Greenwich Dance and Emergency Exit Arts open their doors for weekend of Fun Palace activities

by D Hopkins of Greenwich Dance

Two Greenwich-based arts organisations – Greenwich Dance and Emergency Exit Arts – will be welcoming budding artists and scientists into their venues on 1-2 October, for a weekend of free activities and workshops for all the family.

Both organisations are taking part in the UK-wide Fun Palaces initiative, hosting free events where the content is decided by local people. Now in its third year, Fun Palaces 2016 is a nationwide celebration of arts, culture and sciences, bringing to life the vision of Joan Littlewood, one of the 20th century’s most significant cultural innovators.

On Saturday 1 October, 11am – 5pm, Greenwich Dance will be hosting their Fun Palace at The Borough Hall on Royal Hill, SE10 8RE – featuring a range of free activities for all ages throughout their beautiful 1920s Art Deco home.

The day starts with an eco-friendly cardboard challenge, where everyone will come together and build a city out of cardboard and other recyclable materials. Throughout the day there will be a dance-themed micro cinema, plus creative arts and crafts including badge making and a “Sit and Knit”.

As the home of dance in Greenwich, there’ll also be plenty of opportunities to join in and get moving, with taster sessions and workshops where visitors can try out dance for the first time. 

In the science lab, there’ll be a chance to take part in some fun musical science experiments – then, at the end of the day, everyone comes together for an exciting finale, with 1920s-style lindy hop dancing!

Amanda Davey, Executive Director of Greenwich Dance, said: “Greenwich Dance has always been a place where the community can gather together and have fun – and that’s why we’re so excited to be hosting a Fun Palace for the third time.

“There’s a real variety of activities in store, all suggested and presented by our neighbours and friends from the local community. Whether you want to try dance for the first time, explore our beautiful Art Deco building, or simply have a go at our creative activities throughout the day, we hope everyone will have a great day with us!”

On Sunday 2 October, 12pm-5pm, Emergency Exit Arts open their doors for a Fun Palace at Rothbury Hall on Azof Street, SE10 0EF – where the arts and sciences will collide together in glorious technicolour.

Teaming up with their friends at A Line Art, Emergency Exit Arts are inviting the public to come and draw, colour and scribble (literally) on the walls! There will also be rides on the mechanical elephant, arts and craft workshops and science experiments.

A Line Art will be headlining Sunday’s event with their new family show Ready Steady GO. There are performances at 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm – tickets are free but must be booked in advance by calling 020 8853 4809 or by email info@eea.org.uk.

EEA would like to thank the Big Lottery’s Celebrate fund for supporting the project. 

Ross Bolwell-Williams, Youth Arts Producer at Emergency Exit Arts, explains: “We’re thrilled to be opening our doors again for our third Fun Palace as we invite our community to take part in some radical fun!

“Drawn Together is our most ambitious programme yet, and in immersing our local residents in a spectrum of activities we’re hoping to spark their curiosity to continue to develop and nurture their creative potential.”

Both events are free and open to everyone. For more information about Fun Palaces, visit funpalaces.co.uk. To find out more detailed timetables of both events, visit greenwichdance.org.uk or eea.org.uk.