fully express their ideas, emotions, creativity and interpretations in the ongoing arts project Transforming Buildings hosted by the Islington Museum. It is focusing on Hornsey Road Baths and the White Lion Centre as they are refurbished and redeveloped into youth centres. It will reminisce over the history of the buildings as a reminder of their importance.
The initiative is part of the Platform Children and Young People’s Arts Festival. The young people, ranging from 13-25, are working with professional artists and Islington Heritage Services, to create the exhibition. They have researched the history of the buildings and created a variety of art works that explore the role these buildings had in the past and will have in the future of Islington. They have also talked to older residents to find out the buildings’ meaning to local residents, and explored the museum’s archives to discover how the buildings have changed over time.
The exhibition is created by local people, and not by the museum. It is an organic exhibition in constant change, placing public opinion and expression to the forefront. It will evolve over the next few weeks, introducing video and sound effects, as well as games and art. There will be a series of workshops and activities for young people and the wider community to accompany the exhibition. The exhibition is an art and heritage project which will explore, capture and celebrate memories and the stories of the two historic buildings. So instead of an opening party, there will be a closing one, on July 30.
Both buildings have played an important role in Islington for over a century – one as a community bath and washhouse, and later a swimming pool; the other originally a school and later an education and youth centre. Alex Smith, heritage assistant at Islington Museum, said: “It is about them [young people] interpreting the buildings and the history, instead of us just telling them. This allows for people’s opinions to come forth. The kids get to decide what they find interesting.”
In 1870 a law was passed giving local communities the right to raise money to build schools allowing all children an elementary education. This made education standard for 5 to 13 year olds. Five years later a school named Penton Grove School was set up in White Lion Street, which was later renamed White Lion Street School. After World War Two the school needed repairs and was moved to Ritchie Street. The building was turned into a youth centre in the 1970s.
The baths at Hornsey Road were opened in 1892 after Islington adopted the Bathhouse Act in 1889. Swimming was not a developed sport at that time and conditions in London were very unsanitary, making access to clean water limited. The baths were used for personal washing and laundry. There were three pools when it first opened: Men’s first class, men’s second class and a dual class women’s pool. In 1892 it had the largest pool in the UK.
The pools were closed in 1991 due to lack of funds. Now they are being refurbished and reopened to the public as a local youth centre.
Islington Museum
245 St John’s Street EC1V 4NB
10am-5pm (closed Wednesday and Sunday)

Breastfeeding Welcome in Islington

By Olivia Cripps
The people of Islington are split this week, over the views on the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme. Eyebrows are being raised as it’s one of the latest places to encourage breastfeeding in public.
The National Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme aims to make it easier for mothers who breastfeed, claiming “most mothers stopped breastfeeding before they wanted or intended to because they had to return to work or felt uncomfortable doing so in public”.
In Islington 150 bars, restaurants, cafes and pubs have signed up to the scheme, which gives participants signs to put up stating: “Breastfeeding Welcome”. Now these signs are up all over the area, with popular venues such as Rosemary Branch theatre pub, Costa Coffee and the Garden Court Café at Sadler’s Wells theatre.
There are other smaller venues where the scheme has been implemented around the area, including an old-fashioned family-run cafe.
Members of the public are split as to whether this is a good thing to have swept the area or not. Joanne McNaughton, 34, a mother from Old Street, says: “I think it’s a good idea, I often felt uncomfortable breastfeeding when my son was little, however I don’t know if I’d feel comfortable doing it in a pub or where lots of people are around.”
Many people think the scheme is unnecessary; Laura Pierce, 22, who doesn’t have any children says: “People know you’re allowed to breastfeed in public…although some might find it awkward and a bit uncomfortable…I don’t think you need to put up signs and draw attention to it.” This opinion is echoed by another Islington resident who says: “I don’t like the idea of someone breastfeeding at the table if I’m in a restaurant, it’s quite a personal thing and I don’t think it’s really appropriate.”
The majority, though, are upbeat about the scheme and think it’s a positive step forward. Janet Read, a 52-year-old mother from Finsbury Park says: “Breastfeeding is a natural thing that most mothers do and to make them feel bad about it is wrong…I am pleasantly surprised about this new scheme as I wasn’t aware such a scheme had been put it place.”
To learn more about the scheme visit http://www.breastfeedingwelcomescheme.org.uk

Islington film makers get chance to show their work

TeePee Film Festival
By Olivia Cripps
Islington residents will be able to see films made by fellow Islingtonians this summer, as the TeePee Festival launches in August, featuring short films, animations and documentaries. It’s a festival hosted by The Tufnell Park Theatre Company, who have christened the event “TeePee” after its own initials. The festival is an opportunity for local film-makers and film-enthusiasts to come together. Erdogan Gilgil, one of the entrants, thinks that festivals like these are an extremely good way to give film-makers an opportunity they wouldn’t otherwise have: “(These festivals) are a great way to have your work communicated to a broader audience. It can also be a good launch pad for one’s career. You get to meet other film makers with whom you have the opportunity to forge working alliances for possible future projects.”
But he said film-makers have to be choosy: “There are many, many festivals to choose from. I think you have to be selective as to which festivals are appropriate for your particular film.” Entrants are asked to submit their 20 minute films before 15 July, so time is running out if you want to be involved! Films are being accepted from those who live in the area or films that have an Islington theme. Organisers want films with a range of views and perspectives and are expecting up to 30 submissions.
Another entry comes from 67-year-old Peter Andrews, whose black and white film has already been shortlisted for a prize at the Fastnet Short Film Festival. Having retired nine years ago, Mr Andrews’ story shows just how these festivals can inspire budding film-makers: “I studied film as part of my first degree a long while ago, but this is the first film I have made. I am entering it in for film festivals elsewhere and have caught the film-making bug.” His film was shot in West Cork in Ireland and is about an Irish watchmaker, who seeks revenge on the property developer who he believes is responsible for his wife’s death. He says: “The idea is mine but the theme of love is universal and the reference to a property developer has obvious contemporary reference to Ireland.”
He added: “I used local locations, local amateur actors and Irish crew. There was a four day shoot in December and I edited it in January.” Stories like Peter’s are inspiring to other film-makers and exactly one of the reasons these festivals are a great success: “I am fired up to start another profession, I see close-ups and tracking shots everywhere I go.”
Laura Steel, festival co-ordinator and Director of the Tufnell Park Theatre Company, says she was “very thankful” that a budget from Islington Council enabled the festival to go ahead: “Having grown up in north London, I have come to realise how important it is to have local initiatives that bring people together who might not otherwise meet. London is a gigantic city and can be very intimidating in its pace and atmosphere. We want to emphasise the importance of evaluating and re-evaluating cultural viewpoints at a local level.” The Festival will be held at Screen on the Green and had originally aimed to be suitable for all age-groups; however Miss Steel explained that this proved difficult: “Attracting younger film-makers has so far proved quite difficult. I gave lots of flyers to City and Islington College but I haven’t had any film-makers applying who are under the age of 18…I have had some interesting films submitted which are not suitable for younger viewers.” As a result, Laura is considering changing the event to exclusively over-18s.
The Tufnell Park Theatre Company is a non-profit organisation that Laura says “aims to promote artistic enterprise as well as a local community of theatre-makers and film-makers from all backgrounds and of all ages”. This is emphasised by the fact that it is free to enter the festival and that no one will be crowned the winner. She added: “Guests at the festival can expect great films made by local people, and cupcakes!”
The TeePee Film Festival is on 27 August at Screen on the Green, Islington at 10.30 am.

Fela hit musical comes to Sadler’s Wells

By Morenike Akingbade

Fela, the musical Broadway show with political bite and busting with theatrical energy comes to Sadler’s Wells theatre this summer.

The triple Tony award-winning Broadway show brings its live infectious musical sounds, rainbow of colours and vivacious dance steps to EC1. Fela has been a sell out and such a huge success in the National Theatre in London, in 2010 it was nominated for three Oliver awards, Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical for Sahr Ngaujah and Best Theatre Choreographer for Bill T. Jones. The show was also nominated for eleven Tony Awards on Broadway and won for Choreography by Bill T. Jones, Costume Design by Marina Draghici and Sound Design by Robert Kaplowitz.

Caroline Ansdell, press officer at Sadler’s Wells, said: “Due to its sell out at the National Theatre last year, that it suggests the show is a hit with the British audience.”

Ben Brantley, chief theatre critic of the New York Times, said: “There has never been anything like this on Broadway.”

Fela is the story of one of Nigeria’s most iconic and renowned musicians, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. His music is referred to as Afrobeats as it is a blend of jazz, funk, Nigerian high-life and the traditional West African chants and rhythms.

Apart from being popular for his music, Fela was also popular for his 27 wives and for using his music to promote his distaste for the military government. He enraged the political government by dropping the names of the then vice-president Moshood Abiola and then General Olusegun Obasanjo at the end of one of his politically motivated songs titled “I.T.T. (International Thief-Thief).

Fela was known for his show-stopping performances at his concerts, which were often quite eccentric and which were always on the wild side. Underground Spiritual Game was the term he used to describe his stage performances. Fela tried to make a movie but lost all the materials to a fire that was set to his house by the military government in power. Fela thought that art, and thus his own music, should have political meaning. Fela died aged 59 in 1997, from Kaposi’s sarcoma which was brought on by AIDS.

Time Out New York, said that Fela is “More than a musical, an ecstatic phenomenon.”

Fela was choreographed, directed and co-written (with lyricist Jim Lewis) by Bill T. Jones, a leading light in American contemporary dance company. Sadler’s Wells presents a Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter & Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth and Stephen Hendel, FELA Broadway LLC and CAMI Spectrum in association with The National Theatre production.

Dans Le Noir? eating blind in Clerkenwell

Spending an evening at Dans Le Noir? in Clerkenwell is the most unusual dining experience available in EC1. You will spend the evening eating food you can’t see, trying to talk to someone who you also can’t see and be totally dependent on the staff to ensure you don’t come out with half your dinner down your shirt. At first it sounds like another gimmick, the entire concept seemed unappealing to me. “Dans le Noir?” or “In the Dark?” is a dining experience that takes getting uses to.

From the outside it looks like any other restaurant, until you try to look through the windows and realise that you can’t. The ante-room is the first room you walk into and it blocks out any light as customers leave and enter the restaurant. You are told to arrive twenty minutes early so that you can enjoy a cocktail while a member of staff explains the concept and eases you into the idea of eating blind.

The staff in the lit bar and lounge area are very well trained, they did a great job in convincing me that this is more than just a gimmick, it is, as the barman put it a “sensory science experiment”.
After drinks you are left in the hands of the blind waiters who are the real stars of the show. It was at first nerve-racking, but they soon gain your trust. My waiter Samir was exemplary; his was service friendly and expertly delivered, he was the highlight of the evening.
The menu consists of four basic “surprise selections”, you can order the chef’s surprise, a seafood surprise, a meat surprise and a vegetarian surprise, all of which consist of three courses at £45. You can also go for the premium “gastronomique surprise” or “degustation surprise” which at £62 and £72 comes with a selection of champagne and wine samples. I cautiously opted for the vegetarian surprise while my sister went for the meat surprise. The staff will not tell you what will be served, no matter how hard you plead. Half the fun of the meal was trying to work out what was put in front of you before tasting it.

The waiter teaches you how to use cutlery and pour your own drinks in the dark. Despite his best efforts I ended up using my hands and asking him to pour the drinks for me. The food itself is good but not spectacular. At £45 a meal without drinks, I did expect a lot more.
The first thing you notice when the food arrives is the heightened sense of smell and touch. The selection of “surprises” is varied so you get the whole spectrum of scents and textures. On my dish I quickly detected carrots, cumin, mushrooms and yoghurt. However my sister still didn’t know what meat she was eating even after she had finished.
The pitch black dining room seats 60 people in a fairly small area which means you sit very close to customers either side of you. That combined with the sheer volume of noise makes it very hard to communicate during the meal.

After dinner when you are escorted back into the lit lounge area the light is dazzling and takes some getting used to. There was a real buzz in the lounge with everyone sharing opinions of what the experience was like for them. Other customers said it was a unique experience. However, many felt the night would be an intimate and quiet affair; instead the dining room was a constant cauldron of noise. One couple said: “It turned into more of a science experiment than a romantic meal.” It may not be the right place for an intimate night with conversation; it’s more suited for larger parties who want to enjoy a unique dining experience.

Dans Le Noir 30-31 Clerkenwell Green, London, EC1R 0DU
Open Mon – Sat, 6.30pm to midnight
020 7253 1100 booking@danslenoir.com

Whitecross Street party will draw crowds

The annual Whitecross Street Party is back, and this year it is set to be bigger than ever before, transforming the narrow road into a giant arts and performance gallery. The event, organised by Islington Council alongside St Luke’s Centre and SHP Homelessness charity, is billed as the “rise of the non-conformists” because of all the unusual games, art, music and food on offer. The games on offer are one of the main attractions, favourites from last year such as crab football, cardboard duelling and witches brew will return along with some new additions.

Whitecross Street Market’s Business Development Manager Davina Fell is optimistic about the turnout for this year’s street party. She said: “There is more interest year after year. Last year we had around a thousand people, we expect more this year with the added publicity. It’s a testament to the area that the event has remained free of charge. To keep it free we rely on volunteers and community groups, it’s also great self promotion for stalls, artists and performers.”
The festivities will have something for all ages. All the entertainment, activities and food will be free on 24 and 25 July from 12 – 6pm. There will be various stalls on the market including face-painting, t-shirt designing and festival games. Music will be provided by the Trans-Siberian Marching Band and All Soul Rebels plus some surprise guests.

The event is run on a first come first serve system. One of the reoccurring complaints on the street party’s online message board was the length of time people had to queue for activities. “There are no tickets or bookings, come as early as you can to ensure you get to do everything you want,” said Ms Fell.
www.wxstreetparty.co.uk

The artists arriving at the Platform youth hub festival..

Katerina Stankovic

Young people from all across Islington have been working with some of the borough’s most exciting artists to organise the first ever Platform Festival The two week celebration of youth arts will take place between 15 and 31 July.

The event was organised to mark the launch of the new Platform youth hub on Hornsey Road, in Holloway.

The festival is Islington’s biggest celebration of youth arts and will include an array of dance, theatre and music performances, as well as exhibitions and events. There will be over 40 events and other activities.

A lot of the events and activities will take place in different venues all across Islington, including Candoco Dance on Essex Road, The Scarabeus Theatre, The Almeida, Cubitt and Sadler’s Wells Theatre, along with many more.

Platform is run by Jonathan Gibb, managing director of Isledon Partnership – one of the organisations along with Changemakers and Trestle Theatre Company.

He said: “We’re extremely excited about the launch of the arts festival and the opportunity it provides to showcase local talent and bring together a huge range of arts, dance and theatre groups. The festival encourages people of all ages to get involved and try new arts activities.”

The new youth hub will open up a whole new range of facilities for young people in Islington, for example a fully equipped theatre, rehearsal spaces and a media suite, and make a big difference to Finsbury Park, which is one of the most deprived areas in the borough.

Platform can provide high quality, safe places for young people to spend time and develop skills and interests that will help them reach their potential.

The festival offers a live poetry show, which is described as fusing music, hip hop and spoken word, and will include a line up of rappers, poets and lyricists who aim to engage and inspire young people.

There will also be an opportunity for the public to get involved, with interactive and lively taster workshops to give beginners a flavour of spoken word craft and performance, which are led by performers and give participants the chance to write their own lyrics and perform them in the ‘open mike’ session.

The live poetry shows will be happening in venues across Islington, including the EC1 Music Project on Old Street, on July 5.

Transforming Buildings is an Arts and Heritage project which will explore, capture and celebrate memories and the stories of two historic buildings: Hornsey Road Baths and the White Lion Centre. Both buildings have played an important role in Islington for over a century, one as a community bath and washhouse, and later as a swimming pool; the other originally a school and later an education and youth centre.

Both are about to be transformed into new youth hubs.
Festival goers will have the opportunity to work with professional artists to develop skills in film, creative writing, visual and performing arts to explore these amazing spaces and to create performances, films and artworks for exhibitions and events at Platform & White Lion Youth Hubs.

There will be open access workshops at Islington Museum on St John Street every Saturday until July 23.

If you’re into arts and design, an exhibition of designs and prototypes created as part of an interior design commission for young people.

This journey of exploration and discovery will include designs of hanging light sculptures which were designed by young designers who worked with professional artists and crafts-people from Cubitt Education and Crafts Central. The sculptures are to be used as lampshades in the cafe at Platform. The exhibition will take place at Craft Central in St John’s Square on July 15 and 16.

Islington Council’s executive member for children and young people, Cllr Richard Watts, said: “The Platform Festival will be a fantastic way to celebrate the huge amount of creative talent that young people in Islington have to offer. We want to see as many young people as possible from right across the borough taking part.”

Young people will also have the opportunity to learn new skills such as event management and technical theatre, while advice and support services and access to apprenticeships and training will also be on offer.

Details of all the opportunities are available at http://www.platformislington.org.uk and a dedicated Platform Facebook page has been created.