Turtle Key Arts’ annual JOY Festival is set to come to the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith this September.
The festival showcases the work of both established and emerging disabled artists from Hammersmith and Fulham, which will include music, spoken word, theatre and dance from local disabled artists and companies.
After year-round arts workshops run by JOY Festival, pupils from local Special Educational Needs schools will also have their work presented at a visual art exhibition.
Networking events held at the Bush Theatre aim to unite local disabled arts organisations, individuals and performance companies to create a more unified and cohesive approach to future events and performances. With such a successful festival in 2019 and following the cancellation of the June festival in 2020, this year’s events aim to be more accessible, and the company arranged inclusive free family fun days in West London from 6th–8th August.
During these days, families had the opportunity to learn circus skills, such as spinning plates, diablo, juggling and hula hoops. Additionally, they could contribute to a large-scale community art piece based on Jackson Pollock’s ‘paint splashing’ technique. Integrated dance company Amici Dance Theatre Company also ran dance improvisations.
Turtle Key Arts, Hammersmith and Fulham Arts Festival and The Lyric Theatre Hammersmith worked in partnership to create the JOY festival. It is funded by Arts Council England, Dr Edwards & Bishop King’s Fulham Charity, Hammersmith United Charities, The Daisy Trust and Atomy UK. The festival will run from 13-17 September 2021.
Words by Katie Heyes
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Image Credit: Turtle Key Arts