Over 500 people from across Haringey came together at Alexandra Palace on Sunday for the Haringey Feast, a unique event celebrating culture and creativity in the borough.
Participants sat together around three giant tables to enjoy a showpiece event featuring over 200 musicians and performers – compered by The Voice winner Jermain Jackman – alongside nourishing soups made using recipes from across Haringey’s diverse communities.
Highlights of the programme included performances from renowned rappers Dun D and Shocka, poet Kieron Rennie, beatboxer Jasmine Kahlia and cellist Angel K Turpov, as well as mind-bending contemporary circus skills from young members of the Jackson’s Lane Youth Circus, and an immersive performance combining dance, spoken word and music co-ordinated by Bernie Grant Arts Centre.
The event was co-produced with the local community, with over 2000 residents taking part in 170 workshops ahead of the event to create everything from tablecloths, ceramic bowls and lanterns through to unique performances and soup recipes.
These creations will continue to live on in Haringey’s communities, having been donated to local care homes, schools and libraries following the event.
Leader of Haringey Council, Cllr Peray Ahmet, and Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Leisure, Cllr Emily Arkell, said:
“We were delighted to join residents at the Haringey Feast on Sunday. The event was such a wonderful showcase of all the artistic talent that exists in our borough, and a reminder of the vibrant cultural scene which we have here in Haringey.
“As a council we have committed to putting culture and creativity at the heart of everything we do, and we have an ambitious vision for growing Haringey’s cultural sector in the coming years. We will be building on the success and legacy of this event as we put this vision into action.”
Deputy Mayor of London for Culture and the Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE, said:
“Haringey Feast celebrated the rich and diverse culture from across the borough with a fantastic programme of events led by local creatives for everyone to enjoy. The Mayor and I are proud to support events like these, which bring communities together and help build a better London for everyone.”
Twice-Grammy-nominated music producer Wizzy Wow worked together with young people to produce two new songs which they performed at the event. He said:
“Growing up, I wanted someone like me to interject and help. I owe it to the younger versions of me to give back and win for them. I teach a sense of unity and communication. This is not only about music, but about helping young people develop skills, patience and give them the future confidence to launch a music career.”
Rapper Dun D expressed his gratitude for having the opportunity to perform at the Haringey Feast, saying:
“I am delighted to be a part of Haringey Feast and am grateful for the chance to perform alongside both emerging and established local artists, some of whom I have had the pleasure of working with in the past.”
Haringey-based poet Kieron Rennie talked about his pride at seeing the feast come together, saying:
“It’s inspiring to see the breadth of creativity we have here in the borough. My goal has always been to build a bridge, connecting people through creative expression, so it’s a proud moment to do this in the place I call home.”
Luciano Rocha whose House of Frisson collective worked with LGBTQ+ community groups to customise the cups, trays, and bowls used during the event said:
“It has been a great opportunity for those who like arts and crafts and would like to learn some collage techniques on ceramics and get to know other creative people in a fun environment.”
Nicola Woollon, founder of Quilt Club, who worked together with residents to create unique table cloths for the event, summed it up perfectly:
“Haringey Feast is a love letter to our diversity and everything that makes our borough of London spectacular.”
Local resident Adrien Schweitzer said:
“As someone who both lives and works in Haringey it was an absolute pleasure to come along to the Haringey Feast. What a brilliant celebration of local art and culture, a true reflection of what makes our area so special. The range of performances really highlighted the local talent we have amongst us- and the soup was delicious. An added treat was seeing some artwork that the pupils from the Mulberry Primary contributed.”
Supported by the Mayor of London through the Cultural Impact Award, the Haringey Feast was delivered by Haringey Council in partnership with the borough’s cultural organisations. Haringey was awarded a Cultural Impact Award as part of The Mayor of London’s London Borough of Culture in 2019 with £200,000 funding for their ambitious project which demonstrated a positive impact on the local communities of the borough.
Find out more on the Haringey Feast website.