Thursday 10 October – 3 special activities and events:

Morning – A4D Sensory Storytelling through Illustration The first of a series of weekly morning workshops with Arts4Dementia [running from 10 Oct – 28 Nov 2019] for people living with early-stage dementia and their companions. Explore techniques.
Be inspired by the exhibitions. Develop skills.
Surprise yourself by what you can create. No experience necessary!   To register, call 020 7239 4954 lois@arts4dementia.org.uk Where: House of Illustration, 2 Granary Square, N1C 4BH @illustrationHQ@HOIeducation@Arts4Dementia

Community of Fire – pop up exhibition 12-2pm: Join the Community of Fire with All Change Associate Artists Francesca Beard and Leticia Valverdes, Islington Pause Project and a group of local women they work with – for this powerful event. Sharing original poetry and photography. Exploring the everyday and the extraordinary.  Where: Autograph ABP, Rivington Place EC2A 3BA @PauseOrg @AutographABP

Key Changes: World Mental Health Day Talent Show – 6-9pm: A unique annual event presenting a beguiling, inspiring and wildly diverse array of music, spoken word and comedy from artists with lived experience of mental health issues from North London and beyond. Where: St. Luke’s Community Centre, 90 Central Street EC1V 8AJ

@keychangesmusic

Wednesday 9 October 4.30-7.30pm:  a combined arts celebration The Mildmays are three extra care housing schemes located in the heart of Islington – a few minutes’ walk from one another. This special event celebrates a vibrant programme of arts projects with All Change, Cubitt and Magic Me, which include on-site artists’ studios, poetry workshops and cocktail evenings.  Booking essential: 020 7689 4646

Monday 7 October –

9.45am & 11am at Central Library & 1pm & 2pm at Finsbury Library –  performances for schools – Celebrating over 70 years since the ship first docked at Tilbury, the story of the Empire Windrush marks the foundations of multicultural Britain. Meet Grace or Jakob, both passengers on board the ship from the Caribbean, as they embark on the voyage of a lifetime. Performed by Bigfoot Arts Education. Invitation Only – to Islington Schools #BlackHistoryMonth

Social: @bhmUK @IslingtonLibs @IslingtonMuseum @IslingtonLHC

Saturday 5 October 2019 – 2pm  – 

Mole and Gecko is an interactive rap musical that the audience (that’s you!) help create. Join in with our unlikely pair as they make up new songs, tell stories and meet
a host of unusual characters. Starring Simon Mole & Gecko

A quest for adventure. A quest with a duck.

With loads of laughs and jokes throughout, this show is perfect for under 8s (and their grown-ups too).

Where: Finsbury Library, 245 St. John Street EC1V 4NB

6.30pm: A Stroll down the Golden Mile –Explore the remarkable and rambunctious history of music hall in Islington! Hear from our band of merry miscreants, the ‘Naughty Nineties’, as they sing their way through songs from the borough. Join in with old favourites including ‘Champagne Charlie and ‘My Old Man Said Follow the Van…’ and get a taste of what music hall was all about!

Booking: Eventbrite

Thursday 3 October 2019 – #NationalPoetryDay

4-6pm: Words of Wisdom – Performance of poetry, songs and stories – To celebrate National Poetry Day 2019, the WoW poetry collective, together with Associate Artist Francesca Beard, explore the theme of TRUTH. With tea & cake!

Where: St. Luke’s Community Centre, 90 Central Street EC1V 8AJ

Social: @allchangearts@StLukesTrust

6.30pm: Open Mic @ North Library – Poets and spoken word artists are invited to join this National Poetry Day Open Mic evening – with MC Sandra Agard. For a pre-booked slot and further information contact: Rachel.O’Connor-D@islington.gov.uk or Nick.tranmer@islington.gov.uk

Where: North Library, Manor Gardens N7 6JX

We’re counting down to the start of the WORD2019 Festival – Autumn – which runs from Thu 3- Sat 12 October 2019 in Islington. Pick up a WORD2019 leaflet from your local library or download it here: WORD2019FestivalLeaflet

Brought to you by The WORD Association – All Change | Key Changes | House of Illustration | Lyrix Organix | Upswing | Islington Library & Heritage Services – a collective of arts organisations and libraries working in partnership with local communities.

WORD is a year-round programme of innovative arts projects and events in Islington, where arts companies, libraries and communities come together to create, share and experience new and original work. It provides a platform for new and often unheard voices and stories, promoting wellbeing, and reducing isolation and loneliness by bringing communities together to share stories. WORD festivals are packed with inspiring activities and events for all ages. Launching on National Poetry Day 2019 – find WORD this October indoors and outside, in the libraries, art galleries, museums, community centres, gardens and streets of Islington.

As June 2019 ends, so WORD2019 – Summer festival draws to a close. This past fortnight has been a wonderful whirlwind of WORDS, delivered through poetry, stories, songs, performance and illustration – with contributions from local people and artists of all ages and backgrounds.

This year, you don’t have to wait long for more … as for the first time, WORD2019 returns  for a special weeklong festival marking #LibrariesWeek from 7-12 October 2019, presented by the #WORDAssociation. Look out for events and activities for all ages, including #LibraryLive, #LateAtTheLibrary and #WORDPLAY events.

Follow us here and on Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and updates!