FAME: 25th-28th April

A FOUR DAY FESTIVAL CELEBRATING THE ARTS AS A PLATFORM TO EXPLORE AND CHALLENGE "THE STATE WE’RE IN" – AS PEOPLE, AS A COUNTRY, AS A WORLD...

MUSIC: THE BEAT, SAM & THE WOMP, JOHN HEGLEY, DELE SOSIMI’S AFROBEAT EXPERIENCE, JOELLE TAYLOR & THE SLAMBASSADORS, CALYPSO CHAOS, LOKKHI TERRA, 100% BEEFCOCK & THE TITSBURSTER,MANO DE DIOS...

ART: TOM HUNTER, SARAH MAPLE, CHRIS BARRETT, JUNO CALYPSO, MOLLY MACINDOE, ALKE SCHMIDT, DELLA REES, ALICE SIELLE, SOPHIE GERRARD, CELIA C. PETERS...

CIRCUS THEATRE & PERFORMANCE ART: TWO FOR TEA, PAPER TIGER

Check out the graffiti and street art on deck or be stimulated by abstract projections in the hull, F.A.M.E.’s floating gallery is full to the brim of multi-platform visual media. Featuring award-winning photographer Tom Hunter, “the heir to Tracey Emin’s throne”, Sarah Maple, and globe-trotting photo-journalist Chris Barrett. Collections of Juno Calypso’s photographic alter-egos can be seen alongside Alice Sielle’s portrayals of the death of Whitechapel’s Altab Ali plus a collage of visuals supplied by Bishopgate’s Institute pay tribute to the great British tradition of protest and resistance. Amongst others, Molly Macindoe, Alke Schmidt, Della Rees, Sophie Gerrard and Celia C. Peters throw thought-provoking perspectives onto a wide spectrum of themes including global and environmental issues, displacement and refuge, mental health, alternative lifestyles, gender and sexuality.

The festival also shines a light on the voices and visionaries of the future. Boroughs United, a stage show produced and managed by young volunteers from youth charity The Crib,presents an afternoon showcase (Saturday 27th) of the talents and creative achievements of 13-19 year olds from across London's 33 boroughs, including the Tower Hamlets-based IMD (finalists of Sky1 dance competition “Got to Dance”). Young divas, street-dancers, singer-songwriters, rappers and musicians represent the city's youth and give us the best entertainment that London has to offer.

Evening gigson board the floating gallerybring you spoken word, screenings with Q+As, circus performers and top bands...

Hosted by Floating Forum, an off-shoot of Hackney’s community broadcaster Reel Rebels Radio and in collaboration with music producer and festival programmer, Pablo Farba, this “state of the nation, state of the globe” event combines some of today’s most influential artists, musicians and performers in a resounding wave of social commentary and political awareness.

Thursday 25th: Dele Sosimi’s Afrobeat Experience – king of Afrobeat; Lokkhi Terra -afro-bangla-latin-jazz big band; Other Half Productions -acrobatic comedy “Two for Tea”; DJ Cal Jader (Movimientos); DJ Tofu (Continental Drifts)

Friday 26th: The Beat – classic ska-punk; John Hegley, Joelle Taylor & The Slambassadors - spoken Word; 100% Beefcock & The Titsburster -hardcore contemporary thrash. Lavin – ska & rocksteady

Saturday 27th: Sam & The Womp – No.1 Balkan-mash-up;  Mano de Dios - spanglo-rumba-gypsy-swing,  Boroughs United “On Tour!” – London’s youth perform; Artful Badger -animalisticdubstep, jungle, death disco & rap samba

Sunday 28th:  The Mighty Cosmics - ska & rocksteady; Calypso Chaos – raw, Roman indie-rock; Miss Pink – D’n’B, Jungle and more

Artists: Tom Hunter, Sarah Maple, Chris Barrett, Juno Calypso, Molly Macindoe, Alke Schmidt, Della Rees, Alice Sielle, Sophie Gerrard, Celia C. Peters...and more...

Tickets here: http://www.wegottickets.com/FAME