THEATRE, music, dance, film, art and literature will this summer flood the borough at the first Art Festival held in Hammersmith and Fulham.

The brand new H&F ArtsFest will celebrate the rich cultural and artistic diversity of the area and will be held from June 8 to 15.

With the support of the council and key cultural organisations, the festival week will showcase a vast range of arts activities.

Riverside Studios, the Lyric and Bush theatres, Nomad Books, Albert and Friends’ Instant Circus, jazz venue The 606 Club, Addison Singers, Acava Studios, W11 Opera, Regenerated Space for Art, the Macbeth Centre and Twice as Nice Comedy have already signed up to get involved.

Stilt walker George Phillips joins the mayor to promote Art Fest
There are also plans to have two or three live events during the week.

ArtsFest is the brainchild of a group of community-minded folk who want to give a boost to the creative venues and ventures in the area, encompassing film, music, and visual, literary and performing arts.

Led by chairwoman Cathy Robertson, the ArtsFest team have been working closely with innovative local bodies. The group was awarded funding from the council’s fast track scheme, and the Chronicle has signed up as the festival’s media partner.

Cathy, who first got a taste of community involvement as part of her Fulham Neighbourhood Watch scheme a decade ago, said: “We would love to take on the look and feel of bigger festivals. Our intent is for this to become an annual arts festival for all to enjoy.

“We are very focused on promoting the cultural richness of the borough through theatre, music, dance, film, arts and literature.

“It is about celebrating what we have here in the borough, and shining the spotlight on the wealth of local and internationally acclaimed venues and arts heritage.”

Deputy council leader Greg Smith said: “This borough has a very proud heritage that is embedded in the arts. We boast some of the country’s most respected artists among our historical heroes – former residents like poet John Milton, composer Gustav Holst, and designer and artist William Morris.

“This new festival is an opportunity to not only celebrate the borough’s past artists but to promote, celebrate and enjoy the talents of the performers, musicians, writers and artists living and working in the area today.

“The borough is full of excellent venues to relax and enjoy art and there is a huge choice of things to do, so we hope our residents really get behind ArtsFest and support it.”

ArtsFest events so far include:

n An open day at Riverside Studios with tours and activities.

n Performances by Edinburgh Fringe-acclaimed Albert and Friends Instant Circus, an arts organisation made up of young people.

n Nomad Books will offer three exciting literary evenings: a Virago Author event, an interview with literary couple Artemis Cooper and Antony Beevor, and a special guest for their Monday Bookclub.

n The Lyric will hold Theatre in the Square supported by HammersmithLondon, an open evening with artists involved in the new building and more.

n Twice as Nice Comedy nights, including the Second Sunday Comedy Club Band with Sara Pascoe, as well as Jess Fostekew and Caroline Mabey.

n Find out more at www.hf-artsfest.com, or for information on how to get involved or to promote your arts organisation or events during ArtsFest for free, or to become an event sponsor, email Cathy Robertson on crobertson@hf-artsfest.com.