The space in front of Waltham Forest’s striking Town Hall will fill with light, colour and laughter this summer. Fellowship Square, a new outdoor space for culture, will host an array of events including art installations, comedy and music.
The space continues the area’s legacy as the first ever London Borough of Culture. Inviting local residents and culture lovers from across the capital and further afield to enjoy a season of free and low cost events. Enjoy craft and fashion markets by day. And in the evening watch comedy, open-air cinema screenings and an illuminated, musical water installation.
Fellowship Square will bring the diverse communities of Waltham Forest back together in a shared and safe space. Local businesses, and community and arts groups will come together to join in the fun. Central to this space is the Fellowship Fountain. It’s an accessible water installation, with 144 individual jets which can be programmed to music. Multi-coloured lights illuminating the water jets add to the visual impact and bring the space to life, with nightly displays taking place this summer.
From Saturday 17th July, Fellowship Square’s summer season of events will take place over the weekends. As well as comedy performances and film screenings there’ll be poetry, visual arts, music and food. The season will culminate in a Fellowship Feast Community Picnic on Saturday 14th August.
The summer season events at Fellowship Square
Fellowship Films: Outdoor Cinema on 17th and 18th July 2021
This weekend of classic family favourites, contemporary feature films and locally-made shorts is programmed by Walthamstow film curators Stow Film Lounge and Leytonstone Loves Film. They’ll be shown on a large LED screen by the square. Why not bring a blanket and picnic to the grassy slopes or enjoy the food and drink on offer from local vendors?
Made In Waltham Forest Craft Market with music programmed by Continental Drifts on 24th and 25th July 2021
Curated by Leyton&Stone Designers, this market will celebrate a selection of designers and craftspeople from across the borough. Plus, local producers will offer an array of tasty food and drink. Continental Drifts’ programme of music will feature artists making the global truly local. Expect flash mob performances from local X7eaven Performing Arts Academy throughout the day and installations from Waltham Forest Muslim Culture Forum artists, Rezia Wahid MBE and Juma Harding-Dimmock.
Soho Theatre Comedy on 31st July 2021
This comedy take-over features a day of workshops and performances followed by a jam-packed evening show of comedians. Watch Simon Amstell, Shappi Khorsandi and Thanyia Mooretake perform. Plus, during the afternoon, Haven Coffee’s matinee stage show Laffuccino features a line-up of comedians from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
Waltham Forest Fashion Market with Emily Dust, Fedz and Movimientos on 7th and 8th August 2021
East London fashion hub The Fashion District brings together independent designers and curators of vintage clothing from across the borough. Shop ’til you drop with a wide selection of pre-loved and designer items to suit all budgets. Plus, a line-up of DJs curated by Continental Drifts will include a Local Global Special on Saturday with Emily Dust (Radio One and 1 Xtra) on the decks. Whilst Sunday sees Fedz and Movimientos creating the perfect musical accompaniment. Local community dance group Leaders Academy will also pop up with flash mob dance performances.
More art and culture events in Waltham Forest
Sound Garden, from 21st July to 25th August 2021 at various times
Sound Garden is a 15-minute self-led spatial audio installation from legendary electronic artist Max Cooper and young producers from Waltham Forest Music Hub. It explores mindfulness, William Morris patterns, and the surround sound from Fellowship Square’s hidden speakers.
Write Across Waltham Forest in association with the Royal Literature Society, from 17th July 2021
Join a quirky, cultural walking tour across the borough. Use QR codes to discover limericks, lyrics, sonnets and slam poetry from poets and wordsmiths including local talent Adreena Leanne, Mo Gallacio, Khaled Hakim, Lemzi, Paul McGrane and Patrick Evans.
Distant Fellowship art installation, 17th July to 15th August 2021 by Studio Carrom in association with the William Morris Gallery
See colourful William Morris-inspired, Indian-printed designs wrapped around the gateposts of Fellowship Square. And bright art project Here We Meet (8th to 15th August) by Soloman Sato and local art students, will hang from the trees.
After this summer’s launch, Fellowship Square will continue to offer a year-round arts and culture programme, drawing on Waltham Forest’s long history of creativity. Yippee!
Wondering why it’s called Fellowship Square? It’s named in honour of Waltham Forest’s most famous resident, designer and activist William Morris. Morris’ quote ‘Fellowship is Life’ is memorialised on Walthamstow Assembly Hall, adjacent to the town hall building. Recent works on the town hall have enabled the restoration of some of its original features from the 1930s. So, do check out these wonderful buildings while you’re there.
All these summer events will take place outdoors, so you can socially distance and stay safe. If you’re staying out for the summer, these events may take your fancy too!
When: 17th July – 14th August 2021
Where: Fellowship Square, Waltham Forest, London
£: Ticket prices vary, depending on the event. Some events are free
More info: wfculture.co.uk
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