Talk of the Town: Hammersmith & Fulham Arts Festival

An arts festival promoting disabled artists and creativity across the globe is back for its sixth year running, writes Kate Dennett.

Hammersmith and Fulham Arts Festival, which is on from June 1-9, focuses on diversity in a celebration of work from artists across the globe.

With events ranging from Jamaican music to international photography on offer, the festival promotes many artists, musicians and producers from across Hammersmith & Fulham.

The Arts Fest will also be hosting five nights of theatre, dance, music and art in celebration of disabled artists called JOY for the second year running.

For the chance to see these incredibly talented artists in action, head down to the accessible Lyric Studio at Lyric Hammersmith from June 5-8.

Festival chairwoman Trea Owens said: “JOY at the Lyric reflects the ethos of the Arts Fest which is to celebrate achievement, share experiences and to enjoy and promote diversity,

inclusion and community, by presenting a four-day season of disabled led work in indoor and outdoor venues.”

The Unity Choir, a free outdoor music performance that will take place in Lyric Square, have been commissioned by JOY to perform on June 8.

The choir brings together 30 disabled and non-disabled residents to show the power that music has on people’s lives.

The music event is also given a local touch as it draws inspiration from resident’s experiences and some of their favourite things about the borough.

Peckings in Ashew Road will be joining the festival by exploring the history of music production in the borough.

They will host Bring a Record/Reggae Heritage Exhibition as part of Arts Fest alongside Bass Culture UK and Outerglobe.

There will be an exhibition and other activities to celebrate Jamaican music.

Whether you are an avid fan of Jamaican music or want to hear some new music, this is the place to be.

The Festival producer Flora Herberich said: “We are keen to engage the various communities in the borough and we aim to highlight the work and achievements of local artists, so reggae history in Shepherd’s Bush presented itself as a strong choice.

“I think Peckings is quite remarkable – surviving in the music industry for 60 years, and so we wanted to involve them in the festival.

“Another partner is Outerglobe, a music initiative run by local artist/producer Debbie Golt, she’s a long-term collaborator with the festival and local community arts champion – she brings a strong female perspective and participation element to the project.

We’re really excited about this partnership and hope to build on this year’s events in the future.”