Knowle West Fest online this Saturday – still time to register for your festival packs

Main image: Headliners Da Fucherman with residents at last year’s Knowle West Fest. Image Marcus Way courtesy of Filwood Community Centre.

The eagerly awaited Knowle West Fest will be kicking off at 1pm this Saturday (12 September) – and for the first time will be streamed online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Local people can look forward to 10 hours of music, workshops and performance and watch for free from their homes via the Knowle West website.

And to help residents get fully into the spirit – Knowle West households can register for special festival packs containing craft materials and treats created by local artists – which will be delivered to their homes

The annual festival is usually held late summer or early autumn – and was first staged in 2015 to bring the community together and celebrate “the different cultures, ages and talents” in the area.

Every year, local organisations and residents work together to organise the festival – with one organisation taking overall responsibility for running it.

Knowle West Fest 2020 is coordinated by digital arts charity Knowle West Media Centre, and is part of  Filwood Fantastic project – funded by Creative Civic Change and Bristol City Council.

The online event promises an exciting mixture of music, film and crafts – some activities have been pre-recorded while others – such as workshops – will be taking place live. 

Most will be shared on Youtube for people to watch at their convenience via the festival web page.

Some sessions people will have to sign up to in advance – and will be sent a separate link to an online meeting space by the workshop facilitator.

Activities include interactive theatre show The Anarchist’s Mobile Library – where children and their families can experience an exciting theatrical experience at home. From 8am on the day of Knowle West Fest you’ll be able to sign up to receive a link to play.

There will also be the chance to make a mini golf obstacle with Make it with Meg , artist Megan Clark-Bagnall. who has been hosting virtual Club House meetings for neighbours as they create DIY golf courses.

Families can also take part in yoga classes with Kelly Sheldrick who has been teaching at Filwood Community Centre and moved classes online during lockdown – or create lanterns and portraits with Bristol artists Alan May and Ruth Meyers to be displayed later in the year on the Walk of Hearts and Stars.

Music highlights include the Bristol Reggae Orchestra, local brother and sister duo Perfect Soul and Knowle West resident Kala Chng with her blend of Chinese pop who has performed at the last two festivals.

There will also be sets from local DJs Bunjy and Gangster Steve as well as film screenings from Cables & Cameras – an dependent film company which supports filmmakers and creatives from BAME (Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic) backgrounds.

Martha King from KWMC, who is co-ordinating the event with Josephine Gyasi says: “It’s a chance to celebrate the Knowle West community and bring the festival vibe right to your house – as we haven’t been able to go physically to festivals this year…

“It’s a way to still showcase local talent, find out more about all the amazing community projects – and learn about some of the brilliant things that have still managed to happen through lockdown…” 

And if you can’t make the day don’t worry – most of the public activities shared on Youtube and on the festival web page will still remain visible after the festival.  

The festival programme takes place online from 1-11 pm on Saturday 12 September #KWFest2020

For the full programme and list of acts visit https://www.knowlewest.co.uk/kwfest2020/ #KWFest2020

Festival packs are limited so register now at https://tinyurl.com/kwfestivalpack20