Caledonian Road, London, N1.
3rd July 2011. 12 noon – 6pm. Free Event.
This pop-up festival will see a large section of the road closed off and packed full-of rare Sunday afternoon delights.
‘The Cally Festival’, locally initiated by Metropolitan Police community support officers, the Team Cally neighbourhood co-coordinator and residents to host a street festival on Sunday 3rd July 12 noon - 6pm. The aim of the festival is to create a space for people to meet, to participate in activities and to spur on some revitalisation of the area. Generous support has duly followed from The Wellcome Trust, The Guardian, King's Cross Central, Islington Council, BVMO, Team Cally, Peabody, Big Lottery Fund, Homes for Islington, Metropolitan Police and The Make Lounge and many more.
On the back of the hugely successful Bemerton Festival 2010, there was plenty of appetite from local residents and community organisations to create a new, bigger event that not only includes the whole community but introduces ‘The Cally’ to wider London audience.
The festival marks an important period for the Cally, what with being on the fringe of the great King's Cross Central development, which has both inspired and supported the event. The festival is taking lead from The King’s Cross development, which is strongly associated with culture and the arts and is filtering out into the local community. Members from the wider area and from all over London are encouraged to come down for the day to experience the Caledonian Road in all its glory.
TFL will suspend all traffic for one day along a 300m strip of Caledonian Road, to be transformed into a cultural street festival, which celebrates art, music and theatre. It will comprise of an 80-piece craft and food market, a live music stage, street theatre, street art, live coverage of the Wimbledon Tennis Finals, children's activities and creative workshops. Local shops and restaurants will be open for the day and spilling out into the streets, showcasing some of Islington’s finest gems. This boutique-style event will engage its visitors in pockets of entertainment and activity throughout the site. Expect everything from a giant octopus being brought to life on the day, an open busking stage, a bustling interactive arts market, to pop-up exhibitions.
Having struggled through the recession, the high street needs encouragement and support to regenerate the area and fill its empty shops. Businesses and creative people from all over London will be joining together to make this festival happen.
For more information please contact: Anya Johnson
Email: anya@thecallyfestival.com
Tel: 07896 183 750
