Friday 29 May: Take a walk through the history of the village of Highbury today from 12th century to the present day.The focus of the walk is local history with the latter part looking at Arsenal FC’s 100 years in the borough.
Walks take place at 10am and 1.30pm for families (all adults must be accompanied by a child). Places are limited – to book email: ssingh@arsenal.co.uk.
Thursday 28 May:
Broaden your lexical horizons this month by spotting Free Words of the Week around the borough. This year’s words link to the health and wellbeing theme of the Word2015 Festival.
Week 1: ISTHMUS
Wednesday 27 May – we have two different walking experiences on offer today for all the family.
The Charles Dickens Museum are running Dickensian Walks at 11.30am and 5pm at £10 per person. Explore the streets and alleyways of Dickensian London, following in the footsteps of some of literature’s most memorable and enduring characters, led by TV historian Richard Jones. Book your ticket here or…
…why not join Arsenal in the Community this Friday 29 May for a Highbury History Family Walk at 10am or 1.30pm – (all adults must be accompanied by a child) -The walk focuses on the history and development of the village of Highbury from 12th Century to the present day. Booking essential – email: ssingh@arsenal.co.uk
…for under 5s and their families try music and storytelling with Music Box – 11am at Lewis Carroll Children’s Library, 166 Copenhagen Street, N1 0ST or 2.30pm at Archway Library, Hamlyn House, Highgate Hill, N19 5PH
Tuesday 26 May brings a range of activities for all ages…
….for young people age 13-19 looking to let loose and take a break from the pressure of exam season, join Islington Community Theatre at Platform from 10am-6pm today and tomorrow for a 2-day ‘Festival of Stress‘ learn techniques to de-stress, while devising, rehearsing and performing a new show – all in 2 days!
…for under 5s and their families try music and storytelling with Music Box – 11am at North Library, Manor Gardens N7 76J or 2.30pm at Central Library, 2 Fieldway Crescent, N5 1PF
..and look out for the wonderful Free Words of the Week on posters at venues across Islington. A new word will appear each week tying into the festival themes and the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
Monday 25 May 2-5pm – Cubitt present their annual Spring Ball for local people over 55, at Islington’s Assembly Hall. This year’s theme is The Magic Word – prepare to be mesmerised by dance performances, charmed by art displays and enchanted by creative workshops. Step into your dancing shoes to dazzle on the dance floor and sample the tasty treats from the Cake Gallery. Free tickets from Cubitt 020 7278 8226
This year’s Word2015 Festival has a particular focus on the impact of reading and writing on mental health and wellbeing, with specially commissioned projects for older people with dementia; young people experiencing mental health issues; and young families.
The week leading up to Word2015 is Dementia Awareness Week – 18-24 May 2015. Islington Central Library has a collection of books designed to improve wellbeing CLICK HERE to find out more about schemes like Books on Prescription by The Reading Agency. Visit the Where the Heart Is exhibiton at Free Word Centre this month to see the outcomes of artists’ residencies in dementia care settings in the north of England.
(Image: Stephen King – Where the Heart Is)
Word2015 begins on Monday 25 May with an amazing programme of events and activities for people of all ages running until 19 June. The festival brochure will be available in libraries and arts venues shortly, but for sneak preview – download it: Word2015 Festival Brochure
Are you an artist, arts or heritage organisations in Islington planning an event or project from 25 May – 19 June 2015 or afterwards – which celebrate the enjoyment of reading and writing? WORD2015 is now seeking proposals for activities to be considered for inclusion and promotion in this year’s festival as Co-Promotions.
The deadline for proposals is: 12 noon, Wednesday 11 March 2015.
Download:
Word 2015 Co-promotion Proposal Guidelines
Word 2015 Co-promotion proposal form
WORD2015 is seeking Expressions of Interest from artists and arts organisations for participatory projects for next year’s festival. The deadline for submissions is:
12 noon,Wednesday 7 January 2015
Download the Guidelines, Application Form and Guide to Mental Health in Islington here:
WORD2015 Festival Expression of Interest Guidelines
We’re delighted to announce that Arts Council England and Islington Council have confirmed support for two more years of WORD – Word2015 and Word2016.
More news coming soon about festival dates and how to get involved!
WORD 