Our Place

Our Place Library Events

Sat 20 May, 10am – 3.30pm, Whitehawk Library Family Fun Day

Free and open to all

From baby fun time to badgemaking, poetry to puppetry, this is a wonderful day of FREE activities for all the family! With special guest author Annemarie Anang and creative writing performed by young people at Little Green Pig's Open Mic.

Morning
10am-12 noon badgemaking and colouring – run by Brighton Festival
10.15-10.45am Baby Boogie: early years rhyme time – Run by Library Services
11.15am-12.15pm  Storytime for 3-8’s: I am Nefertiti - read by author Annemarie Anang (signed copies available to buy)

Afternoon
1.00-1.30pm Registration and practice time for any children who want to perform a story or poem in the Little Green Pig Open Mic session later on.
1.30-3.30pm Drop in puppet making – run by Brighton Festival
2.00-3.00pm Little Green Pig Open Mic for 7-11 year olds, hosted by Roy McFarlane –young people showcase their own creative writing to an audience.

Little Green Pig Open Mic Call Out
Calling all young people with words to share. Whether stories, poems, comedy or something else, Little Green Pig presents an open mic opportunity for anyone aged 7–11 who wants to perform at Brighton Festival. We invite you to be brave, take pride and take to the mic. Our host Roy McFarlane will be cheering you on. Everyone is invited to come and join the audience to hear children and young people perform.

If you'd like to sign up in advance, email [javascript protected email address] or just turn up on the day! All are welcome.

Sun 21 May, 10.45am – 3.30pm, Hangleton Library Youth Takeover: Fearless Voices

Free and open to young people ages 11 - 16

As part of Brighton Festival, we are welcoming the fantastic Nikita Gill to Hangleton Library. Nikita is a British-Indian poet, playwright, writer and illustrator and has written numerous collections of poetry including Fierce Fairytales, Poems & Stories To Stir Your Soul; Wild Embers and These Are the Words: Fearless Verse to Find Your Voice.

In this workshop, you'll learn how to craft a poem with Nikita, using your voice and your experiences, and then you'll have a chance to perform your poem (if you’d like to) at a showcase later the same day in the library.

No experience necessary just an interest in literature/writing/creating.

Free lunch and refreshments will be provided.

For more information and to sign up, please contact Slavka Jovanovic at Brighton Festival at slavka.jovanovic@brightondome.org

Artists In Residence

Three Artist in Residence projects taking place this spring will culminate in artworks to be showcased across the city in May.

In Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, East Side Print are creating a project to celebrate the cultural diversity of the area. 

East Side print is a not for profit arts organisation promoting the practice of visual art, particularly screen printing on paper and fabric, for individuals and community groups across the city.

From their dedicated screen printing studio in East Brighton, East Side Print run a rolling programme of exciting creative courses and workshops, an active outreach programme working with schools and community groups, as well as a studio membership scheme for those bitten by the screen printing bug to carry on printing in their own time.

Brighton Festival Guest Director Nabihah Iqbal has invited two artists to work across other areas of the city: 

In East Brighton, British Indian Photographer Vivek Vadoliya will work with young people on an autobiographical project exploring identity.

And in Hangleton & Knoll, Boudicca Collins will be collaborating with local residents and the Hangleton & Knoll Project to create a mural for their community.

Boudicca is a London based fine artist and scenic painter. Receiving a BA in Painting at The Slade in 2010 Boudicca went on to work as  a scenic painter for film, television, opera, theatre and events. In 2022 she completed the mural course at Lewisham School of Muralism.

We are also looking forward to welcoming our Audience Club members from the Our Place communities to attend events as part of the Festival.