The festival is being held from Dates June 6 - July 11 at various venues around Newham.

Introduction by the Mayor

Thousands of young people are taking part in this year's Newham Arts Festival, which aims to increase aspirations and raise standards of achievement in the arts. It is anticipated that during the festival, teachers will develop new skills and ideas to inspire future generations of young people. The festival celebrates the artistic talent of Newham's young people and recognises the valuable skills and contribution the arts make to our lives and the economy.

Newham thanks the arts organisations that have worked alongside educators and providers to develop the high quality content of the festival. Without there continued support and partnership much of this work would not have been possible.

We do hope that you will take the time to enjoy and visit some of the events advertised on this programme.

Sir Robin Wales - Mayor of Newham

Festival Programme

Download the festival programme (pdf)

Dance Collections 08

Thursday 5 June - Stratford Circus - 7pm

Welcome to the tenth Dance Collection, a celebratory evening of outstanding work produced by NewVIc's dance teachers and
students including a dynamic performance for the stage and film in a range of explosive dance styles. This evening's performance
features an exciting piece choreographed by Kofi Mingo in collaboration with the BND1 performing arts students, with music composed by BNA/BND music technology students.

Dance It!

Tuesday June 10 and Wednesday 11 June - Stratford Circus - 7pm

School teachers from across the borough and some of today's finest dance artists join creative forces to celebrate their dance ventures with East London Dance and the Royal Opera House Education for two night of showcase performances dedicated to the dancers of tomorrow!

Sea of Memory 2008
Gifted and Talented Project

Thursday 12 June Stratford Circus - 7pm

Thirty Year 9 gifted and talented drama students, from 15 secondary schools will perform five devised pieces. They received three days intensive work with theatre practitioners in preparation for this performance.

Silvertown 1917

Tuesday 17 - Thursday 19 June - Stratford Circus - 7 pm

This performance is the result of a long term project in nine primary schools. Pupils explored a major historical event which shattered the lives of some residents and workers in Silvertown in 1917 They developed their understanding of the event through dance, drama, music and visual art and some of that learning is presented and celebrated tonight.

VerbalEyes

Saturday June 21 - Tate Britain - All day

VerbalEyes is Tate Britain's schools outreach project exploring visual and verbal literacy with contemporary practitioners using the Tate collection. VerbalEyes worked with over 400 children and their teachers from seven primary schools in the London Boroughs of Newham, Greenwich and Westminster. Two classed from each school worked with artists and writers over the course of two weeks, visiting Tate britain, investigating art and language and creating a final piece of artwork. The final pieces of the projects are displayed in a special VerbalEyes exhibition at Tate Britain, which is launched with a celebratory family day.

The Adaptation Project

Wednesday 25 June (Part 1)
Thursday 26 June (Part 2)
Stratford Circus
7pm

An evening of ten minute theatre pieces adapted from literature, song and art, presented and performed by different Newham secondary schools. A celebration of Key Stage 3 drama in the borough

Newham's Young Songwriters Showcase

Friday June 27 - Stratford Circus - 7 to 9pm

Year 9 students from 2 secondary schools in Newham perform their own songs.

2008 London Teenage Poetry Slam

Saturday June 28 - Stratford Circus - 12.30pm

Seven teams, drawn from schools across five London boroughs (Waltham Forest, Greenwich, Lambeth, Newham and Barnet), showcase poetryn and performance skills developed through the SLAM project in a dynamic final event. They present the work of the next generation of writers and performers in London's spoken word poetry scene.

The London Teenage Poetry SLAM, now in its sixth year, was developed in collaboration between Peter Khan, an English teacher from Chicago, and Fahro Malik, Chief Executive Office of London-based educational arts charity, 'My world, Our World.' The project is funded by the Jack Petchey Foundation, Lynk Reach, Lynk Ray and participating schools.

Advance booking is advised

Create it

Wednesday 2 - Friday 11 July
University of East London
10am-6pm Monday to Friday and 10am-4pm Saturday
Exhibition launch - Wednesday 2 July, 5.30pm
University of East London


This exhibition reflects the quality of artwork in Newham's schools and includes examples of curriculum projects that have been developed in conjuction with the Tate gallery, Cloth of Gold and the British Museum. School groups welcome , no booking neccesary.

Share it

Thursday July 3 - Stratford Circus -7-9pm
Showcase of high level music outcomes from schools and Neighbourhood Renewal Fund projects across Newham.

Eastside Stories Showcase

Friday July 4 - Stratford Circus - 8pm

A show run by young people, for young people, inspired by urban culture and full of undiscovered talent and established artists for the whole community to enjoy. Sponsored by dv8training.co.uk, ukstreetsounds.com and eastside-records.co.uk in Partnership with urban development.

Jazz Night

Saturday 5 July - Stratford Circus - 7pm

A cool evening offering some of the best jazz in Newham. This year we will have several additional guest artists.

Media Showcase

Wednesday July 9 - Stratford Circus - 7pm

An event showcasing media and films made by Newham's young people. The evening will include media work form NewVIc, films made by Stratford Circus in Partnership with local schools and work from Circus Media.

Tomorrow's Musicians Tonight

Thursday 10th July- Stratford Circus 7pm

Tommorrow's musicians Today and their fifth club night on Monday at NewVIc. The participants from Tollgate, Park and Gallions Primary and Cumberland, Royal Docks and Kingsford secondary schools worked together in creative workshops to learn more about
Latin beats, improvisation and the blues. Five students from the secondary schools worked with their peer mentors from NewVic to create their very own blues piece, which they will perform this week. Also performing will be students from Primary Schools who have been learning to play instruments through the wider opportunities programme.

Big sing 2009 (NYPC)

Friday July 11 - Royal Festival Hall - 6 -9pm

A foyer event of extraordinary music items followed by a journey across the world through song.

Mayor's Newham Show

Venues and ticket information

For tickets to all events please call Stratford Circus Box Office on 020 8279 1015, unless otherwise stated. For further information on any of the events listed in this programme contact: artsfestival@newham.gov.uk

Royal Festival Hall
Southbank Centre
Waterloo
London SE1 8XX

Stratford Circus
Theatre Square
Stratford
London E15 1BX

University of East London
Docklands Campus
School of Architecture and
Visual Arts
4-6 University Way
Docklands
London E16 2RD

Tate Britain
Millbank
London
SW1P 4RG

Central Park
High Street South
East Ham
London E6

NewVic
Prince Regent Lane
Plaistow
London
E13 8SG