Touring the new Tara Arts theatre

Earlsfield has been lucky to have Tara Arts right at its heart since 1983 (read here for more about their history). In October 2014 they closed the theatre for a substantial renovation to update the fabric of the building and create a whole new venue. I was lucky enough to tour the new space recently with Jatinder Verma, the artistic director. It's a cliche, but his passion for the theatre and what they do within and beyond its walls shone through.

Even from the outside, the 1880s building combines respect for its heritage - the facade, the tree design that grows up the outside - with a modern sensibility.

The branching design reflects one of the original trees on site

The natural theme continues throughout the building. From the Devon earth theatre floor to the tree motif running through all sections of the building, there's a natural feel to the new theatre. From the tiny, bee-house containing courtyard to the green roof and solar panels, this is culture-meets-ecology on Garratt Lane.

Bricks from the original building have been painstakingly cleaned and re-used and combined with doors and woodwork imported from India and bright colour schemes (be sure to check out the loos...).

The new building has extended down to the basement with a green room and storage space, and now has offices and a rehearsal / classroom space above the theatre. It's accessible via lift and should provide useful venue hire for local groups too. The masterpiece is of course the theatre itself. I can't speak to the stagecraft side of things, but looking from the audience side the stage and surrounding space looks to lend itself to creative productions across lots of levels.

Tara Arts have a slew of new productions lined up, from Shakespeare to their own commissions, with the season starting in mid-September. I understand there will be a community open day soon for locals to come and have a look inside before the main season gets underway. Highly recommended!

If this has whetted your appetite, Tara Arts is looking for more volunteers: information and application forms are on their website.

Music for a summer evening concert

Join the South West Songbirds for music for a summer evening, featuring Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Thames String Quartet and including music by Gershwin, Chilcott, Whitacre and The Beatles on Thursday 7^th July 2016 at 7.00pm at St Andrew’s Church, Garratt Lane.

Tickets on the door: £8 adults, £4 children (under 3s come free!) 

All proceeds go to stem 4, stemming teenage mental illness and supporting teenage mental health  - find out more at www.stem4.org.uk

Bring a rug, a picnic hamper and some fizz to enjoy during the 30-minute interval – refreshments will also be available.

More info on  www.swsongbirds.com

Traditional Zulu song and dance live at GJ's

Get down to GJ's tomorrow night to see traditional Zulu song and dance and support Project Zulu, which supports educational projects for the Madadeni Township community, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. GJ's say:
"Project Zulu - 24 Zulu kids - fresh from KZN
 

Come and meet the kids and see them strut their stuff!
Springbok Legend Thinus Delport is an ambassador for PZ and will also be enjoying the performance with us, together with Sade Giliberti and Bongani Nxumalo!

We will be Braai-ing as always and selling Boerewors Rolls @ £3.50 straight from the Braai, all profits from the Boerewors rolls will go towards Project Zulu!"

Racing Demon with the Magdalen Players

The intrepid crew at the Magdalen Players have been in touch with an update on their upcoming show:

Racing Demon, our next production, is running from 19-21 May 2016. A David Hare play, this is a dark comedy about the challenges faced by a liberal priest trying to make his mark in the Church of England.

More info and buy tickets.

Earlsfield on the brink of a facelift

Readers of the FT online might have caught this nostalgic piece on Earlsfield in the shadow of major changes to the stadium.

"Walking these acres, you catch glimpses of its older, subsumed selves everywhere you look. On Wandsworth Common you can stand beneath trees Thomas Hardy would have known in their youths when he lived around the corner (his house is now four flats, of course, a loft extension to go with the blue plaque, all replete with prices that make them irrelevant to a writer of my generation)."

More about Thomas Hardy's house in this Telegraph article. He lived on Trinity Road from 1878-1881, a fact I can't believe I never knew.

I presume the article's author, Barney Norris, is a local resident, from his fond mention of Turn The Pages and Garratt Green. According to his agent he is a "critically acclaimed playwright, poet and author", and his debut novel is out in April. Clearly there are hidden literary depths to SW18: Hardy, Louis de Bernières (briefly resident on Garratt Lane) and now Norris.

Read the full piece online.

Free family show at Earlsfield Library

Build the People's Tower with Tara Arts

Tomorrow you're invited to help build and demolish a giant, fantastical cardboard building this Spring, as the latest project from Circulate, London’s flagship outdoor touring consortium kicks off in Earlsfield.

Tara Arts, world famous in the 'Field, will be bringing the work of internationally renowned artist Oliver Grossetête to South London this Spring, as people from the local community are invited to help build a unique, temporary and impressive new tower constructed entirely from tape and cardboard. Inspired by the architecture of Gaudi Batllo House in Barcelona, the Musgum mud huts of Cameroon and the iconic Burntwood tree, this one-off design will be both realised and demolished in just one day, marking the latest in a series of work from Circulate – a London-wide network of cultural organisations established to build on the success of London 2012's cultural festival.

People interested in contributing to the build can sign up to join Burntwood school students in assembling sections of the tower, set to alter the skyline of Earlsfield over the course of just one day. The work is the latest in a series of cardboard creations by the artist whose designs have been realised all over the world, with UK projects including constructions at Glastonbury Festival (2013), Torquay Festival (2013) and Merchant City Festival in Glasgow (2012).

Burntwood School, Burntwood Lane, London SW17 0AQ

Saturday 23 May 2015, 9am – 7pm

FREE to register to help make the building on Sat 23rd go online to book www.tara-arts.com

Free Earlsfield heritage events this spring

This year's Wandsworth heritage festival takes places between 23 May and 7 June. You can download a full programme of events, but I've picked out some local highlights:

Summerstown 182 Guided Walks

Saturday 23rd May - 2pm (Earlsfield section)
Saturday 6th June - 2pm (Tooting section)

These walks explore significant locations relating to the 182 men named on the war memorial in St. Mary’s Church, Summerstown, who lost their lives in WW1. The walk is split into two parts, a north section (Earlsfield) and a south section (Tooting) and both walks conclude with a viewing of the memorial in St. Mary’s Church.

• Meet outside St. Mary’s Church, Keble Street SW17
• FREE • Booking not required
For more information about the Summerstown 182 project see the website: www.summerstown182.wordpress.com

Archaeology and local history on Earlsfield’s doorstep - a family drop in session

Saturday 30th May - 11am-2pm

Organised by the Wandsworth Historical Society
Discover the history of the borough where you live using historic maps and by handling and identifying archaeological objects such as Roman pottery. Bring along anything interesting you have found in the ground!

• Earlsfield Library
• FREE • No booking required

The Wandle and London’s lost rivers

Thursday 28th May - 7pm

London’s river is the Thames, but forgotten rivers snake throughout the capital. Some, like the Wandle, are above ground, but rivers such as the Fleet are buried. By tracing their courses we can dive beneath the surface of London’s history. Tom Bolton is the author of London’s Lost Rivers and Vanished City.
• Putney Library
• FREE • No booking required.

And don't forget the special Green Plaque ceremony on 7 June.

Battersea Arts Centre fundraising appeal

The brilliant Battersea Arts Centre is battling on after an extremely serious fire last Friday. The BAC has made an official statement on the current state of events. At the time of writing this post nearly £61,000 had been donated to the Save Battersea Arts Centre appeal.

"At approximately 4:20pm on Friday 13 March a fire of devastating scale destroyed the Grand Hall and Lower Hall at the back of the town hall building that is home to Battersea Arts Centre. All staff and visitors were evacuated to safety.

Thanks to the brilliant efforts of the emergency services the front half of the building was untouched and is safe. The aim is for the front of the building to re-open to the public at 6pm today and all shows apart from Gecko’s Missing will run as scheduled.

Battersea Arts Centre has been overwhelmed by the outpourings of support on social media and by the generosity of more than 600 people who have already donated more than £14,000 towards the building repairs. Every contribution counts, and those who wish to support at this difficult time can donate via the fundraising page dona.to/bac012 set up by the National Fundraising Scheme.

Artistic Director and CEO David Jubb has written a blog on expressing his gratitude and also saying: ‘Today we start the next chapter. We want to get the shows back on and rebuild the building brick by brick’.

Whilst an investigation is mounted into the cause of the blaze, which is still unknown, any updates will feature on the homepage at bac.org.uk as well as on Twitter @battersea_arts @davidjubb."

Free community poetry workshop this Saturday

 Join Kayo Chingonyi for a free poetry workshop at South Thames College.


"The fourth and last of a four poetry workshop series based in the local community and running in parallel with workshops being run in HMP Wandsworth. The workshop will engage those new to poetry and writers of sonnets alike, enhancing creative writing skills, literacy, public speaking and performance skills. Finding a way with words will help to build self-confidence and communication skills. By throwing yourself into active learning and with a little bit of dialogue, debate and expression through writing participants will develop a greater understanding and better relationships with themselves, each other, poetry and their communities."


November 29, 2014

South Thames College
Wandsworth High Street
London
SW18 2PP

10.30am - 1.30pm

For more information on this workshop contact: grounded@safeground.org.uk.

Who'd like to join an Earlsfield book club?

Do you like reading? Do you like talking? Do you like talking about reading?

Earlsfield resident Gina has asked if there are any Earlsfield book clubs out there looking for new members.

More importantly, she's wondering if anyone would like to join her in starting up a new one? Gina suggests meeting up every few weeks or month to discuss a variety of books, possibly with a glass of wine and maybe even some cheese.

If you'd like to join please email Gina to let her know.

Likewise, if you're a local bar or restaurant and who'd welcome a monthly group of readers (and wine drinkers / cheese eaters), please get in touch.

Tara Arts comes to the Leather Bottle, Bar 366 and the Henry Prince Estate

Raga to Reggae on the Road: you might remember Tara Arts' successful music festival in November last year. Well, they were so impressed by the Earlsfield welcome that they're going on tour up Garratt Lane. Over the three days of the May bank holiday they'll be visiting the Leather Bottle, Bar 366, and Henry Prince Estate in turn:

Sat 3rd May The Leather Bottle Pub from 2-4pm - British-Bengali band Khiyo

Sun 4th May at Bar 366 from 3-5pm - Guiliano Modarelli

Mon 5th May in the Henry Prince Estate from 2-4pm - Javier Camilio & friends perform Cuban music

The concerts will be suitable for all ages. Check out the trailer from the original festival for a taste of what's to come:


Raga to Reggae 2013 Official Trailer from Tara Arts on Vimeo.

Spring concert with the Southwest Songbirds

On Saturday 29 March this local choir will be raising the roof at St Andrew's Church with their spring concert to raise funds for those who lost homes and livelihoods in the winter floods.

Tickets are £7.50 for adults and £5 for children and concessions - including a glass of wine or soft drink and canapes. The concert starts at 7.30pm.

Celebrating Christmas in Earlsfield

Feeling festive? This is a running roundup of Christmas celebrations in Earlsfield this year. More events will be added, so check back throughout December to see the latest.

Throughout December

Christmas trees and other festive foliage on sale outside Earlsfield library. Trees can be ordered between 1 and 15 December.

The Belle Amie advent calendar competition. Find out how you can win a prize every day!

Christmas light display at 24 Earlsfield Road - drop a donation in the box if you're passing.

Sunday 1 December onwards

The amazing ice rink is open at the Leather Bottle.

Friday 6 December

Charity event in aid of St George's Hospital, 7.30pm

Saturday 7 December

Christmas wine fair at the Earlsfield deli, with several stalls with different wines to taste. There will be approximately 15 wines to try, including a couple of 'natural' wines (no sulphites) and something called Ice Cider Wine. Discounts on the day for cases of six or more wines. Free entry, 2-6pm.

Christingle Service, St Andrew's Church, 4.30pm

Christmas Fair at the County Arms, 12-4pm

Friday 13 December

Christmas carols and mince pies outside Earlsfield station with Earlsfield Charity Events and Christ Church Earlsfield, 7.30pm.

Saturday 14 December

Free entry to Wandsworth Museum and a family class to learn how to make Christmas crackers and tree decorations, 1.30-4pm; free entry all day.

Get your Christmas costume on for a glass of fizz and a dance at GJ's Christmas party, 12 noon-2am

Saturday and Sunday 14-15 December

Christmas tree festival at St Mary Magdalene Church in aid of the Wandsworth Community Chaplaincy Trust, with a visit from Santa, stalls, music, carol service, raffle draw and more! Follow link for timings.

Sunday 15 December

Family carol service, 4-6pm followed by carols by candlelight with mulled wine and mince pies, Christ Church Earlsfield, 6.30-8pm

Carol service, St Andrew's Church, 6pm

Friday 20 December

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the Salvation Army drop-in Christmas meal. More information on how to volunteer (PDF).

Sunday 22 December

Christingle service for all ages with mulled wine and mince pies, Christ Church Earlsfield, 4-5.30pm

Christmas Eve

Crib service for children and adults, St Andrew's Church, 4.30pm

2-4-1 cocktails at Graffiti Bar, all night

Christmas Day

All-ages Eucharist, St Andrew's Church, 10am 

If that's not enough, check out other Christmas events around Wandsworth.

Wimbledon Art Studios open weekend

Wimbledon Art Studios are welcoming everyone to their latest open studio event and art show. The studios, located behind the Wimbledon Greyhound stadium, are the largest, single site art studio complex in Britain.

The dates for the open studio and art show are 21st - 24th November 2013.

• Thursday & Friday 1pm – 10pm (opening night: Thu 21st, 6pm - 10pm)
• Saturday & Sunday 11am – 6pm

They say:

"The 2013 Winter Open Studios Art Show (21st - 24th November) will provide a rare and exciting opportunity to interact with over 140 artists in their own individual creative spaces and buy art directly from them.

Showcasing work from the UK’s newest emerging talent to the well known & established, visitors can experience many of the creative disciplines including painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography, printmaking and furniture design."

More information and transport details can be found at the art studios' website.

Have a spooky good time with an Earlsfield Halloween

If you're a fan of ghoulies and ghosties and things that go bump in the night, you're in for a treat this Halloween in Earlsfield.

Several local pubs are putting on Halloween-themed events:

• Bar 366 has a raunchy take on Halloween for couple and single girls only on Friday 26 October.
• The Pig and Whistle on Merton Road has a fortune teller, bush tucker trial (booking required), and costume competition on Friday 1st November. Kids are welcome till 9.30pm.
• The Wandle is having a Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday 2nd November with live music and prizes for best costume.

 

If you're after something a little scarier, Tara Arts welcomes some fantastic authors who will tell ghost stories in Earlsfield cemetery on Friday 8 November (discount for Wandsworth residents).

For something more family friendly, the Wimbledon and Wandsworth NCT is hosting a Halloween party for parents and children on Wednesday 30 October. Both members and non-members are welcome.

If you're looking for a costume, check out the charity shops on Garratt Lane for ready-made costumes or the makings of something original.

The police are offering advice to anyone with concerns about Halloween and Bonfire Night to help make sure everyone enjoys the events.

See classic BBC serial live on stage

A local theatre group is reviving classic BBC radio programme Dick Barton - Special Agent. The Magdalene Players, who are based at St Mary Magdalene Church Hall on Trinity Road, will be presenting a new take on the hugely popular show.

Their "fun and frivolous" show includes a threat to the nation's tea supplies, a missing agent, Britain in peril, and tap dancing...

The performances run from 17 to 19 October and tickets are between £8 and £10. Book online to support this local group of enthusiastic actors.

What's on in Earlsfield this weekend?

Despite the cold snap, it's another great weekend in Earlsfield.

It's the second weekend of the Wandsworth Art Open House which opens artists' studios and houses across the borough.
On Saturday you can don a set of scrubs and check out the St George's Hospital open day from 10-3.
Community-spirited types should look out their wellies to take part in the community river clean up of the Wandle on Sunday.

And don't forget the Wandsworth Volunteering Fair on Thursday 17th for more opportunities to get involved in your local community.

Open House London: what's open in Wandsworth?

This year's Open House London is taking place on 21 and 22 September. Throughout the weekend, over 700 buildings will open their doors to curious visitors for free.

There are 18 venues to explore in the borough of Wandsworth, from the Battersea Power Station to the Pump House Gallery, Gala Bingo Hall and Royal College of Art Dyson Building. You can find the full list of Wandsworth venues on the Open House website.

Gala Bingo Hall (codepope on Flickr)

Get in a spin with Tara Arts in a musical on the move

On Saturday 14 September, Tara Arts and Circulate invite you to a "musical on the move" called Spin Cycle.

They say:

"Spin Cycle is a new show by Emergency Exit Arts, a leading light in outdoor arts. The essence of competitive games shows is taken into a performance on the streets and in town centres. The story tracks a team of competitors on an extreme shopping spree that ends with a challenge to everyone to come together to make a change to the way we live.

The audience encounters the Spin Cycle experience at a preliminary roadshow where they will be enticed to join a queue of extreme fans of the Spin Cycle cult. Once they have been invited into the roadshow they will be engaged in a playful and immersive experience that will sift people into teams based on their lifestyle choices.

Throughout the show the audience is guided by the Spinners, forty young people trained by EEA’s Street Arts Academy practitioners. Through text messaging and audience interaction anyone can be invited to become a Spin Cycle contestant."

The performance is free; meet at Tara Theatre on Garratt Lane at 7pm.