Crouch End Festival 2022 in pictures

Published:
12:35 12 July 2022

There were laughs in the library, egg and spoon races at Stationer’s Park and a psychedelic light show at Hornsey Tower as the Crouch End Festival returned for its 10th anniversary.

In glorious sunshine, the three-day festival offered free comedy, music, stalls, drama, poetry and family entertainment on streets, parks and public spaces across the region.

Visitors enjoying the Jam Sandwich Street Art party
– Credit: David Winskill

MP Catherine West started the proceedings at midday on Saturday, and events ranged from a local artist show at the Hornsey Library to a takeover of Weston Park Place with craft stalls and music, and hundreds of families attending a community festival in Stationer’s Park, complete with an outdoor film screening.

Weston Park Street Market visitors enjoyed the music and the chance to browse the stalls
– Credit: David Winskill

Other events included a two-day music festival at Hornsey Tower which saw 20 bands perform blues, rock, folk and classical, including a Sunday afternoon blues picnic in memory of the local musician Jimmy C who died of cancer last year.

Blues picnic at Hornsey Tower in memory of Crouch End musician Jimmy C
– Credit: Aga Koletsis

The festival is organized by a team of dedicated volunteers and artistic director Chris Arnold said this year has seen a surge in crowds.

“Since we established the Festival 10 years ago, we have strived to keep as many events as possible free for the community, allow access for all and maintain a focus on delivering events quality culture,” he said. “We do not receive any government subsidies and every year is a challenge, so we are very grateful to the local businesses that support us.

“This is a great example of a community creating a community arts festival that is not another commercially run festival contracted out to event organizers just to make money.”

He particularly loved the Stationers Park Family Festival with over 30 activities, including the wacky Crouch End Olympics.

The Crouch End Olympics at Stationers Park on Saturday included classic races like egg and spoon, but with a silly twist
– Credit: David Winskill

‘The park was packed for the free evening film, The Greatest Showman – opened by Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw and seven-year-old Max from Weston Park School, all dressed as showmans.’

Crouch End Olympics at Stationers’ Park
– Credit: David Winskill

Festival director Amanda Carrara said three days of culture featured the refurbished Hornsey Library, with events including art, drama, comedy, singing, poetry, film, stories for children, workshops and music – including “Curious Crouch End”; stories and legends, film clips from the area, a comedic double bill from Crouch End players and the pot-making Friends of Highgate Roman Kiln.

“The public was curious and delighted to explore the newly renovated library and see it come to life. not compete.The Crouch End Festival and Hornsey Library are proving that a library is more than just books and has something for everyone.

Outside the library, the Jam Sandwich Art Party saw street artists temporarily set up shop with visitors about their practice, and the Hornsey Church Tower Open Day included an encore of teddy bears, summit trips and a psychedelic light show in tribute to Mark. Hammond, who created the first Pink Floyd light shows at Hornsey College of Art in the 1960s.

After a flurry of Pink Floyd, pianist Génia received a standing ovation from fellow Ukrainian Eugenia Omelchenko, who arrived at Crouch End just two weeks ago and sang Without You.

Ukrainian singer Eugenia, who arrived at Crouch End two weeks ago, was given a standing ovation as she performed at Hornsey Tower
– Credit: Courtesy of Crouch End Festival

The 25-year-old was a music teacher and jazz singer in her native country, but when her town was bombed she came to live with an aunt in Crouch End. Within a week, she was singing on the street market jazz stage to applause and closing the Tower music festival.

“Eugenia had the crowd rising to applause that began with admiration for her courage – quickly followed by astonishment at her talent,” added festival director Chris Currer.

“One of the things we do at the Crouch End Festival is cultivate talent and connect people. We brought her together with Bernadette Bryant and Genia, a Ukrainian pianist living here. Both were amazed by her voice, and the rest is history.”