Louise Wener by Seb Wheeler
Stoke Newington Literary Festival finishes today, but the best is yet to come. If you haven’t been down to check it out yet, here is a list of very good excuses to pick up last minute tickets. Or, if you have been revelling in the sunshine that has been blasting Church Street and the literary goodness within its fine array of venues, here’s what you need to see to make your weekend complete.
So, this is it. Some excellent events to see the weekend out. And, if you get a little weary, don’t forget there’s a great beer garden out the back of Ryan’s, opposite the Town Hall, good coffee and cakes available from Spence’s Cafe and Bakery just down the road, and plenty of opportunity for good pizza in the little trattorias that dot Church Street. See you there!
Iain Sinclair + Barry Miles @ the Town Hall, 2pm, £8
This is crucial! Cult psychogeographer Iain Sinclair in conversation with 1960s legend Barry Miles, biographer of William Burroughs and John Lennon. We’ll be down the front for this.
Howard Marks @ the Town Hall, 6pm, £8
We all know how much of a character Howard Marks usually is. He’s presenting his new crime novel tonight, should be interesting to see what the famed marijuana man has to pull out the bag.
Linda Grant @ The Drop, 1.30pm, £4
One of the UK’s leading writers who has won the Orange Prize and been nominated for a Booker. ‘Nuff said.
Alex Wheatle + Courttia Newland @ Abney Public Hall, 2pm, £4
Two writers informed by London life in the 1970/80s, the Brixton riots and reggae music. Great, gritty fiction full of colour found in the everyday. Read our interview with Alex Wheatle here.
John Osborne @ Stoke Newington Public Library, 3pm, £4
John Osborne won a bunch of records off the John Peel show about 8 years ago. See the poet and spoken word artist perform his new show, which is an ode to radio, records and the great DJ himself. Awesome! Read our interview with him here.
Juke Box Fury @ the Town Hall, 4pm (Sunday) £8
Four leading music journalists, including Paul Morley and Simon Reynolds, talk about what got them into music writing. Should be very fascinating.
Ska Panel @ the Town Hall, 8pm (Sunday) £8
A celebration of Ska, Jamaican culture and the effect it all had on London life. Panel includes Viv Albertine from the Slits and Newton Dunbar, founder of the legendary Four Aces Club. Plus DJ sets. Perfect way to finish!
The Age of Dissent @ Abney Public Hall, 4pm (Sunday) £4
Laurie Penny, Dan Hancox and Dan Hind kick off over the current protest movement. Hear their viewpoints and engage in what will hopefully be a very lively debate, especially if Ms Penny is in the mood for an argument, which she normally is!
Tickets are available over the internet, on the phone, or in person at the Stoke Newington Book Shop, or at the main box office in the Town Hall. For full ticket details see here.
