Events and Projects
Bexley's Cultural Services coordinate and facilitate a variety of events throughout the year involving the community and residents of Bexley. These include Danson Festival and the Anne Frank Exhibition as well as opportunities for local artists to exhibit their work in unique spaces such as Drayman Gallery. For more information on events coming up or for support on creating your own event or project contact us at Cultural Services.
Event Calendar
The council is currently redeveloping the website and creating a centralised event calendar that will provide all the information required for events across the borough which will be available on line and with the added facility that local communities can submit events to be included. Keep you eye on this page for more information coming soon.
You may also be interested in London 2012 Olympic Games & Bexley, cultural events, sports events, our general calendar of events around the borough, or knowing What's On for young people in Bexley.
Bexley Finds its Voice
 If you are aged 12 to 24 years-old with a keen love of music, arts or film,
now is the time to find your voice!
The Arts Council of England has awarded Bexley Council, in partnership with
Point Blank, more than £70,000 funding to run a year long programme of
music activity and art courses across Bexley.
Called  'The Voice' (468KB, PDF file), the programme kicks off on Thursday 12 April at Rose Bruford
College, Sidcup, with the first of two free taster sessions offering a chance
to try out a range of courses on offer, including DJ'ing, singing and song writing,
digital video production, music promotion, music and radio production, graffiti
art and events management. A second drop-in taster session will be on Saturday
30 June at Danson Festival, Danson Park, Bexley.
Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Tourism, Cllr Peter Catterall says: "The
Voice offers 11 free courses which have been tailored to give young people a
chance to develop their self-confidence and creativity, as well as gaining valuable
vocational skills from Point Blank tutors. It is a wonderful opportunity for
the borough."
For further information and to sign up for either of the free taster sessions
or any of the free courses, contact Bexley's Arts and Events Team on 020 8294
6963 or e-mail leisureservices@bexley.co.uk.
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11th Commandment
 Sokari Douglas Camp was commissioned to make this sculpture by Channel Four.
The idea was to make a permanent sculpture to travel around the country reminding
the public of their programme 'The New Ten Commandments'. This was aired on
26th February of this year and shown in Trafalgar Square, London.
The British public voted for the most popular new commandment. The result of the vote inspired this sculpture. The
sculpture shows three figures surrounded by a protective circle of words (or cloak) which reads, "Treat others as you
would be treated". This sentiment can be found across many faiths.
The artist, Nigerian-born Sokari Douglas Camp was a finalist for the 'Fourth Plinth', Trafalgar Square in 2004, and was
recently also awarded the CBE.
"Treat others as you wish to be treated."
... a sentiment found in many faiths:
- ISLAM - "None of you (truly) believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself " -
Hadith Prophet Mohammad
- HINDU - "There is nothing in the world beyond the reach of
those, who have others interest at heart" -
Ramayan (ch. Aranyakand)
- AFRO-CARRIBEAN Patois "One hand wash de ada"
With thanks to members of the
Equalities Forum for their help, and
to Southwark Council for the loan of
this sculpture.
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Black History Month - Recycled Teenagers
 Throughout October an inspiring programme of events by artists and local community groups will be held to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Bexley.
 Carl Campbell Dance Company 7 older people's group called 'Recycled Teenagers' will be performing in Bexley. The company, made up of performers over 50 years old, captures the excitement and energy of Caribbean dance, music and laughter. 'Time of Our Life' explores the social and personal lifestyles of todays over 50's against the backdrop of earthy dances and vibrant chitchat. The pulsating rhythm of African drums, Pachelbel's Canon in "D Major" and Reggae creates a spontaneous out-burst of collective energy.
Supported by the Arts Council of Bexley and the Association of London Government, these events highlight the vast array of activities available across the borough. They create an opportunity for young people to engage with older people, learn more about their heritage and participate in cultural activities. For more information please email saundre.hughes@bexley.gov.uk, or call 020 8294 6958.
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Drayman Gallery
 A new art gallery in the popular Drayman Bar is the first in a number of unique venues across the borough that will be home to original works of art by local artists. The new Drayman Gallery was launched on the 9 June 2005.
Bexley's Cultural Services Team and Arts Council of Bexley worked with the Drayman's management to form the exciting new gallery within the upstairs bar area.
Each month artists from across the borough will be able to exhibit work in the gallery, ranging from photography to contemporary visual art pieces. So far, local artist's Brian De Souza, Sylvia Hogg and photographer John Watterson have exhibited and indeed sold several pieces of work.
The new Gallery space explores alternative exhibition and performance spaces in Bexley as a way of engaging new audiences and promoting local talent.
Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Culture Councillor Geoff Hacker was delighted at the turnout for the launch of the gallery; " I believe the key to developing Bexley's cultural identity is by working in partnership with the community, with artists, buildings and open spaces in order to encourage new ways of thinking about arts and culture in the borough."
The Drayman Gallery exhibtion and upstairs bar is open to the public Thursday to Saturday weekly or by appointment . For more details please contact Lucy Miles, Arts Council of Bexley on 020 8301 5806 or Steve Harvey The Drayman 020 8301 1111
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Culture Marquee
 As
part of the new development plans for the Borough, a marquee was created at
Danson Festival 2005 to reflect the culture of Bexley. As detailed within the Culture Strategy, 'Culture' can be defined as sports, arts, heritage, tourism, countryside, media, parks, play and libraries.
A major draw in the marquee was the interactive and performance area, which gave partners and artists the opportunity to showcase some of their work. Performances were given by Rose Bruford Graduate Theatre Company and Bohemian events, as well as dance demonstrations by Bird College, workshops by community artists, storytelling by Library Services, and a film shown by Welling School's 'Pointless Taxi Productions, interspersed with images and promotions by cultural partners.
Jump For Joy! - Erith Riverside
 Throughout the month of August, a diverse range of free interactive, vibrant and engaging drop-in events for local young people were held at the newly opened Erith Riverside Shopping Centre.
Activities were aimed at children from 5 years upwards, with a strong emphasis on enjoyment and participation. These included master classes, performance taster sessions and parades located in the upper shopping area.
The programme included a funky upbeat contemporary dance workshop by Laban trained dance artist, an 'Alice in Wonderland' inspired carnival mask workshop by Bohemian Events, (who are made up of Rose Bruford College students and graduates), a diverse company creating exciting carnival, street theatre, drama and music and finally Crayford based, Rhema Dance Company, who performed an urban street dance medley to popular hip hop tracks and held taster sessions for children to learn to dance like their favourite pop stars.
This programme was made possible through a partnership between Bexley Council and Erith Riverside. It is anticipated that many other culturally based activity programmes will be held at key town centre locations during holidays in the future.
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London Youth Games
  Each year, over 20,000 young Londoners take part in the Games, in a choice of 28 different sports. For more information on Bexley's involvement in the London Youth Games email nadine.wooldridge@bexley.gov.uk or call on 020 8294 6987.
Bexley's team in this summer's London Youth Games were dressed in style thanks to the t-shirt designs of a selection of Bexley's Gifted and Talent art students.
Eight year 12 students from Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar and Erith School created the eye catching design that was worn by every member of the Bexley contingent during the games through June and July.
The students spent a day at Ravensbourne College of Media and Design working with an experienced tutor to create a motif that would translate from their imagination onto the t-shirt. The design project allowed the students to not only work theoretically but to apply their knowledge to the practial collaboration of design, art and sport.
With the project brief in hand, the talented students set to work with paper, ink pens and craft knives to create something that the 500 strong Bexley borough team would be proud to wear. They worked together to design the t-shirt deciding on everything from colour choices to the final production method.
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Anne Frank Exhibition 2005
 To mark the 60 th anniversaries of the Holocaust Day and the end of World War II, Bexley Council in partnership with Bexley Heritage Trust secured the international touring 'Anne Frank Exhibition' from the Anne Frank Trust, (the educational sister organisation of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam).
The powerful exhibition explored themes of difference in society - cultural, ethnic, religious, and political, through Anne Frank's diary and through personal accounts. Using these themes, displays were able to analyse concepts of tolerance, mutual respect, human rights and democracy. The exhibition inspires and educates a new generation to build a world of mutual respect, compassion and social justice.
"Deeply engaging and very touching"
The exhibition ran from 3 rd to 27 th February 2005 and was free to enter. Education Business Partnership's successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid provided access to the exhibition for school children and young people across the Borough.
"I think it was a very touching story, I had never imagined it this sad. Excellent"
 As 2005 is the Year of the Volunteer, it was impressive that the plea for support led to over 100 volunteers offering their time to act as guides or book stewards throughout the exhibition. 57 volunteers worked with the Bexley Heritage Trust team during the exhibition, and have created a very strong volunteer network now working on other projects within the borough. Some of the volunteers were also Holocaust survivors, and personal accounts together with emotional retelling of their experiences brought the exhibition to life.
"Talking to a survivor brings the whole story to life"
To thank volunteers, each were presented with a copy of Anne Frank's Diary, and a tree planting ceremony was held within the grounds of Hall Place. The tree acts as a focal point for reflection on the past and present and a place of commitment to a better future.
"A most important contribution to education"
Up to 14,000 people attended the exhibition throughout the month; educational tours and visits for groups were scheduled, with 1280 children taking part in 40 school tours. The guided school tours were so popular that additional tours were scheduled to meet demand.
"I enjoyed it and learnt a lot about Anne Frank I will continue to study Anne Frank"
As the Anne Frank Exhibition was herald as such a great success, many of Bexley's cultural organisations are now looking for the opportunity to establish annual/biennial events within the borough, which will generate possibilities to work together and develop cultural experiences for our community.
"After 40 years in Sidcup my first visit to Hall Place thank you"
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