Leaves Fall In Bright Sound is a community craft and music programme that will transform The Exchange into a candlelit autumnal haven, through collective workshops and a series of uplifting concerts held as the skies darken toward the end of the year.

 

The Exchange musical ensemble
The programme will include community craft sessions such as candle and lantern-making, decoration-making using natural and found materials, an illuminated garden trail plus concerts and performances from the TheatreBox Choir, Bird College, Bexley Music, Vinyl DJ Nick Davey, Kirk and his steel pans, and the Carnegie Ensemble who return to perform another incredible baroque Christmas concert.

What's on at The Exchange in November?

Lantern Making

A free workshop - help bring a touch of enchantment to The Exchange by crafting vibrant lanterns that will illuminate the community space and form part of an illuminated Garden Trail in December.

Find out more about the lantern making event

Paper crafting

Join Exchange Maker Usha Vella as she takes the lead on festive decorations for The Exchange this year and get involved whilst learning some beautiful paper craft techniques at the same time.

Find out more about the paper crafting event

Candle Holder making

Join ceramicist Merissa Hylton for a workshop, split over two half-days, at which you will make a candle holder that will be used as part of The Exchange's festive illuminations.

Find out more about the candle holder making event

Bexley Music Perform at The Exchange - 28 November from 7am to 9pm

Support Bexley's musicians of the future at this very special concert at The Exchange. The concert will feature a mixed repertoire of music, including film music (Pirates of the Caribbean, Cinema Paradiso), musicals, (Les Miserables), pop music (Africa, Uptown Funk) and classical works. The Little Big Band will perform a variety of jazz standards.

Find out more about the concert

What's on at The Exchange in December?

Super Festive Saturday - 6 December from 11am to 7pm

Visit The Exchange for a festive-filled day! Apart from family-friendly crafts, festive games and puzzles, there will also be live steel pan festive music, a Garden Lantern Trail and some laid back tunes from DJ Nick Davey!

Find out more information

The Carnegie Ensemble Annual Baroque - Sunday 7 December from 3pm to 5pm

The Carnegie Ensemble returns to The Exchange on Sunday 7 Dec for their annual candlelit Baroque concert, with a return of the incredible Mezzo Soprano, Louisa Stuart-Smith.

Find out more information

Birdsong from Bird College - Saturday 13 December from 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Birdsong will be performing a dazzling showcases of musical theatre that celebrate the creativity, passion and discipline of artists throughout time and place, underneath the decorations and illuminations at The Exchange.

Find out more information

Festive Plant Pot Painting Workshop - Saturday 20 December from 11am to 1pm

Learn how to decorate your own terracotta plant pots and create unique designs! This workshop will cover the basics and also introduce a variety of techniques. Paint and materials will be provided, please bring your own terracotta pot or pots will also be available to purchase on the day for decorating.

Find out more information

Play Out For Christmas! Saturday 20 December from 5.30pm to 6.30pm

Visit The Exchange for a drink, nibble, and a festive performance from the Theatre Box Choir, who will be singing some Christmas classics, both old and new.

Find out more information

For further details of the concerts plus our calendar of craft events and activities, visit the Leaves Fall In Bright Sound event listing page. 

About The Exchange

The Exchange logo
The Exchange is a community-owned arts & crafts organisation that uses the heritage of Erith’s Old Library as a space designed and built by local people for the benefit of local people to inspire new programmes and activities.

This includes projects and activities that invite community participation, including our craft production workshops and a community-driven events programme. We are also a great place to visit.

There is no entry cost and we have a beautiful garden, designed by award-winning garden designer Sarah Price, a “Town Square” where we host regular exhibitions, events and activities, and a shop and coffee bar - The Garden Room - that sells a gorgeous range of unique and handmade crafts as well as houseplants, homewares, books, gifts, drinks, snacks and sweet treats.

You can become a patron from just £30 to give the garden and the community the future it deserves. Learn more about our ‘A Common Paradise’ appeal.