KCR Spring 2024 Magazine FINAL v2 Lower res - Flipbook - Page 34
Grand Junction Announces Elixir Festival
Grand Junction has announced its programme for Elixir Festival taking place from
12th April, celebrating Arabic artworks culturally resonant for local communities
and wider London audiences. Connecting the diverse cultures that make up West
London9s community, Elixir Festival will showcase a vibrant lineup of international and local contemporary artists as part of the two week-long festival. Hosted in
the Grade 1 listed Grand Junction at St Mary Magdalene9s in Paddington, Elixir
Festival will present a rich programme of theatre, music, workshops, and food
created by contemporary artists from the Middle East, North Africa, and Anatolia.
Created in partnership with Arts Canteen and Shubbak Festival, Elixir Festival is
rooted in the Arabic al-8iks+r is a symbol of healing and will serve as a remedy for
cultural connection.
Program highlights include:
" The Olive Jar, a play celebrating West London9s Arab communities and the extraordinary stories that ordinary people can tell. Created through workshops with
the community local to the Grand Junction, the play explores the rich heritage of
Londoners from Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Algeria and Saudi Arabia, and
beyond.
" Award-Winning Sister Duo The Ayoub Sisters present an unmissable evening of
masterful violin and cello playing infused by Arabic and Celtic in昀uence.
" Palestinian singer Ruba Shamshoum9s unique fusion of poetic dream
pop, jazz and Middle Eastern soul. Performing songs from her albums Shamat and
Risha telling riveting stories of femininity.
" A special Eid celebration edition of Grand Junction9s To The Table food sharing
event, featuring a community meal, music, comedy, storytelling and creative
activities.
" Jamarabia Live Music Sessions led by Syrian violinist Bassel Hariri (also known
as USTAVI) featuring a selection of classical Arabic Tarab songs and poems bringing together the 昀nest Arab artists in London.
Grand Junction is a multi-arts venue and community culture hub based at St
Mary Magdalene9s Church in West London. Its mission is to create and present an
eclectic and collaborative programme of music, arts and performance for young
people, families, and adults. Ten minutes9 walk from Paddington Station and
beside the Grand Union Canal, the church is one of the 昀nest Neo-Gothic churches
in the country. Managed by Paddington Development Trust, in 2019 the Grand
Junction project saw the church open for the 昀rst time as a venue. Grade 1 Listed,
the church was built in the 1860s and 1870s by the great Victorian architect G E
Street, who orchestrated the best artists and craftsmen of the day to produce a
masterwork combining architecture, sculpture, stained glass, and arguably the
most remarkable painted ceiling in an English parish church. From the mid-20th
century, the church fell into disrepair. It has since been lovingly restored, with a
beautiful new building with a café, learning studio and visitor facilities has been
added alongside, which was designed by Dow Jones Architects.
Established in 2010, Arts Canteen curate and produce events, exhibitions and
festivals that support emerging, mid-career and established artists from the Arab
world and surrounding regions, bringing their work to new audiences in the UK
and beyond. Shubbak Festival is the UK9s largest biennial festival of contemporary
Arab culture, bringing new and unexpected voices alongside established artists to
London every two years.
@GrandJunctionW2 | #ElixirGrandJunction | grandjunction.org.uk
Photos on right: Photo©EllieKurttz