This year, Southwark and Wandsworth boroughs are paired together to work with Artists in Residence, Justin Chambers-Coe (aka Justin Coe) and Thandiwe Dhliwayo, 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.

Southwark

Website: see what’s on
Twitter: @Southwarklibs
Facebook: @southwarkevents

Events

Fri 14 April
Write Your Own Kind of Rhymes

Explore the kindest of rhymes with our resident SPINE artists, rapper Thandiwe Dhliwayo and performance poet Justin Coe. We’ll be rocking the rhythm of our names, playing some games and then creating and crafting our own raps, poems and art on postcards and bookmarks – making kind gifts that we can send to family, friends or anyone we like in the whole wide world – maybe even ourselves! So be good to yourself and come and join us for a fun and friendly one and a half hour workshop for children aged 5-11 and their families
Location: Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Rd, London SE16 7AR
Link: www.southwark.gov.uk/events-culture-and-heritage/search?c=59

SPIN Show | Sat 29 Apr – 10.30.11.15 – Arji Manuelpillai, Shagufta Iqbal and Ioney Smallhorne
Location: Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Rd, London SE16 7AR
Link: www.southwark.gov.uk/events-culture-and-heritage/search?c=59

Wandsworth

Twitter @Better_Balham and @wandsworthlibs or email for any enquiries: [email protected]
Instagram: @Balham.Library
What’s on page: www.better.org.uk/library/london/wandsworth/balham-library/news

Events

Fri 14 April
Write Your Own Kind of Rhymes

Explore the kindest of rhymes with our resident SPINE artists, rapper Thandiwe Dhliwayo and performance poet Justin Coe. We’ll be rocking the rhythm of our names, playing some games and then creating and crafting our own raps, poems and art on postcards and bookmarks – making kind gifts that we can send to family, friends or anyone we like in the whole wide world – maybe even ourselves! So be good to yourself and come and join us for a fun and friendly one and a half hour workshop for children aged 5-11 and their families
Location: Balham Library, 16 Ramsden Road, SW12 8QY
Booking link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/wandsworth-libraries-34186778945

Thu 27 Apr – 10.30-12.00
A Story of Kindness with Melanie Terrade

Children will work with local artist Melanie Terrade and explore storytelling around the theme of kind act they remember – using paper cutting, collage and story telling techniques.
The end project will be acted in a miniature theatre show.
Location: Balham Library, 16 Ramsden Road, Balham, London, SW12 8QY

SPIN Show | Fri 28 Apr – 10.30-11.15 with Simon Mole, Shagufta Iqbal and Ioney Smallhorne
Location: Balham Library, 16 Ramsden Road, London, SW12 8QY

Artists in Residence

Justin Coe

Artform: poetry/spoken word

Justin Coe is a poet and spoken word theatre creator, specialising in work for young audiences.

For over twenty-five years, Justin has shared his passion for puckish poetics and heartfelt humour, entertaining and educating everywhere, from Sheppey to Shanghai and from The Savoy Hotel to street corners and a sitting room made entirely out of newspaper.

He is the author of The Dictionary of Dads (Otter-Barry Books, 2017) and The Magic of Mums (2020) and the writer/performer of ten family shows, including The House That Jackson Built (with Half Moon Theatre), a play inspired by Justin’s love of libraries.

Connect with Justin:
Website www.justincoe.co.uk
Twitter @literacyoutloud

Thandiwe Dhliwayo

Artform: music

Thandi is an upcoming Singer Songwriter and all round performer. Her style is mix of old and new school Hip-hop with a pinch of London swagger.

Thandi began her career as rapper on the Bristol underground scene. She cut her teeth in the scene by
performing at local events and open mics around Bristol such as St Paul’s Carnival.

She is an artist on the rise and here to spread positive energy!

Connect with Thandiwe:
Instagram @thandisocials