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Events in 2013

Dalston Children's Festival, Saturday May 25th

We’re proud to be part of the summer-long festival celebrating all the fun things Dalston has to offer. There’s loads of stuff happening on May 25th all over Dalston – check it out here www.dalstonchildren.org

 

In and around Gillett Square we have:

Total Play in Gillett Square 12-6pm

The best fun day out in Dalston for the whole family, we have physical and mental games from around the world. Whoever you are, Whatever your age we have a game you will love playing. We challenge you to PLAY and have FUN.
Board Games from around the world & street games presented by Universal Board Games with Gillett Square’s own weird and wonderful “Snug” play shapes, Table Tennis, Table football and Giant Chess. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to play – there will be experts on site to teach you the basics, share their tips or even challenge you! Come along with family and friends and enjoy playing together. You can also get great food and drinks from the Vortex Downstairs café.
Big and Small: Vortex 10-2pm get together with older and younger musicians to create a brand new piece of music and then perform it in Dalston Square with the Lost Picture Show workshop.
Stalls in Gillett Square 12-6pm:
Threads: Local youngsters present their own hand-made fashion creations
Herb bag making with visitors from the Geffrye Museum
Book reading with Usborne Books
La Pajara Pinta and Yoga sessions at Go Fit Studio

And through the rest of summer:

Total Play

Saturdays 8th June, 6th July, 24th August - 1pm-5pm
Wednesdays 5th & 19th June, 3rd& 10th July, 7th & 21st August - 4-6pm
The best fun day out in Dalston for the whole family, we have physical and mental games from around the world. Whoever you are, Whatever your age we have a game you will love playing. We challenge you to PLAY and have FUN.
Board Games from around the world & street games presented by Universal Board Games with Gillett Square’s own weird and wonderful “Snug” play shapes, Table Tennis, Table football and Giant Chess. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to play – there will be experts on site to teach you the basics, share their tips or even challenge you! Come along with family and friends and enjoy playing together. You can also get great food and drinks from the Vortex Downstairs café.

 

African Market with Open the Gate

Sunday 16th June – 12-6pm
After a successful Christmas market, Open the Gate African craft traders return to Gillett Square for the first in a series of occasional Sunday Markets.

Dance Nations Dalston

Saturday 13th July - 2pm til midnight
Dalston’s favourite day of music, dance and film returns again thanks to a great partnership with the Barbican.

Night Contact

Friday 27th September
Join us in the square and adjoining venues for a celebration of photography with projections.

 

Play Days in the Square during Summer

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, bank holidays and half terms

Fun and Games for all ages; table tennis, SNUG equipment for kids, giant chess etc

Thanks to our funders of equipment and workers (Groundwork and Cadbury, The Big Lottery, L.B. Hackney and The London Development Agency) Gillett Square has become, most afternoons and evenings, a lively place for all kinds of games, musical and social interaction, attracting people of all ages and from all walks of life.

This crossover between playground and small festival site at the heart of a busy diverse inner city town centre such as Dalston is an exciting innovation in urban life. The atmosphere has been described as frequently, wonderfully, mental. 

We are pleased announce that the LDA will continue to fund this work into 2012, and with the use of a magnificent 17 metre diameter star tent provided by Groundwork and Cadbury and HCD's lighting projectors , such activities can be profiled and sustained throughout the year, whatever the weather.

click here for more images

 

 

 

 

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Recent Events

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VORTEX OUTDOORS

Saturday 22nd September 2012, Gillett Square

VORTEX OUTDOORS was a one day festival celebrating The Vortex Jazz Club's 25th Birthday. Held in Gillett Square, Dalston, VORTEX OUTDOORS saw 8 different performances on a specifically built stage in the square during the day and as the night drew in - the public were invited up to The Vortex Jazz Club for a more intimate live performance which ran late into the evening.

Along with the live music, visitors experienced the purposefully curated Vortex Museum which will displayed previously unseen archive material from the historically important Vortex Archive. Visitors also learnt about all the current aspects of this unique musical community which still nurtures and develops cutting edge music, offering the community an opportunity to learn about East London's play in the British (and world) Jazz scene.

There were also food/drink stalls, a Real Ale bar, BBQ and a 2nd hand record stall from Bradbury Street's Eldica Records.

During the day Oliver Weindling took over the NTS Radio studio (based in Gillett Sqaure) from 8-9pm and interviewed many people involved in the event including performers, attendees and volunteers. Listen to the show HERE

With blue skies and sunshine blessing the whole day and a large crowd of expressively happy, dancing people - we can safely say Vortex Outdoors was a wonderfully successful event. We would like to thank all the volunteers, staff, performers, attendees, stall holders and dancing children for making it such a seamlessly fun day!

LINE UP

Nostalgia 77

Nostalgia 77: Influenced by free and spiritual jazz, 60's funk and soul and afro sounds, Nostalgia 77 is Ben Lamdin who produces, composes and collaborates. His live performance for Vortex Outdoors will involve a full live band including: Riaan Vosloo - bass. Long time collaborator and original nostalgia 77 member. James Allsopp - reeds. Tim Giles - drums. Fulvio Sigurta - trumpet. Dan Nichols - joins the band on fender Rhodes.

 

People Band

A legendary name in British improvised music since the 1960's

 

The Annie Whitehead World Music Workshop

Large jazz band under the direction of trombone virtuoso and composer Annie Whitehead. The group will perform works from Africa, Cuba and the Caribbean, America and the UK.

 

Seeds of Creation

Legendary Seddik Zebiri, from Algeria and his multicultural band, Seeds of Creation, play an intriguing blend of traditional Berber music with reggae, Jazz and raw Psychedelic sounds.

 

Electric Jalaba

Psychedelic space age gnawa from Soundspecies (electronics) and Simo Lagnawi (Morrocan Gnawa master)

 

Afrikan Boy

Grime MC Olushola Ajose aka Afrikan Boy has worked extensively with M.I.A and in June last year, released a mixtape 'What Took You So Long'.

 

Township Comets

The Comets play the searing, joyous music of saxophonist Dudu Pukwana, a towering figure in South African jazz and the European free improv scene.

 

DJ Koichi Sakai

Tokyo-born, London-based DJ, producer, musician and promoter who plays a mix of soul, jazz, funk, reggae, latin and afrobeat.

 

Vortex Outdoors is funded by Arts Council, PRS Foundation and London Borough of Hackney.

 

PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT

Afrikan Boy

 

Afrikan Boy

 

Annie Whitehead World Music Workshop

 

Electric Jalaba

 

Gina Southgate

 

Nostalgia 77

 

Nostalgia 77

 

People Band

 

Township Comets

 

Seeds of Creation

 

 

early record collector perusing Eldica Records' 2nd Hand Record stall

 

 

Saturday 21st July 2012

Gillett Square is a liberated zone where the ideals of community ownership and cultural development are realised. This was confirmed on Saturday 21st July with Hackney Co-operative Developments and The Vortex's annual collaboration with Barbican: Dance Nations Dalston 2012 Festival.

Thousands of people descended on Gillett Sq for the 3rd annual DND which this year also hosted the London 2012 Culture official handover to Rio, finally confirming Gillett Square as an official Olympic Cultural venue.

Gillett Square is a remarkable public urban space. It is created, curated and run by two small not-for-profit organizations, Hackney Co-operative Developments (HCD) and the Vortex, working closely with the local authorities.

One of London's best kept secrets since 2006, Gillett Square reflects the aspirations of the Cultural Olympiad by providing a site for grass-roots expression of East London's extraordinarily cosmopolitan dynamism, creativity and diversity.

We were delighted, in addition to our pre-planned festival preparations, to provide refuge for key elements of the Hackney One Festival from a waterlogged Clissold Park, in Britain's wettest summer on record. The last minute cancellation of the Clissold Park event gave groups like London 2012 the opportunity to see how efficiently the Gillett Square team can create a high quality event under pressure as we had to cater to the arrival of two extra stages and inclusion in the official Olympic program.

The DND festival culminated in a day of live music, the official London 2012 Culture handover to Rio, dance performance and dance workshops spread over 5 stages.

Once the Movimiento DJ's kicked things off just around 12.30pm, the Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning drumming students parted the crowds to occupy a large space of the square. Dance workshops from Bollywood Vibes and King Candy & Swing got the crowd relaxed and moving - setting the vibe for rest of what was installed for the day; Residual Gurus (a Catalan group playing recycled material), Black Eagles (eye-popping acrobatic trio from Tanzania), Los Chinches (psychedelic Latin-esque live band), 1920's inspired dance workout workshop from Lah Di Dah, Lokkhi Terra (Brazilian street band), Owiney Sigoma Band (world recognized local afro-electro ensemble), and as the sun set and music continued upstairs in the Vortex Jazz Bar (South Africa's Hot Water blasted out the space) we erected a large screen and projected the truly spectacular 'Koyaanisqatsi', a cult film set to an atmospheric score by celebrated composer Philip Glass.

Well over 2000 people thronged the Square thoughout the day.

Thanks to all who came down and contributed to an unforgettable day of sunshine, dance and music. We very much look forward to next year's Dance Nations Dalston. Keep an eye on our site for more events like this - notably Vortex Outdoors: a large day/night festival in Gillett Square on Saturday the 22nd of September 2012.

"Hackney is a cool place to live with strong communities. Gillett Square is a perfect representation of Hackney, so many cultures, so much going on - it brings people together." LaToya Mcallistar, from Hackney Central.

"The best bit about today was been the dancing. It's been really good fun." Herbie Astale, eight years old, from Stoke Newington.

 

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NTS Radio First Anniversary Party

After more than 130 shows, NTS Radio is celebrating its First Anniversary on Saturday the 28th of April. The party commences at 1pm an will go on until 8 pm in Gillett Square in Dalston – the home of NTS Radio- with an outdoor event and featured on the line up will be a host of NTS DJ’s.

The Gillett Square Line-up, hosted by Charlie Bones, will include:

It’s been a year since NTS Radio launched, and they are immensely proud of what they’ve achieved since last April, not least is the station running smoothly with over 130 shows but they’ve been out in Spain to broadcast from Sonar, to the Isle of Wight for Bestival, down the road for Field Day and over to Wales for Freerotation.

On top of that the list of guests they’ve had in their little studio shack is nothing if not impressive: Thundercat, James Pants, Mark Pritchard & Steve Spacek (both as Africa Hi-Tech and individually), Kassem Mosse, Samiyam, Moodymann, Kyle Hall, Joy Orbison, Kan Zulu, Owiny Sigoma Band, Gilles Peterson, Ron Morelli, Bo Ningen, Roots Manuva and many more we can’t remember. 

Not forgetting their own programming that exhibits so much breadth and diversity, with shows ranging from arts discussion pieces to the most weird and wonderful music, and hosts from those who are old hands to those who had never done any radio before.

NTS Radio has secured a very special venue for the After Party, a two floored warehouse with funktion 1 sounds in both and a BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze) Policy – there’s also a very special line up to match (see below) – this is going to be one to remember.

The After Party Line-up will be:
A GUY CALLED GERALD
MARCELLUS PITTMAN
VERONICA VASICKA
FUNKINEVEN
KUTMAH
THESHINING
NONSENSE DJ’S
LIVIN’ PROOF
MOXIE
CHARLES DRAKEFORD

 

 

 

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Dalston Mid-Winter Fair

Swing, Make, Swap & Sing: Festive Fun For All

On Sunday 18th December from 12pm -6pm, Gillett Square & the Dalston Culture House will be hosting a day in which the community gathers round to warm itself up with swing dancing, singing and creative workshops.
With everyone having to tighten their belts, this is an alternative to the commercial push to “spend spend spend” – find that special gift amongst other people’s unloved treasures and swap it for something you’re happy to pass on.
Joining us under the big tent, Swing Patrol will get your dancing feet moving with free public lessons and performances. Warm your vocal cords with seasonal songs from around the world with performances from Emashi African Dance, local school choirs and many more. Or simply join us in the warmth of The Vortex for some crafty decoration workshops and a cup of tea.
There will also be ping pong, table football and games with Universal Board Games.

 

 

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Time To Talk

Music, Theatre and Film Festival

Sunday 9th October, 1 – 6pm

Music, Theatre and Film, an event for World Mental Health Day

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UPRISE anti-racism festival 2011 presents

Community Is Home

Sunday 25th September

This year Gillett Squared was proud to help host London’s long running anti- racism festival that came to Dalston this autumn. It took place in the aftermath of the recent riots and under the apposite and positive strap-line of “Hope not Hate”. Without funding from the Mayor of London, Trade Union support was central to this occasion. There was a full programme of musical performances in the square as well as events at neighbouring venues such as the Eastern Curve Meanwhile Gardens and the Bootstrap Roof Garden.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smSZIOOk8_k

 

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Gillett Square

A public space animated by
the creativity of the surrounding community

Gillett Square is a liberated zone, where the ideals of community ownership and cultural development are being realised.

In the heart of Dalston, it is a remarkable public urban space well worth a visit; not only for the amazingly wide range of exciting events and engaging activities that take place there throughout the year but also at anytime.

Gillett Square shows what can be achieved when voluntary organisations, social and arts enterprises come together with public authorities in partnership to revitalise a town centre, and to help build, develop and sustain community. It was recently selected by the Academy of Urbanism as a finalist for its Great Places award for 2012.

The core partnership (Vortex Squared) consists of Hackney Co-operative Developments, (HCD), The Vortex and LBH, but many other groups and organisations are closely involved, such as The Barbican Arts, The Brazen Bunch and Universal Board Games.

Whilst all three main partners are involved in all aspects of the square’s function, London Borough of Hackney has primary responsibility for its repair and maintenance. HCD and the Vortex deliver on its social, artistic and cultural activities.

This is a project that has been underway since the millennium, but is far from over.

"Our ambition to take our programme outside the Centre's walls to audiences in the east reached new heights this year...with Hackney Co-operative Development's Gillett Squared project."
Barbican Annual Review 2008/9

 

Academy of Urbanism Nomination

We are very pleased to announce Gillett Square has been shortlisted for the Academy of Urbanism's (http://www.academyofurbanism.org.uk/awards/main_awards_2012.html ) prestigious Great Places 2012 Award. The visiting assessors seemed to be impressed not only by the quality of the square's simple, flexible and elegant design but also by the high degree of community ownership and creativity that is embedded here, its increasing inclusive popularity and many new horizons and opportunities for activities here that are being engaged with by arts organisations and local enterprises.

 

 

 

The current members of the Gillett Square Partnership:

Hackney Co-operative Developments

The Vortex

London Borough of Hackney

Design for London