Dulwich Literary Festival 2017 programme announced

Ali Smith, Alan Hollinghurst, Sam Leith, Henry Blofeld, Mihaela Noroc and many others to appear on the main weekend, 10-12 November. Additional events to take place throughout November, including a spooky All Saints Day special with Andrew Michael Hurley, a pop-up at West Norwood Feast and an evening in conversation with Robert Peston.

 

Dulwich Literary Festival returns this November with a striking line-up of speakers, including celebrated writer Alan Hollinghurst, Man Booker shortlisted Ali Smith, ITV Political Editor Robert Peston, renowned sports journalist Henry Blofeld, The Spectator’s Literary Editor Sam Leith and photographer and social media sensationMihaela Noroc. Presented by award-winning independent bookshop Dulwich Books, events will be hosted at various local venues including Dulwich College, Dulwich Picture Gallery and the bookshop itself. The 2017 programme includes something for everyone, with talks for children, walks for adults, ‘how-to’ workshops and thought-provoking discussions covering everything from sport and literature, to faith and global affairs.

 

Commenting on the festival programme, Susie Nicklin, owner of Dulwich Books said: “We are delighted once again to bring together some of today’s most celebrated authors, leading thinkers and local writers in Dulwich, to celebrate the best that words have to offer. In times of uncertainty we need to join together in celebrating the things that matter in our communities, whether feasting, worship, education or culture, and books and writers are the perfect way to link them. From Man Booker Prize-winning writers to a creative writing competition for all the young writers of Southwark, there are opportunities for all to participate and engage.”

 

Stand out events taking place across the main weekend include a unique evening with Ali Smith, who will celebrate the work of author and illustrator Tove Jansson at Dulwich Picture Gallery, a free exhibition of photos by Mihaela Noroc, who became a social media sensation with her images of women taken around the world, and a talk with Alan Hollinghurst, who will discuss his much anticipated new novel, The Sparsholt Affair, with the BBC’s Razia Iqbal.

 

Inspiring debate at the festival will be Political Editor Robert Peston, who will draw insights from his career in journalism to address the problems of our time and how we might put them right. Catherine Nixey will discuss the controversial findings of her new book The Darkening Age, which suggests early Christianity might be more violent, ruthless and intolerant than first thought. And, as new protest movements rock the political mainstream, Alexei Sayle, Courttia Newland and Francesca Rhydderch willlook back at dissidents who made history, discussing their contributions to a new anthology of stories re-imagining key moments of British protest.

 

As well as engaging ideas and debate, the festival will offer a number of sessions and workshops for visitors to celebrate pleasurable pastimes and new skills.  Veteran broadcaster Henry Blofeld will discuss a career in cricket with Nicholas Lezard, former National Trust chairman Simon Jenkins will lead a session on Britain’s best railway stations, Peter Fiennes will offer a guided tour of the remnants of the Great North Wood, and Anjula Devi will hold a tasting and book signing at the festival’s West Norwood Feast pop-up to explore the secrets of Indian cuisine.

 

Helping people to write clearly, correctly and persuasively, The Spectator’s Literary Editor Sam Leith will offer top tips from his latest book Write to the Point, award-winning illustration agency Scriberia will hold an interactive drawing session to encourage people to use images to think and communicate more effectively, and designerSusan Wightman will discuss the art and science of typography.

 

The festival will also cater for families, with two exciting children’s events and a short story competition for schools across Southwark. Picture book author and illustratorKate Pankhurst, a descendant of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, will lead an interactive session on fantastic women who changed the world, including fun role-play and craft activities. Local mums Lucy Reynolds and Jenna Herman will also run a free story-time session at the festival’s West Norwood Feast pop-up, reading from their book Parrots Don’t Live in the City. Expect plenty of squawking.

 

Tickets will go on sale on the festival’s website from this weekend. For tickets and more information, visit: http://dulwichliteraryfestival.co.uk/

 

Red Bull Music Academy Sound System Series Announced

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The Red Bull Music Academy Sound System series will bring a roaming pulpit of sun-drenched rhythms, triumphant beats and street-party antics to three UK cities this summer. Kicking off the mini tour in Bristol on July 5th, the series then veers North for a stop off in Manchester on the 19th, before a boomerang swing down to London’s illustrious Notting Hill Carnival on Monday 25th August.

Launching the tour, Bristol’s St. Pauls Carnival sees the Red Bull Music Academy Sound System stage graced by the inimitable king of house-kissed R&B, Jazzie B presenting ’25 years of Soul II Soul’. Formed initially as a sound system spinning records at house and street parties, it’s fitting that swift-fingered founding father tops the bill. Local boy Redlight goes b2b with Toddla T for a dancehall via 2-step special, self-confessed “Riddim Obsessives” Jus Now let loose some bass-laden Soca beats and Reprazent player DJ Krust knocks out his signature Bristol drumfunk. They’re joined by Black Butter boys My Nu Leng , Mensah’s dubsteppin’ alter-ego New York Transit Authority, house duo GotSome, and Débruit popping out the synth-heavy syncopated beat brawl that’s won him fans the world over.

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Onto the Manchester brigade, headed up by an exclusive carnival set from king of (the) jungle and Kiss FM heavy DJ Hype, who’s unrelenting torrents of drum’n’bass, breakbeat and hip-hop have made him one of his generation’s dancefloor pioneers, alongside local bass cartel lynchpins Murkage and Jamaican/Glaswegian outfit Mungo’s Hi Fi. Ninja Tune’s urban electrosmith and 2010 Red Bull Music Academy graduate Poirier, Levelz, grime fusion mechanic Chimpo and Sheffield’s reggae record mecca Sama Roots step in, with many more yet to be announced.

Completing the Carnival circuit, the Red Bull Music Academy Sound System stage touches down in London, bringing its Notting Hill throwdown back to the Westway. With the line-up set for release in early August, expect that same mashup of luminaries, legends and new blood to soundtrack the capital’s ultimate celebration of summer.

Find out more at redbull.co.uk/rbmacarnival