This year, Bromley and Lewisham boroughs are paired together to work with Artists in Residence, Elsabet Yonas and Jasmin Thien, for SPINE Festival 2023. Below are details on how to contact participant libraries and more information about the artists. We’ll be adding to this page later in March with events that are happening during the festival.
Bromley
Website: see what’s on
Twitter: @BromLibraries
Facebook: @BromleyLibraries
Instagram: @bromleylibraries
Events
Tue 11 Apr – 10.30-11.30
‘One of a Kind’ Poetry and Movement Workshop’ with Jasmin Thien and Elsabet Jonas
Poetry and Dance workshop (more information to come)
Location: Beckenham Library, Beckenham Road, Beckenham BR3 4PE
Fri 21/28 Apri and Fri 5 May- 16.00-17.00
Kindness Storytime and Activity Session
As part of #SPINE2023 Come and join us for some fantastic stories about kindness and then take part in a fun activity
The storytime sessions are at Orpington Library, The Walnuts Centre, Orpington, BR6 0TW.
Book your free place via Eventbrite: https://orpingtonlibrary.eventbrite.co.uk
SPIN Show | Sat 22 Apr – 11.00-12.00 with Alim Kamara, Anneliese Amoah and Jasmin Thien
Lewisham
Website: see what’s on
Twitter: @LewishamLibs
Facebook: @LewishamLibraries
Instagram: @LewishamLibraries
Events
Thu 13 Apr – 14.00-14.45
One of a Kind’ Poetry and Movement Workshop with Elsabet Yonas and Jasmin Thien
Join us a Catford Library for an interactive workshop of poetry and movement that will get both the mind and body working. Suitable for ages 8-10
Location: Catford Library, 23-24 Winslade Way, Catford, SE6 4JU
Link: https://lewisham.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=51530
Sat 23 Apr – 14.00-15.30
‘Writing with 7 Senses’ with Amelia B. Kyazze
Join local author & photographer Amelia B. Kyazze for a fun creative writing workshop, exploring the theme of KINDNESS, using her methodology Writing the 7 Senses. With music, photography, observation of nature and humour, we create a free and creative space that allows people to improve their skills and exercise their imagination. With an emphasis on inclusion and diversity, we explore different perspectives, character building, creating suspense, and writing about different cultures and settings around the world as well as across London. For children especially, this helps to build skills, empathy and self-confidence. And it’s a lot of fun!
This show will also be held on Sat 29 Apr, 14.00-15.30.
Link: https://lewisham.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=60955
SPIN Show | Sat 22 Apr – 10.30-11.00 with Alim Kamara, Laila Sumpton and Anneliese Amoah
Location: Catford Library, 23-24 Windslade Way, Catford, SE6 4JU
Artists in Residence
Elsabet Yonas
Artform: dance
Elsabet is a dancer and choreographer, with a foundation in hip-hop. Her work is rooted in storytelling and is inspired by the extensive potentials that art holds in building communities.
Elsabet’s performance work includes Body Politic’s ‘THEM’ (UK Tour 2022), Talawa’s ‘The Tide’ (UK Tour 2019-2022) and The Roundhouse’s ‘Hive City Legacy’ in collaboration with Hot Brown Honey (UK Tour 2018-19). All works center marginalized identities by giving voice to migrants, women and people of the global majority.
Over the years, Elsabet has honed her experience in working with micro, localized community groups, building her practice around people, space and connections. Her work is rooted in engaging with community networks including, but not limited to: young people, vulnerable adults, refugees and seniors. For the last 7 years, she has regularly facilitated in a range of participatory arts settings including UCL, The Roundhouse, Step In To Dance, LIFT and Talawa.
Elsabet’s work has been commissioned by and presented at Serendipity, Bernie Grant Arts Centre, The Place, Arts Admin, Goethe-Institut, Barbican, Lisa Ullman, Breakin’ Convention, Zinnema, and Tempo Festival amongst others.
Connect with Elsabet
Website: www.elsa-bet.com
Instagram: @elsabetter
Jasmin Thien
Artwork: poetry/spoken word
Jasmin Thien is a visually impaired actor, writer, stand up comedian and spoken word artist. Born and raised in Brunei, she came to the UK to read a degree in Education, English, Drama and the Arts at the University of Cambridge.
Her work often focuses on disability, gender and racial issues. She is especially passionate about shining a light on difficult subjects in ways which are truthful and nuanced while remaining accessible to all.
She is currently part of the Diversifying Children’s Literature Programme led by Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho to create an anthology and performance of poetry for children.
Connect with Jasmin:
Twitter: @jasmin_thien
Instagram: @jasmin.thien