cultural calendar
february 2010
Imagine: Children’s Literature Festival
11th, February 2010 - 1st, March 2010
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
Imagine, the UK’s brightest children’s festival, fills Southbank Centre with wonderful readings, storytelling and poetry featuring some of today’s leading children’s writers, as well as comedy, visual arts, magic and music. Free performances and workshops run throughout the festival in The Bibliomancer’s Dream – a magical library of books on The Clore Ballroom floor in Royal Festival Hall.
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/festivals-series/imagine-2010
Deutsche Börse Photography Prize
12th, February 2010 - 18th, April 2010
The Photographers' Gallery, 16 - 18 Ramillies Street London W1F 7LW
The Deutsche Börse prize is given to the photographer who's made the most significant contribution to photography in Europe over the past year.
This diverse exhibition includes work by four finalists, who all stand a chance of winning the £30,000 award.
http://www.photonet.org.uk/
Chinese New Year
14th, February 2010
Various locations
2010 is the year of the Tiger, celebrations include Chinese dragons, dancers and fireworks.
http://chineseculture.about.com/library/extra/calendar/bl_newyear.htm
St. Valentine’s Day
14th, February 2010
Various locations
St. Valentine's Day is a tradition associated with the exchange of love notes. The festival which cherishes love and romance, falls on February 14 every year and is celebrated around the world.
http://www.stvalentinesday.org
February Half Term
15th, February 2010 - 19th, February 2010
Nationwide
It's that time again! There are plenty of ways to keep the kids happy and active over half term.
Check out the website below if you're stuck for ideas.
Creative Careers Fair
16th, February 2010
Hackney Town Hall
Aged 13-19? Interested in a career in the creative arts?
Eastside is proud to present the Creative Careers Fair. At the Hackney Town Hall, 12-5pm.
Speak to representatives from universities, colleges, training providers, arts organisations and media organisations. We will also be hosting seminars and workshops in areas such as CV technique, university applications, creative industry opportunities and financial support.
Entrance is free.
International Art Fair
18th, February 2010 - 21st, February 2010
Royal College of Art Kensington Gore London SW7 2EU
An art fair featuring modern and contemporary art from galleries specialising in work from China, Japan, Russia, the Ukraine, Poland and the South Pacific alongside a large selection of Modern British and contemporary work. Artists include Matisse, Mir, Picasso and Chagall, plus British 20th century artists such as Henry Moore, David Hockney, and Mary Fedden.
http://www.rca.ac.uk
Chinese New Year in Trafalgar Square
21st, February 2010
Trafalgar Square
FREE event.
Start the Year of the Tiger with the celebrations for Chinese New Year at Trafalgar Square. Featuring traditional dances, cultural stalls, lights and stunning live performances, the Trafalgar Square events will draw in a large crowd from many different cultures.
UNESCO International Mother Language Day
21st, February 2010
An international event aimed at promoting linguistic diversity and multi lingual education.
www.unesco.org
British Academy of Film and Television Awards
21st, February 2010
BAFTA is the leading independent charity in the UK supporting, developing and promoting the art forms of the moving image.
The nominations have been announced for the Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2010.
Celebrating the best in film for the year.
Read Me Week
22nd, February 2010 - 26th, March 2010
Volunteer readers are invited to wear a hat, shirt, pin, etc. with writing on it for students to read. Children always enjoy their chance to "read the reader"!
http://www.bookem-kids.org/news_020408_readmeweek.htm
Read Me Day
26th, February 2010
The final day of Read Me Week, celebrating and promoting literacy skills.
http://www.bookem-kids.org/readmeweek.htm
Borderlines Film Festival
26th, February 2010 - 14th, March 2010
The best in cutting edge film.
http://www.borderlinesfilmfestival.co.uk/
International Women’s Week
28th, February 2010 - 8th, March 2010
Tower Hamlets
A programme of events created by alternative arts to celebrate women’s achievements worldwide. Coincides with International Women’s Day on March 8th.
www.alternativearts.co.uk/eventsfebruary 2010
Valentine’s Day is celebrated all over the world on February 14. In Finland Valentine’s Day is known as ‘Ystävänpäivä’, meaning ‘Friends Day’. Unlike many other countries where Valentine's Day is mainly a day of romance, in Finland it is a day when close friends send cards and gifts to each other. It is a day of appreciation and recognition of all that we have.
Amongst the things we are blessed with is the gift of language. Communication is language; it is what connects us with others. This month, we celebrate International Mother Language Day, observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. This is a time to open up dialogue with other people, other societies, other cultures. Let’s get talking!
Communication is all about making yourself heard. If you’re a young person wanting to lend your voice, why not get involved in Adobe Youth Voices with Eastside? Check our website for more details of how to be part of the debate.
It’s half term again and there’s plenty on to keep the kids entertained. Our highlight of the month is the Imagine Children’s Literature Festival at the Southbank Centre, running Feb 11-27. Don’t miss the world premiere of a beatbox concerto with Artists in Residence Shlomo and Anna Meredith, and the The Bibliomancer's Dream installation - a magical library of books on The Clore Ballroom in the Royal Festival Hall. Get stuck in and be inspired!
If you’re more the arty type, we’ve a series of exciting comic art workshops running at Eastside. Run by professional artists, these workshops will give you a taste of what it’s like to work in the industry and give you loads of handy tips to improve your skills. Best of all, they’re absolutely free! Search for Graphic Truths to find out more.
Top tip: In the spirit of giving, why not volunteer some of your time at a local charity? Check out http://vinspired.com/ and get involved!
