If you’re in and around Nine Elms this weekend, (July 9th) check out the Happy Streets Festival on Thessaly Road. There’s theatre, live music and circus acts, as well as crafting, wellbeing activities, clothes upcycling workshops, sports activities, yoga sessions and talks for all the family. And the good news? It’s free.
The outdoor arts festival took place for the first time in 2019, and takes its inspiration from the artwork of the nearby railway underpass, designed by London artist Yinka Ilori.
This year the festival will be running at numerous venues across the area from midday to 6pm, including St George’s Primary School, the ROSE Community Clubroom, Carey Gardens and the Yvonne Carr Centre. There will also be additional activities at Stewarts Road Adventure Playground, Patmore Forest Gardens and St George’s Church.
So what exciting acts can you expect to see this year?
World Heart Beat music academy’s Second Line New Orleans Band will kick off proceedings at midday from St George’s Primary with their own brand of jazz music. While Neon Performing Arts will be performing and running music and dance sessions.
BAC Dance Academy and BAC Beatbox Academy will be showcasing their talents. While Divine Company, will be giving their usual amazing dance-circus performance. Look out for performers walking round the festival on stilts.
Queen of Clean – Heather Duster – will be performing a family-friendly drag street theatre show. And Local E33 Dance Company will be bringing their clever dance choreography to the festival.
Eek and Wild will be performing their fresh and fun pop-up dance performances for children and grown-ups. While Tootles & Nibs will be bringing their usual mix of games, parties, stories, dreams, and treasure hunts to the proceedings.
Nine Elms Art Ministry will also be delivering their popular workshops on mindfulness and wellbeing. And the popular Pizza Midwife will also be back with free pizza-making workshops to tickle your taste buds.
Happy Streets festival goers can also get involved in one of the UK’s largest ever paintings with Battersea-based visual artist Sol Sato’s Happy Feet.
It’s going to be hot, so bring water with you. There are plenty of water stations on site where you can refill your bottle. And there are lots of food stalls too. But you’re free to bring a picnic. There’s space to sit with a picnic blanket at Carey Garden and there are benches available at St George’s Primary and the ROSE Community Clubroom too.
How to get there
The nearest train stations are Vauxhall, Queenstown Road or Battersea Park. While Battersea Power Station is the nearest Tube station.
