From The Editor

Blackstock Road Festival of the Senses is a HIT !!

Much fun was had by one and all today at the small but perfectly formed "Festival of the Senses". As a local resident of some 10 years standing, I had never seen anything of the sort being organised on Blackstock Road before - so I went along, partly to enjoy the live music, meet local people, community groups and entrepreneurs; but also partly out of sheer curiosity!

I was pleasantly surprised to find bucketloads of community spirit that we Londoners so rarely get credited with! Here were local groups representing enterprise initiatives, housing and employment assistance, youth activity groups, churches and nurseries, all happy to provide information and assistance.

I also met many individuals and entrepreneurs who were passionate about living and working in Finsbury Park. They ranged from photographers to fine artists to singer-songwriters, to inspirational businesswomen working in fields as diverse as architecture, filmmaking, and creating unique organic skincare products!

/admin/public/finsbury-park-1.jpgThe food on offer was also well worth sampling: I had some delicious sweet Algerian pastries and cakes, which apparently increase fertility and have aphrodisiac qualities!! These delicacies seemed to go down very well with my fellow locals too, so if there is a population explosion in London N4 we know who to blame...!

Live music was also of an impressively high standard, and I was struck by the sheer diversity on offer - the African drumming, dancing and storytelling contrasted beautifully with solo acoustic material by some very talented singer-songwriters from our local area.

The kids were kept occupied with face-painting, customising canvas backpacks with their own artwork, hula-hooping and learning circus skills; and all-in-all it was a great fun-filled family day, despite the rather unpredictable weather.

Let's hope the organisers FinFuture continue to run colourful events such as these in Finsbury Park - I for one will certainly be coming along to the next festival!

PS: Many thanks to M Nacer for the mouthwatering photograph of Algerian pastries and cakes! Please feel free to add your own photos in the chatroom and noticeboard...



Other Posts:

29.09.08 -

18.07.08 - Blackstock Road Festival of the Senses

16.07.08 - Consultation meeting for "Blackstock Road Festival of the Senses"