Please note that this event has already occured.
Key information
Start date: Saturday 23 November 2019
End date: Sunday 24 November 2019
Venue: Walthamstow
Cost: Free
Mayor of London and Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019 present a free festival to celebrate the work of Deaf and disabled artists.
Liberty, The Mayor of London’s free festival celebrating the work of Deaf and disabled artists is coming to Waltham Forest. Presenting an exciting weekend of cutting edge arts in the spaces and places of Walthamstow produced in partnership with Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019. This year’s Liberty presents a diverse programme of ground-breaking art and performance.
We are delighted to be working with the Mayor of London to bring Liberty to Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019. As we move towards the end of the year, we can showcase some of the fantastic work developed through our grants programmes this year, alongside some of the nation's leading companies working with D/deaf and disabled artists. Liberty is an example of our commitment to supporting the capacity of local businesses and venues to host cultural activity, and to make what they do more accessible and inclusive for all.
Fri 22 – Sun 24 Nov
Waltham Forest Community Hub, 18a Orford Road Walthamstow Village E17 9LN
Free to attend, drop in at any time: Friday 22 November 6pm-9pm, Saturday 23 November 11am-9pm, Sunday 24 November 11am-5pm
An exhibition that uses sound, projections and holograms to immerse the audience in the imagined landscape of the artist’s brain, inspired by Ebizie’s rare neurological disorder Visual Snow.
An adjoining room will be transformed into a sensory antechamber, designed to complement the main installation. Feel free to spend time there before and after visiting the installation. The sensory space has been designed with the needs of neurodivergent people, including autistic people, in mind. There will be three accessibility artists in the space to cater to visitors needs.
The main installation space is a large, dark room lit by projected lights and pictures in the form of a labryinth. There are flashing lights but no strobes. Loud music will be playing continuously.
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
BSL interpretation available on Sunday 24 November.
Shuttle bus drop off on Sunday 24 November
Distorted Constellations Closing Salon
Sunday 24 November 7pm - 10pm
Free but ticketed
Join artist Nwando Ebizie, Neuroscientist Professor Sophie Scott and music journalist Joe Muggs for an evening of performance, music and sensory experiences exploring science, art and ritual to bring Distorted Constellations at Liberty to a close.
Audio description available
Sat 23 Nov
Free to attend, just turn up. Limited capacity, arrive early to avoid disappointment. Suitable for ages 18+.
Deaf Rave club night 6pm – 10pm, Welcome to the Forest Bar 186 Hoe Street E17 4QH,
Organised by deaf people, for deaf people, Deaf Rave brings a line-up of d/Deaf performers to this visual and captivating evening club event.
Saturday 23 November
DJ Workshop 12 noon and 2pm
William Morris Community Centre, 6-8 Greenleaf Rd E17 6QQ
Free, but ticketed - book here
Come and have a go at using Dj-ing software with Subpacs (vibration backpack)
For ages 10+
BSL interpretation available
BSL taster workshop
1pm and 3pm, William Morris Community Centre
Free but ticketed – book here
Learn and embrace a new language and experience Deaf Rave’s enrichment of Deaf Culture
For ages 10+
Sun 24 Nov
11.30am, Walthamstow Library, High Street, Walthamstow E17 7JN
Using storytelling, physical theatre, British Sign Language and a combination of anything they can get their hands on, Handprint Theatre make theatre accessible to both Deaf and Hearing — allowing all to share stories which communicate across language, disability or culture. Performance, 11:30 – 12:15pm and workshop 12:15pm – 1pm.
For ages 3+
BSL interpretation available
Sun 24 Nov
12.30pm & 1.30pm, Walthamstow Trades Hall, 61-63 Tower Hamlets Rd, E17 4RQ
Stopgap Dance have been working with Walthamstow choreographer Shyne Phiri to develop an original dance piece, responding to themes of human interdependence, strength, and vulnerability.
Shuttle bus drop off available
Sun 24 Nov
12pm – 5pm, BANGS hairdressers, 66 - 68 Hoe St, Walthamstow, London E17 4PG
The vacuum cleaner & Heart of Glass are taking over BANGS hairdressers on Hoe Street, sharing the work and process of artists involved in MadLove – TakeOver Festival in St Helens. In collaboration with world famous disability company, Touretteshero, they will present a Knowledge Exchange project in the salon.
Drop in event, limited capacity
Captioning available
Sun 24 Nov
2pm – 3.10pm, Walthamstow School for Girls, Walthamstow, London E17 9RZ
Multi-award winning writer, performer and broadcaster Byron Vincent turns his sharp wit and curious mind to the modern malaise. Byron Vincent is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, but with dying icons, impending climate catastrophe, isn’t blind panic the only sane response?
For ages 16+
BSL interpretation available
Audio description available
Shuttle bus drop off available
Sun 24 Nov
6.30pm and 7.30pm, Walthamstow School for Girls, Walthamstow School for Girls, Church Hill, Walthamstow, London E17 9RZ
Choreographed by Arlene Phillips and danced with passion and sensitivity to a collection of pop songs, dancers Joel and Laura offer audiences a potent and emotive exploration of how we fall in and out of love over and over again, often with the same person.
Audio description available
Shuttle bus drop off available
Sun 24 Nov
4.30pm and 8.15pm, Walthamstow School for Girls, Walthamstow School for Girls, Church Hill, Walthamstow, London E17 9RZ
The Unlimited House of Krip celebrates the fusion of D/deaf and disabled performers with the gloriously extravagant world of vogue ball culture. Fittings Multimedia Arts formed a “House” of Deaf performers to walk in the Legendary House of Suarez Vogue Ball and the process - from auditions to performance - was recorded as a celebration of diversity.
For ages 16+
This film is captioned
Audio description available
Shuttle bus drop off available
Sun 24 Nov
4pm – 9pm, Walthamstow Trades Hall, 61–63 Tower Hamlets Rd E17 4RQ
An afternoon showcase of new work and ambitious ideas from Deaf and Disabled artists living and working in Waltham Forest. From music to performance, drag, comedy, dance, theatre and more, each scratch will be 15, 30 or 45 minutes long.
Fri 22 – Sun 24 Nov
09.30am – 3.30pm, Lloyd Park, E17 4PP
Free to attend - turn up or book a timeslot for priority access.
Architects of Air’s monumental inflatable sculpture of colour, air and light is coming to Lloyd Park.
This installation is accessible to wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments with step free access throughout. Mobiloo changing places toilet and accessible toilet nearby.
Shuttle bus drop off on Sunday 24 November
Sun 24 November, 10am-1pm,Lloyd Park
Try out Bikeworks’ range of adapted cycles and two wheel bikes around the park for up to 20 minutes at a time. Sessions are open to all and operate on a drop-in basis, just register with a member of the team upon arrival. Helmets provided.
Mobiloo changing places toilet nearby.
Accessibility
Most performances will be free to drop-in, with a number of free ticketed talks and workshops. All venues taking part in Liberty will have a range of access facilities, and there will be additional accessible transport available to take audiences between events.
London Borough of Culture is working with live music and event accessibility charity Attitude is Everything to support Waltham Forest venues to make what they do more accessible and inclusive for D/deaf and disabled people.
- Full Liberty programme
- Full Liberty programme and accessibility information - large print
- Downloadable accessibility information in all formats
On Sunday 24 November accessible shuttle buses will operate from Tottenham Hale Station to Liberty and between Liberty venues. Check access information for full details.