Brockley Max 2018 - June 1-9

Not long now until the Brockey Max festival. The full programme is now available to download. Organiser Moira writes:

Brockley Max 2018 features an amazing mix of art, music, comedy, film and photography events alongside the hugely popular Opening Night, Brockleywood Nights and Art In The Park.

We also have our very own radio station. Brockley Max FM will be broadcasting live from The Fox & Firkin during festival week. And once again we’re delighted that the Brockley Street Art Festival is happening alongside us.

Highlights this year include:

- Eyeball Pleasers - an eccentric collection of work at the Lewisham ArtHouse
- Jerk n Jam - Jerk cooking and good music at Jam Circus
- Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes - performed by local theatre group Join the Dots
- Whisky & Wax Featuring Beatnik - hip hop and electronica at Brickfields
- Kumo and Sweet Machine - like Jean Michelle Jarre playing a theramin inside The Honor Oak pub

The traditional opening night party is on June 1, on Foxberry Road.

Strong and stable: A cartoon review of the year with Martin Rowson

On April 30th at the Fox & Firkin pub, the Brockley Max arts festival (taking place June 1-9) will be throwing a fundraiser with support from Guardian cartoonist Martin Rowson. Organiser Moira writes:

Martin Rowson, longstanding Ladywell resident & multiple award-winning cartoonist for The Guardian, will be looking back over the last turbulent twelve months in politics and much else in another fully illustrated, ranty & sweary fundraiser for the Brockley Max festival.

In a year where it feels the world has turned upside down, Martin will give his take on the continuing saga of Brexit and the incompetence of our political parties through his cartoons. Be prepared to be shocked, enlightened and thoroughly entertained!

Join us for this rare opportunity for an informal and intimate discussion, followed by a Q&A, with one of the UK’s most distinct political commentators.

There will be opportunity to purchase copies Martin’s new books, including his graphic novel adaption of The Communist Manifesto, and his collection of “silent” [wordless] comics, “The Pen Is Mightier Than The Word”.

Tickets are £10 + booking fee from here:  All ticket sales to go towards funding this year’s festival. Over 18 years only.

Click here for more

Brockley Max 2017, June 2-9

The Brockley Max community arts festival returns on June 2nd for nine days of music, performance, art and parties.

This year's festival includes a wide range of new artists and venues and highlights (other than the front cover of their programme, which is a masterpiece) include:

• Urban Myths storytelling at The Talbot
• An Open Studios at Dragonfly Place
• Russian Gypsy music in Hilly Fields
• An upcycling surgery at Muck n Brass
• Butcher art in Ladywell
• Cabaret at the Fox & Firkin
• Art in the Park

The Max will also coincide with the Brockley Street Art Festival and this year, the London Beer Dispensary will be pouring a limited edition Brockley Max beer.

For the full programme, click here.

Brockleywood Nights – Thurs 8th June

Declan writes:

Enjoy the filmmaking talent and cinematic treasures from Brockley and beyond at Brockleywood Nights, a showcase for local short film.

The event is free and scheduled for the evening of Thursday 8 June, starting at 8.30pm (offering respite from the General Election mayhem) and will be in the fantastic sprawling garden of the Fox & Firkin down the road on Lewisham High St in SE13. Pushing the Brockley boundaries a wee bit, but the venue is great and there will be live music afterwards with Ron’s Speakeasy, so it’s going to be a top night!

Submissions are still open and so please get in touch. All genres are welcome and while the focus is on showcasing local filmmakers (or films linked to the local area), films from Lewisham, South London and beyond will also be considered. Please get in touch or forward to any filmmaking friends you know.

For further details or submissions contact Declan at declanmcgill@gmail.com

The event is part of Brockley Max (2 - 10 June 2017) and as ever there will be loads of (mostly free) gems to discover. Check out  brockleymax.co.uk for more info or like/follow @BrockleyMax on social media.

Brockley Max 2017 - get involved

Emma writes:

Brockley Max is a nine-day, not-for-profit festival put on by local people for local people. So it can’t happen without your help!

We’re looking for volunteers keen to be involved in Brockley Max 2017, to see a different side of the festival - use your skills in a creative capacity, try something new and be involved in your local community! It’s a great opportunity to develop your skills, add experience to your CV and use your interest in music or art in a professional capacity – references can be provided on request after volunteering.  Travel expense can be covered, and food is often provided.

You’ll be contributing your time to help make the festival run smoothly, for example, by handing out programmes, setting up events, being a festival ambassador or raising funds. You’ll be an essential part of Brockley Max, helping create a special atmosphere, perfect for those looking for work experience or to meet new people.

You can volunteer as much or as little of your time as you like, there is plenty of variety and flexibility.

Please visit our website to find out more about all our exciting opportunities and how to apply.

You can also email Emma, our Volunteer Coordinator on volunteer@brockleymax.co.uk if you have any further query.

The Brockley Street Art Festival fundraiser

Ian writes:

The Brockley Street Art Festival is entering a third year, with more events and painting planned around the Brockley area the first week of June - coinciding with the fantastic Brockley Max Festival.

This year is our third year, and not only do we wish to continue to create amazing art on the street, but we are keen to extend the festival further and offer a greater range of events and activities that the public can get involved in. These include (but aren't limited to):

• A live painting event for our opening night, as well as supporting Brockley Max Art in the Park
• Guided street art tours of work produced by past festivals as well as a chance to see live painting
• A free self-guided family trail as well as a bespoke guided street art tour for families
• A range of talks and participatory workshops
• Plus we will continue to work with the best artists to create around 10 stunning new murals

All funds raised go to the running costs and to the artists themselves. Me and my fellow organisers are unpaid. So, if you've got, say 5 or 10 pounds to spare, It'll really help us make it happen this year.

Details here.

Be part of Brockley Max 2017

El writes:

The Brockley Max festival takes place in venues across Brockley, Ladywell, Crofton Park and Honor Oak over a nine-day period from 2nd -10th June.

Brockley Max 2017 will kick off with an afternoon and evening of live music, singing and dance at our Opening Night down by Brockley station from 4pm to 10.30pm on Friday 2 June.

On Saturday 10 June we convene on Hilly Fields for our Art In The Park family day featuring children’s art workshops, a live stage, a craft market, performances, food stalls and a bar.

The rest of the events are up to you. As long as it’s something that people in the area can enjoy – and there’s an element of art or creativity involved – you’re free to put on whatever you like. You just need to find a venue willing to host the event, agree a time and date, write a description and add all the details to an event application form. There’s a venue directory here on our website and the application form can be completed here.

Brockley Max 2016: Opening Night

Art in the Park, Hilly Fields

Brockley Max 2016 has just kicked off with its traditional opening night party outside Brockley Station.

Tonight's event goes on until 10.30pm and will feature SE Dub Collective, Ras Keith & The Vibration – Live Vocallective, Nocturne, Yasu, Peppermint, Paper Fish, Los Domingos, Ailsa Tully, The True Believers, Leila McNeelance, Creekside, Jay Johnson, and the Hummy Mummies choir. It will be hosted by MC Dre and produced by Ben and Richard Swan.

For the next nine days, local pubs and cafes will be packed with musicians, and parks will be littered with craft activities until everything collides into the Art in the Park closing party in Hilly Fields on June 4th.

To download the programme click here.

Brockley Max 2016: Story Sessions - Asylum

Saturday 28th May 3.30pm in St Hilda’s Church, Courtrai Road Crofton Park SE23 1PL

Asylum – stories and poems and music around the concept of safety/sanctuary or the need for it. This is partly to showcase the Refugees Welcome anthology (not published by us, raising funds for Red Cross Refugee work) and will include stories from the book. Stories will be read by a mixture of authors and actors – where the author’s name is in bold, they are reading.

Refreshments avilable from 3pm. (if you have the stamina there’s a singing workshop with Various Voices on the same theme at 6:45 in the undercroft.)

The line up:

- Music & story from Matthew Crampton from his book & show – Human Cargo
- Story Mouse by David Mathews, which is featured in last year’s Solstice Shorts and will be in the forthcoming anthology Shortest Day, Longest Night Read by Alix Adams
- Story Queues from Cherry Potts, from the Refugees Welcome anthology
- Story This England by Oscar Windsor-Smith from the Refugees Welcome anthology Read by Alix Adams
- Poems  Roots and Jail Break by Kate Foley* read by Katy Darby
- Story Etymology of Happiness by Jane Roberts from the Refugees Welcome anthology read by Katy Darby

Brockley Max 2016: Max at The Talbot

Brockley Max 2016: Jam Circus Takeover

Brockley Max 2016: Mini Music Fest at the Brockley Deli

The first of many highlights to share from this year's Brockley Max arts festival.

Applications open for Art in the Park

Art in the Park is the final day of the Brockley Max arts festival (May 27 - June 4). Hilly Fields will host a live music stage, food stalls and a craft market.

If you'd like to run a stall on the day, click here.to apply.

Brockley Max 2016

The Max team writes:

The Brockley Max arts festival is back for 2016 with a jam-packed programme of gigs, films, exhibitions, theatre, activities for kids and more besides. Most events are free and will take place in venues across Brockley, Crofton Park, Honor Oak Park and Ladywell.

The festival launches at 4pm on Friday 27th May when we’ll be taking to the streets for the Opening Night concert. Join us for this fantastic, free evening of live music outside Brockley station. The line-up includes a handpicked selection of the most exciting local musicians who are guaranteed to get the party started (4pm - 10:30pm). If you’re feeling creative, grab some paint and get stuck in at Merging Inks, a live and collaborative art jam where the external wall of 180 Brockley Road will provide the canvas (6pm - 9:30pm).

The festival unfurls over 9 days and further highlights include:

- Brockleywood Nights An al fresco film night under the stars, showcasing shorts from local filmmakers. Food and drink available. Don’t forget to wrap up warm and bring a rug!
Hilly Fields | 28th May | DJ from 8pm | Films from 9pm, VJ afterwards | Free

- Taking Shape An art competition and exhibition exploring shape. The winning entry will be bought and displayed by Shape Real Estate in their new central London development.
cueB Gallery | 9am - 4pm, 30th May - 3rd June | Free

- La La Piano Bar To The Max Prepare to sing your heart out as New York meets Brockley in this riotous night of cabaret hosted by David Roper (4 Poofs And A Piano) and the
fabulous Lady La La. Brockley Social Club| 8pm, 1st June | Tickets £12 (£8 concs)

- Art in the Park A glorious afternoon of entertainment for the whole family. There’ll be creative workshops, a storytelling tent, magic show, craft market, live music and dance
performances, plus food stalls and beer. Hilly Fields | 12pm - 6pm, 4th June | Free

- Martin Rowson The Guardian’s satirist will take to Hilly Fields to offer an irreverent view of the people (and animals) who use it. He will create a giant cartoon, live, during Art In
The Park. Expect babies, dogs and poo bags... Hilly Fields | 4th June | Free

- Treasure Trail Children will be transported to 1883, to help save Hilly Fields. They must track down all the wildflowers on their maps by collecting stamps from local Lewisham Card shops. Once their mission is complete, they will be entered into a prize draw. The winner will be announced during a lively gathering (featuring suffragettes) at Art In The Park. Stone Circle, Hilly Fields | 3pm, 4th June | Free

Brockley Max began in 2001 to help locals access the fantastic artists and musicians who
lived in the area. For further information please visit our website or email volunteer@brockleymax.co.uk to volunteer.

Brockley Max would not be possible without the generosity of its patrons and supporters, including Shape Real Estate, the festival’s headline sponsor.

Martin Rowson Brockley Max fundraiser, February 10

Political Cartoons: giving the gift of offence 10 February 8 pm at the Ladywell Tavern (80 Ladywell Road, SE13 7HS)

Martin Rowson, one of the UK's leading cartoonists and political satirists and 'scourge of the political establishment', will give his thoughts on the power of giving and taking offence, exposing the techniques, practice and purpose of caricature, followed by Q&A.

Be prepared to be shocked, enlightened and thoroughly entertained! All ticket sales go to supporting this year’s Brockley Max Festival. Over 16 years only. Tickets £11.49 in advance, £12 on the door. Buy tickets here.

Come early for a burger and beer for only £10, on production of your ticket.

The Brockley Max and Street Art opening weekend

Mira Off Licence, Brockley Road. Already looking better. Pic courtesy of Lionel Stanhope.

Brockley Max and the Brockley Street Art Festival 2015 have both begun, with the traditional opnening night Max gig outside the Barge now under-way and artworks already beginning to take shape across our shop fronts.

The Max will be fun, as ever, while the Street Art will leave a glorious, technicolour legacy. It's going to be great.

For the full Max programme, click here. For the Street Art site, click here.

Markers maketh mural

More goodies this weekend as part of the Brockley Max / Brockley Street Art festivals.

Jam and Max

Will be showing some new work as part of @brockleymax festival on 3rd June, so planning to make some prints for my favourite local haunts! First up...@jamcircus! #brockley #screenprint #printdesign #poster #posterdesign #vintage #elephant #postcard #se4 #london #behance #printmaking #prints

A photo posted by Prints Harry (@prints_harry) on May 18, 2015 at 2:57pm PDT

Brockley Max 2015

A map of all the participating venues at this year's festival

The Brockley Max arts festival returns (May 29 - June 6), topped and tailed with its traditional opening night party next to the Brockley Barge and closing Art in the Park party in Hilly Fields. In-between, there are dozens of events across 25 venues.

This year's highlights include an Open Studios at Dragonfly Place, Afternoon Tea at the Opera (both May 30th) and loads of live music at venues including The Orchard, The Talbot, Jam Circus and the Ladywell Tavern.

The full programme is now available to download here.

Brockley Max seeks volunteer co-ordinator

El writes:

Love working with people, supporting the arts, championing local communities and getting paid for it? We’ve got just the job for you!

Max Media Arts is looking for an experienced, part-time, temporary, volunteer co-ordinator to recruit, train and manage volunteers for the 2015 Brockley Max community arts festival. This is a paid position. Volunteers are the lifeblood of Brockley Max, so the volunteer coordinator is an essential role to making the festival a success. The main tasks will be:

*To develop a volunteer programme for the festival and the organisation;
*To recruit, train, manage and support volunteers to work on ticket sales, event management, security, administration etc.
*To review and update the organisation’s volunteer documents including induction documents, policies, volunteer records and rotas
*To network with similar organisations to share knowledge, best practice and volunteer opportunities

To find out more about this exciting role and apply for the position click here.

Applications must be in no later than 13th April 2015