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Quirky and quality mix
• HOLLOWAY Arts Festival, now in its seventh year, was a huge success. In total, more than 8,000 people have taken part in this year’s packed programme of over 40 events, which showcased the work of local artists and film-makers.
Not only have there been some great new events like stand-up comedy for children, with Paul Lyalls and Simon Munnery, and Archway Open House (artists exhibited their work in venues around Holloway and Archway) but also plenty of familiar activities like the arts and crafts stalls in the Arts Zone on the Big Day Out at Whittington Park and our film festival, Reel Islington Screenings.
Turner Prize winner Rachel Whiteread and Marina Lewycka, best-selling author of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, were part of the Connecting Conversation events at Archway Methodist Hall. Simon Chinn, producer of Oscar-winning Man On Wire, did a post-film question-and-answer at Reel Islington Screenings, and one of Britain’s best-loved performance poets and festival patron, John Hegley, entertained families at North Library.
On a Saturday night I had the pleasure of hearing Mark Swartzentruber, a top-class concert pianist, playing in a marquee in Landseer Gardens. I also experienced that rare feeling of community when I participated in The Big Sing, a packed singing workshop led by singing teacher extraordinaire, Angela Reith, at Emmanuel Church.
Many events were free, particularly at the Big Day Out in Whittington Park. On behalf of Rowan Arts Project, the Holloway-based charity which produces the festival, a big thank-you to all our funders, partners, venues, volunteers and the Tribune for their support and for helping make the festival such a great success. Roll on 2010 for the next one!
LOAN TRAN
Trustee, Rowan Arts Project
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