What's on
From family support, fitness classes and learning to art exhibitions, festivals and talks, our activities are wide and far reaching.
Waterloo Festival, an annual celebration of the arts, community and heritage hosted by St John’s Waterloo, will return over a busy weekend of events between Friday, 14th and Monday 17th July 2023.
The theme of this year’s celebrations is circus, drawing inspiration from a variety of local sources. Our neighbourhood in the heart of London is regarded as the birthplace of the modern circus, thanks to the inventor and equestrian Philip Astley (1742 – 1814).
It is also the first year the Festival and St John’s are partnering up with the Waterloo Carnival. This annual intergenerational parade of colour, costume and dance will take over Lower Marsh and bring together local community organisations.
A circus brings together a varied group of talented artists and entertainers. Our Festival will continue to showcase and celebrate the diversity of our community and artists in the newly refurbished home at St John’s whilst celebrating the entertainment heritage and life of the South Bank and Waterloo.
Following Carnival celebrations across Lower Marsh on Friday afternoon, the Festival will head to St John’s for a big summer party featuring The Inner Vision Orchestra, Britain’s leading professional ensemble of blind musicians and award-winning comedian Cheekykita whose show at Edinburgh Fringe has been described as the “silliest, maddest, funniest hour I ever spent” (EdfringeReview.com).
On Saturday, the Festival continues with two wabi kusa workshops led by the Senior Community Gardener at St John’s Churchyard. It will be followed by an afternoon of spoken word, songs and rap from some of South London's best up and coming music talent at Alchemy.
The music continues into the evening as bonesintheaft! make a comeback to St John’s after their full-house concert in 2022. Expect costumes, storytelling and colourful music as the spectacular musicians and artists present music from their recently released fifth album, the epic Songs of Snareby Moon.
Sunday morning is dedicated to the hidden artists amongst our community as the locally-led North Lambeth Music Hall takes over after the Festival Service and warms us up for the creative theatre and heritage show, Audacious Mr Astley. This 5-star spectacle is a unique and well-researched spectacle which brings to life Philip Astley, the “father of modern circus”, to tell his own tale. Across the weekend, visitors can also get an aural taste of the late 18th-century circus through a sound installation by local sound artist Kevin Poulton.
Waterloo Festival Director Euchar Gravina explained: “Our local area, sitting right in the heart of London, is synonymous with some of the best cultural and entertainment offers of London. This connection dates back to several centuries, including the pleasure gardens and circuses of the 18th century. It’s great to have a chance through the Festival to reflect on the identity of our neighbourhood.”
Unity Music Arts Team takes over in the afternoon with outdoors afternoon concert of jazz, blues and grooves in the Churchyard, featuring London’s finest up-and-coming musicians.
Waterloo Festival comes to a joyous end on Monday 17th July with a unique participatory day of fun-filled creative exploration: singing, folk and jazz music, dance, theatre and mask workshops, all led by the creative and experience team at the Mental Fight Club known for their successful Dragon Cafés.
Waterloo Festival comes to a joyous end on Monday 17th July with a unique participatory day of fun-filled creative exploration: singing, folk and jazz music, dance, theatre and mask workshops, all led by the creative and experience team at the Mental Fight Club known for their successful Dragon Cafés.
All events at the Festival are either free or pay-what-you-can. Our doors are open to anyone who would like to experience fun and community as an audience but also to those who would like to offer their time as a volunteer.
Outreach and Engagement Officer Abigail Tripp adds: “This year’s Festival comes almost one year on since we reopened the doors of St John’s following a major restoration. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all the work and connections we’ve built as a community since then but also the perfect chance to welcome those who haven’t yet been to St John’s with music, arts and colour!”
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