THE NARROW WAY FREE

Your Guide to Summer in Central WELCOME

Hello and welcome to The Narrow Way, your guide to events going on in and around this summer. As Hackney’s second largest town centre, Hackney Central cuts a path directly through the heart of the most exciting, dynamic and creative borough in . Its international cuisine, green spaces, great pubs and period buildings have singled it out as a destination for visitors to the capital. But really, it’s the people that really make Hackney so special. CONTENTS CREDITS Hackney Council’s summer programme of events around Narrow Way aims to bring Page 1 Design & Production these people together in celebration of this Welcome Wired Canvas diverse and rich community, utilising the Page 2 www.wiredcanvas.com public space and bringing footfall to the Events Programme 2014 high street. From July to September, events Page 3 Editor include: a one-day circus festival, walking- What Do You Say, Hackney? Betty Wood tours of the area, a fashion catwalk, giant Page 4 www.bettywood.co.uk games, a living archive treasure hunt as well What Hackney said as arts and craft workshops, street food and Pages 5-6 Words performances throughout the summer. Regeneration Projects Tom Jenkins Inspired by Hackney’s rich history – its Page 7 www.jenkinstom.tumblr.com historic ties to the fashion industry and its The Creative Lighting Project & Betty Wood present as a creative centre of innovation – Page 8 the programme provides entertainment for Argun’s Shopfront Content all ages whilst showcasing the talent within. Pages 9-10 Hackney Council In addition to events, we’re creating Features & Interviews www.hackney.gov.uk opportunities across the board for local Pages 11-12 residents, businesses and visitors in the area Map of Hackney Photography by reinvigorating the town centre as part Pages 13-14 James Rawlings of our extensive regeneration scheme. We Living Archive Treasure Map www.jamesrawlings.co.uk talk to some of the people involved in these Pages 15-16 enterprises, and find out how they benefit The Fashion Hub Front Cover Illustration local residents. Pages 17-18 Emily Robertson We invite you to join us as the summer Hackney Timeline www.emilyjaynerobertson.com fun begins. Pages 19-20 Kids Corner Printing Page 21 Blackmore Print Limbic Productions & Village Fete www.blackmore.co.uk Page 22 Mimbre

1 #TheNarrowWay EVENTS PROGRAMME 2014 JULY

Narrow Way to Runway St John Village Fete Pop to the Shops 12th - 13th July 12th July 26th July / 2nd August Narrow Way, Mare Street, E8 1HR St John at Hackney, Lower Clapton Rd, E5 0PD Narrow Way, Mare Street, E8 1HR Special walking tours and fashion Street performers along with a host of Be part of the shopping audio project with promenade will link the Barbican Ram’s lively entertainment will bring St John . The Decorators are Place Market with the Narrow Way. Summer Fete onto the Narrow Way. setting up their Audio Market Stall on the See pages 16 for more info. There will also be a guest appearance Narrow Way for you to share and record from and a fashion dog your stories and memories. Children’s Giant Games on Narrow Way show organised in collaboration with craft will take place through the day with From 12th July onwards CREATE / Barbican. Also help to paint a a guided heritage walk and talk in the Narrow Way, Mare Street, E8 1HR giant games structure we’ve been building afternoon at St Augustine’s Tower. Look out for the four giant game before it’s installed on Narrow Way for installations set to feature on the Narrow everyone to play with (see Giant Games Way throughout the summer. Don’t miss afternoon below). the special games day on 9th August too! See page 21 for more info. See page 21 for more info. AUGUST

Giant Games Afternoon Breakers Yard Launch Event Living Archive Treasure Hunt 9th August, 1pm - 3.30pm 12th August 24th August Come down to Narrow Way and play the Sutton House, High St, E9 6JQ Narrow Way, Mare Street, E8 1HR giant games in the street! Draw pictures Art workshops, flag making, music, dance This self-guided tour created by Lemonade with elastic bands, test your dexterity on the and a flashmob are all part of this event and Laughing Gas will take in local Giant Buzzer Loop, aim for the hook on to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy treasures, revealing facts about the place the Bimini Ring Toss and navigate around of Hackney. and the people who live and work here. Hackney Village on the Labyrinth Table. There will be a quest to collect items along the way and a few surprises too. SEPTEMBER See page 13-14 for more info.

Hackney One Carnival Mimbre Walking Tours 14th September, 2pm - 8pm 20th September October - November www.hackney.gov.uk/carnival Narrow Way, Mare Street, E8 1HR www.hackney.gov.uk/hc-cultural-programme Hackney’s energetic carnival parade Following the success of last year’s event, These guided walks will take in local will once again bring colour, music Mimbre is set return with a programme landmarks underneath the glow of the and dancing to borough’s streets. The of exciting activities including acrobats, street’s forthcoming heritage inspired celebration will also include performances cabaret, street theatre, workshops, Maypole lighting installation. from some of Hackney’s best young street dance, juggling, food and craft stalls. See page 7 for more info. musicians on stage at Hackney Town See page 22 for more info. Hall Square. Photo (right): Mimbre Maypole street dance

Open House London Living Streets: Street Party 20th-21st September 27th September www.londonopenhouse.org www.hackney.gov.uk/hc-cultural-programme London’s largest annual festival of Everyone is invited to the party to architecture and design will feature a celebrate the Narrow Way as a car-free number of special openings in Hackney community space. Event details will be buildings, spaces and neighbourhoods. announced soon.

2 Photos by Alice Ralph WHAT DO YOU SAY, HACKNEY? Interviews by Betty Wood WE ASKED LOCAL RESIDENTS WHAT THEY THINK THE BEST THING ABOUT HACKNEY IS...

Corinthia: “I’ve been a resident of Hackney Genevieve: “I like the new restaurants and Chris: “I like the social mix, and the way it for 15 years, I love the diversity and the cafés that are popping up, and how well plays out in the restaurants here. You can get culture. I like Hackney Heart – a lot of they’re mixing in with the older shops – it Vietnamese, Turkish, classic English greasy people go there who are trying to open up feels very multi-cultural. I just recently spoon. Go to Victoria Park, you get modern their own businesses, it’s a great place for went to a gig Oslo which was pretty rad, gastro-food, and great Mexican food. young entrepreneurs and designers.” and I really like the Pacific Social Club on There’s some great food here, and it really Clarence Road.” reflects the make-up of the borough.”

Zweli: “I grew up in Hackney. I love the fact Tessa: “My favourite thing about Hackney is Chris: “My favourite thing about Hackney that the people who live here are from such all of the lovely green spaces, the marshes, at the moment is Chatsworth Market: it’s different walks of life. It’s changed quite a the great cafés – the atmosphere really! just up the road, and it has a lovely mix lot in recent years, and I like a lot of the One of my favourite places at the moment of goodness!” new bars that have opened up. I go to The is the Scandi café Cooper and Wolf, on Claptop Heart, and The Chatsworth Road.” which is really nice.”

Jane: “Lots of tourists that visit London go Latoya: “My favourite thing is the family Michael: “Hackney is a lovely place to live. to Hyde or Regent’s Park when actually, community – everyone knows each other. Every morning I go swimming at London Victoria Park is as beautiful and has You can walk out of your house and bump Fields Lido. This morning, I had a lovely many lovely things to do in it. It’s got into someone you know, everyone’s so swim and then walked through the park. some amazing stuff for kids there; great friendly. I’ve lived in Hackney all my life, but It was full of people lying on the grass, playgrounds and fountains, and lovely cafés my favourite place is Victoria Park – I always enjoying the sunshine, but even on a rainy with great coffee. For a free thing to do, it’s a go there.” day, you get people in the Lido. It’s a great wonderful place to go for the day.” community facility.”

3 #TheNarrowWay Images from Creative Commons WHAT HACKNEY SAID Research by Betty Wood WE DELVE INTO THE ARCHIVES TO FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT HACKNEY THROUGH THE CENTURIES – GOOD AND BAD

Name: Unknown, 1851 Name: Samuel Pepys, 1664 Name: Herbert Snell, 1937 Occupation: Street vendor of ginger beer Occupation: MP and diarist Occupation: Labour Leader, House of Lords On street-trade in the area: “I used to be On Hackney’s lush landscape: “[There’s On Hackney Town Hall: “It embodied the off early on Sunday mornings, sometimes to nothing I like more than to go] ‘‘away into ideal of social living which they would have Hackney Marsh, and sell my [ginger] beer the fields to take the air” in Hackney, “which I to keep going. It was not the property of there to gentlemen going a fishing. Others every day grow more and more in love with.” the Mayor and the Corporation; it was the were going there to swim.” Painting: John Closterman, 1690s property of the people of Hackney.”

Name: Rose Lowe Name: Dick Coppock, 1934 Name: Gus Elen, 1899 Occupation: Author and local resident Trade Union chair of LCC’s Parks Committee Occupation: entertainer On Victoria Park: “Here you could do such Victoria Park’s lido: “As good as anything On the charm of the East End: “You’d fancy a lot. You could take a boat out, but it was a around London owned privately and let out you’re in Kent, Or at Epsom if you gaze bit dangerous as the boys would try and turn to bathers at twice the price. We shall bring into the mews. It’s a wonder as the landlord, your boat over, and she couldn’t swim. There the seaside to East London. Why this is as doesn’t want to raise the rent, because we was also dancing around the bandstand.” good as Margate.” have such snobby distant views...” “WIV A LADDER AND SOME GLASSES YOU COULD SEE TO

Name: Annie Spike Name: Montague Williams, 1885-86 ‘ACKNEY MARSHES, Occupation: Author, seamstress and local resident Occupation: Magistrate On real estate in the early 20th century: Warning a victim about the dangers of IF IT WASN’T FOR THE “It was January, the middle of winter and ’s Boundary Estate slums, part of we moved into Church Street. We had two modern Hackney borough: “It is as certain bedrooms and a kitchen unfurnished. My as the day is long that if you go out to get ‘OUSES IN BETWEEN.” Dad went down to Petticoat Lane on Sunday drunk, and have money in your pocket, you morning and bought the home. We went out will, in this neighbourhood, get robbed.” – GUS ELEN, 1899 that night and had a good time.” Image: Leslie Ward (Creative Commons)

4 Visit Brew for Two, 101 Morning Lane, Hackney E9, or at St John at Hackney from 12th July CAFE COMMUNITY www.StJohnatHackney.org.uk / www.BrewForTwo.co.uk Morning Lane’s popular Brew for Two is coming to St John-at-Hackney.

Eylem Binboga, proprietor of the Brew for Two café on Morning Lane, jokingly refers to herself as the community gossip. “But in a nice way,” she says. “This June we’ve been here for two years. There are always meetings taking place here: the church, new businesses and developments. I witness this and get a lot of information. I’m open about sharing it, I’ve almost become an information centre for what’s happening around here.” It’s particularly fitting because Binboga will soon be opening a new café in the information centre within the grounds of St John at Hackney, as part of the church’s ongoing desire to “open our building for wider business and community use,” explains Fr Rob Wickham. She’s optimistic for a 12 July opening, which coincides with the summer programme of events happening on Narrow Way and Hackney Central over the coming months. “I think it’s still going to be called Brew for Two, but maybe ‘Brew for Two in the Churchyard’ or something similar, because it’s going to be an extension in a way,” she says. “I think we’re going to be doing things gradually, making sure the building’s in bring people together and be at the heart of cosmopolitan,” she says proudly. keeping with the wishes of the church and the community, I hope.” “It’s become more arty, more creative the council. We’ll have to start as a takeaway Binboga emigrated to Hackney from and much more pleasant for families with – there isn’t a closed space where you can Turkey with her family in the late 1980s children. I love Hackney.” eat and drink – but we’ll be looking to cater and has spent the majority of her adult life or offer our services to individuals who in the borough. How does the Hackney of benefit from the church, for weddings, etc. today differ? “It’s changed dramatically: Words: Tom Jenkins We’re hoping to do things like waffles and it’s become friendlier; it’s become more Photo: James Rawlings crepes and burgers. People who have found out about it are really excited. It will be really nice to have somewhere to grab a bite to eat whilst enjoying the church grounds, or an ice cream for the children.” And how does she see the wider role of the café in the community? “It will bring people together, a meeting place, a gathering point. Once we have a closed space we want to keep the supper club idea we’re already doing at Brew for Two, where we invite local street food stall holders who want to start their own little kitchen, to use the premises to run their supper club.” She adds, “If we can get permission, we’d like to hold outdoor film events, so we can show films for children or show films from different countries, so we can really

9 #TheNarrowWay A TAIL OF TWO MERMAID FABRICS PREMISES

We explore the history behind the service to the local community. From 1636 Mermaid Tavern was heavily engrained in site of one of Narrow Way’s most a tavern stood in the spot of what is now local life, and during the first half of the established businesses Mermaid Fabrics. One of the most famous 18th century, it even served as host to local of Hackney’s public houses, The Mermaid court proceedings before it was eventually Mermaid Fabrics has recently had a Tavern was a favourite drinking hole of demolished in 1845. face-lift, with new signage installed as part Hackney’s bourgeois class, with Samuel Today, Mr Salah’s business, whose name of the council’s shop front scheme – a Pepys amongst its frequent clientele. It was takes inspiration from its historic forerunner, part of their wider-ranging regeneration at The Mermaid Tavern where he “played is an established fixture on the high street. programme. But its freshly painted façade shuffle board, ate cream and good cherries.” Cherries and ale have been swapped at and burgeoning shelves of brightly coloured We suspect he probably drank a bit too! Mermaid Fabrics for yards of cottons and fabrics give little indication of the shop’s Through its time as a tavern, The silks, and court proceedings have made historical legacy, which goes back hundreds Mermaid also featured pleasure gardens, way for curtain alterations and made-to- of years… freak shows and a bowling green. It was measure window dressings – but a mutual The shop’s owner Salahi Salah grew from the pleasure gardens that balloon commitment to the local community and up in Hackney, and took over the business pioneer James Sadler (1753–1828) launched customer service continues. from his father. Having been in the premises two balloon flights to mark the Prince of for more than 30 years, he’s seen a lot of Wales’ birthday on 12 August 1811, to the Visit Mermaid Fabrics at 364 Mare Street, E8 or changes through the decades, and has glee of some 3,000 spectators, floating past online at www.mermaidfabrics.co.uk. become a fixture of community life. But St Augustine’s Tower and out to Tilbury even before his family set up business at 364 Fort were he landed 73 minutes later. As you Mare Street, the site had earned its stripes in might deduce from its eclectic facilities, The Words: Betty Wood

10 MAP OF HACKNEY CENTRAL

U THIS WAY TO R S W CLAPTON I C THIS WAY TO THIS WAY TO K SQUARE R HACKNEY O HACKNEY A D E MARSH DOWNS LAN ST JOHN AT

N H HACKNEY CHURCH O A A NE M ME LA H R R TON UR SUT TON TO DALS S R N T HI HACKNEY R O HOUSE GH W ST OA REET DOWNS D W

A

HACKNEY Y CENTRAL

FASHION HUB ANE GRAHAM ROAD ING L MORN

HACKNEY THIS WAY TO C VICTORIA THIS WAY TO TOWN HALL H A PARK T H + LIDO THIS WAY TO A M HACKNEY BETHNAL P MARE STREET MUSEUM +LIBRARY HACKNEY L RIC PICTURE HOUSE GREEN A HMO C ND ROAD E

11 #TheNarrowWay Illustration by Alice Ralph www.wiredcanvas.com

U THIS WAY TO R S W CLAPTON I C THIS WAY TO THIS WAY TO K SQUARE R HACKNEY O HACKNEY A D E MARSH DOWNS LAN DALSTON ST JOHN AT

N H HACKNEY CHURCH O A A NE M ME LA H R R TON UR SUT TON TO DALS S R N T HI HACKNEY R O HOUSE GH W ST OA REET DOWNS D W

A

HACKNEY Y CENTRAL

FASHION HUB ANE GRAHAM ROAD ING L MORN

HACKNEY THIS WAY TO HACKNEY EMPIRE C VICTORIA THIS WAY TO TOWN HALL H A PARK LONDON FIELDS T H + LIDO THIS WAY TO A M HACKNEY BETHNAL P MARE STREET MUSEUM +LIBRARY HACKNEY L RIC PICTURE HOUSE GREEN A HMO C ND ROAD E

12 THE FASHION

For more information, visit: HUB www.HackneyFashionHub.co.uk

Hackney Central will soon become with willing participants able to gain Photo (Above) © Olivia Rose, i-D, 2014. Models: the focal point for the borough’s sewing and stitching, machinery operation, (Left) LouLou Aherne at Profile Models and (Right) enviable fashion reputation. inspecting and measuring and health and Sophie Wilkinson. safety skills. With a rich history as the centre of Hackney Fashion Hub will be the focal Photo (Below) © Olivia Rose, i-D, 2014. Models: London’s textiles industry in the 1800s, to point for the borough’s rich heritage and (Left) Shorai and (Right) Kuda Robinson. its position today as one of Europe’s most its continued and enviable international exciting hotbeds of new and established reputation as a fashion force. Words: Tom Jenkins. fashion talent, the borough of Hackney could be considered a ‘fashion hub’ in itself. Now construction on an actual fashion hub is underway on Morning Lane. Framed by two seven storey landmark buildings designed by Adjaye Associates, the hub will include retail outlet space – some of which has already been snapped up by revered British brands such as Aquascutum and Pringle – high quality food and drink outlets and pedestrianised and open spaces, encouraging people to visit and remain in the Hackney Central area. But it’s not just about buildings; it’s about people. The development will create hundreds of jobs, including sales, manufacturing, hospitality and security roles, the majority of which will be filled in conjunction with Hackney’s Ways into Work scheme, which connects businesses with local residents looking for work. Out of 48 employees currently employed on site, it is estimated that applicants on the scheme filled 28 of those positions. Apprenticeships and training opportunities are also available. Fledgling designers and start-ups will be supported via a ‘Stitching Academy’ and a subsidised manufacturing and sampling space. The former will provide a fascinating crossover with the apprenticeship scheme,

15 #TheNarrowWay CREATE 12TH – 20TH JULY / RAM PLACE, LONDON, E9 6LT

Mural by RUN. Courtesy Barbican Art Gallery.

NARROW WAY TO RUNWAY: HACKNEY’S FASHION CONNECTION

Create talk us through their Arlette, Kelly Saw and Meuhui Liu, a participative Lego dress promenade by summer programme of events, craftspeople Sebastian Tarek, Sahar designer Anne-Sophie Cochevelou and which explores Hackney’s fashion- Freemantle and Queenie and Ted, who Camoufleur, a recreation of one of Jean roots in collaboration with the will all be giving demonstrations of their Paul Gaultier’s haute couture pieces in Barbican. work. The event space will also host a moss and living plants by The Vivisector. programme of performances, day and Other events include free walking From 12th–20th July, in partnership night, including talks and workshops tours of the area. Hackney Historical with the Barbican, Create present Ram with artists, photographers and fashion Society will be exploring the borough’s Place Fashion Market this summer. industry professionals, designer James historic connections to the fashion and Located just off Morning Lane, and Long, film-maker Kathryn Ferguson, and textile industries on 12th July, and pattern inspired by the Barbican’s exhibition, The performance artist The Divine David. pioneers Patternity will be traversing Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Opening the market on Saturday Hackney’s streets on 20th July in search the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, a street market 12th July, is Vogue Goes Rogue – a of stripes, encouraging you to take will be held on Ram Place, as well as procession of fashion totems, from the inspiration from the street and see the a pop-up café-bar and event space to Barbican Centre to Ram Place, created world around you a little differently. the adjacent derelict building, which is by fashion designer, stylist and promoter Evening events entry is on a first been transformed by artists in the weeks of disco basement, Vogue Fabrics, and come first served basis, with wristbands building up to the event. decorated by some of London’s leading distributed daily from 11am from the Market stall holders are a mix of designers including: Craig Lawrence, Barbican market stall on the day of emerging local talents and celebrated Louize Harries and Laura Shepherd. each event. designers, including: Jelka Quintelier, Exclusive performance events also include Visit www. CreateLondon.co.uk for more details. 16 The first mention of Hackney dates back to the Saxon period. During Tudor times, the area became a favoured retreat for nobility 1895 because of its beautiful landscape and excellent hunting. By 1593, Mare Street was a distinct settlement that included the Flying Horse Inn – a staging post – the Nag’s Head and the Horse and Groom. In 1695, Mare Street had only 23 residents, but by 1729, it was the most populous district in the parish. Tramways were built in 1873, and after WWI, the area became more industrial. During WWII, the area was bombed heavily, destroying many of its historical Georgian houses. By the 1990s, Mare Street had become a mix of low-rise factories and mixed institutional buildings.

Images: Hackney Archive

18TH CENTURY 19TH CENTURY

1791

1791 – Mare Street Narrow Way, ‘Hackney View’ looking north towards the old church, showing the and the raised footpath bridge over it.

1895 – (Top) St John’s churchyard, looking south-west towards Mare Street; showing Hackney Tower and Rowe Chapel.

1867 – Amhurst Road and Mare Street. 1867 HACKNEY THROUGH THE AGES THE THROUGH HACKNEY

17 #TheNarrowWay 1908 – The Hackney Empire and Empire Mansions were all decorated on 28 May 1895 1908 for the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to open the new Hackney Library.

1943 – Throughout WWII, 891 bombs and rockets landed on Hackney, killing 736 people and injuring 2,303 people. 1943

1908 20TH CENTURY

1962 – Morning Lane, looking west from flats on Trelawney Estate and junction with Mare Street.

1965 – The Borough of Hackney is formed from the metropolitan areas of Shoreditch, and Hackney.

1969 – Mare Street, the Narrow Way looking north.

1962 1969

18 COLOSSAL COMPETITION – LIMBIC PRODUCTIONS

Fun gets supersized as the team Finally, back by popular demand is an return to Narrow Way with a set of expanded version of their elastic board giant games. game: “You create images with elastic bands, by stretching them around nails. We had Limbic Productions are returning to such a great reaction to this last summer, Narrow Way this summer. On site from 12th we decided to bring it back this year in a July, several new games will be introduced larger format”. this year, including a large wire buzzer loop. Iris and her team are hosting a The game, often used on smaller scales community engagement event on 12th July, in schools to explain electric currents inviting locals to come down and paint the and test dexterity in children, is a cross- wooden structures before they are fully VILLAGE FETE generational structure, fun for all ages – the installed on site. Later in the summer, on aim of all this summer’s games. 9th August, a mini-event will also be held, UK winner, Jermain Jackman “Last year, the game scenario we set inviting visitors to come down to Narrow will open St John at Hackney’s annual up was a bit too complex”, says Limbic’s Way to play and compete against others. summer fete event, which this year will Director, Iris Musel, “so this year, we wanted Visit www.Limbicproductions.com for details. take the theme of a traditional village to keep it simple, keep it fun and engage fete plus a nod to Hackney’s younger with the public by presenting something generations with a special music stage they’re familiar with.” Words: Betty Wood organised by Oslo Bar. Another game is the bimini ring toss: Photos: Limbic Productions “It’s a very simple game again, but we chose Father Rob Wickham will introduce it because it’s fun whilst also being physical, the fete with a speech about the new and it can become more complex when you developments surrounding St John at introduce rules to it meaning that people can Hackney. “This year, we hope the fete will engage with it how they wish”. showcase lots of the creativity that exists The games also touch upon the area’s in Hackney. We are surrounded by such rich history: “Last year, we did some wonderful people with wonderful skills and research into Hackney Central’s past and talents, and St John at Hackney aims to be a created the Hackney Village board game. community which supports this.” We wanted to integrate some of this Jermain Jackman will be signing research this into a new game for 2014, so autographs and meeting members of the we devised ‘Table Labyrinth.” public from 1pm until 3pm. The game takes players on a journey up The Summer Fete will take place on 12th July at St Narrow Way, or Church Street as it used John at Hackney Lower Clapton Rd, E5 0PD to be called, and features markers such as Hackney Brook and The Mermaid Tavern. Photo: Jorn Tomter - www.tomter.net

21 #TheNarrowWay VILLAGE FETE MIMBRE

The circus theatre company are back hip hop. You can come and take part in performances, singing, dancing and acting. on Narrow Way on 20th September a workshop, then later they’ll be doing a “The day brings together the professional with another one-day festival of maypole ceilidh using hip hop music.” artists we work with, as well as the young performances and workshops. That Juggler, Ian Marchant, will be on people we’re working with in a day to Narrow Way entertaining crowds with his celebrate all of the things that they do, and Following last year’s highly successful incredibly popular street-theatre juggling to celebrate Hackney!” one-day circus festival on Narrow Way, show during the day too. And if acrobatics isn’t your thing, in which drew more than 2,000 visitors to the Forster adds that the company are thrilled addition to the performances and workshops High Street, Hackney-based circus and to be part of 2014’s line-up, being local to the being held up and down the Narrow Way, theatre company, Mimbre, are back as part area themselves. “We do a lot of work with there’s also be street food, outdoor play of 2014’s summer events programme. young people in Hackney – which is where equipment that will turn part of the street into This year’s one-day event, on 20th we are based – in conjunction with housing an outdoor play area for the younger children, September, invites visitors to come down to associations, on estates, teaching young and a choreographed performance by Mimbre the Narrow Way and learn acrobatics, circus people acrobatics and street dance”, Emma Youth Company. Let the fun begin! skills, and even make their own juggling adds. “We work with performance spaces like For more information on Mimbre Circus Central, on balls. Building on the success of the 2013 Sadler’s Wells, the Roundhouse, and provide 20th September 2014, please visit www.mimbre.co.uk. programme, this year features a roster of young people from estates in Hackney with local cabaret artists and up and coming local opportunities to go off and perform with circus performers. “Folk Dance Remix are companies like that.” back, who were amazing last year”, Emma Mimbre are all about celebrating local Forster, Mimbre’s Executive Director and talents too – the cabaret acts for the day Project Manager for the event adds. “They are largely drawn from artists in the area Words: Betty Wood Photo: Jorn Tomter - www.tomter.net do a mix of maypole and folk dancing to who will be doing a mixture of musical Photos: Mimbre

22 © Hackney Council 2014. All rights reserved. Designed & produced by Wired Canvas - www.wiredcanvas.com #TheNarrowWay