A free arts festival across a five-storey complex, a cross-generational public artwork, an ode to Barnet-born George Michael’s hit song and a creative programme shaped by thousands of residents are among the highlights of Light + Flight, a borough-wide cultural programme bringing together artists, communities and local stories. The year-long programme of outreach, events, workshops and more is culminating this November in two special weekend-long festivals.
Light + Flight is presented by Art in Barnet. Barnet Council has collaborated with HemingwayDesign to curate and creatively produce the Light + Flight Festival, helping to lead the co-creation process that has shaped its programme with local communities, artists and cultural partners. It is fully funded by external sources – including a Cultural Impact Award, part of the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture programme, with additional support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.
Two weekends – one united vision of Barnet
The first weekend, 14–15 November, is hotly anticipated as it unfolds across
Finchley Lakeside – a five-storey complex with stunning views, now opening to the public for the very first time. Reimagining the site into a temporary cultural hub, the free two-day event takes over spaces overlooking the pine-flanked lake with largescale art installations, live music, film, performance, creative workshops, food, and the unveiling of a major new artwork: Ascendance.
The second weekend, 21–22 November, celebrates Barnet’s cultural hubs through true co-creation by responding to what local communities said they cherish most. From Barnet with Love takes over the RAF Museum on 21 November with a bespoke programme inspired by a historic moment of connection: Britain’s first official airmail flight from Hendon Aerodrome in 1911. And in the evening, the first performance of Lighthouse takes place at artsdepot as part of the venue’s LIT/UP weekend, followed by additional performances on 22 November, including co-created work from local community members, and a family day rave with Big Beat Playground
First weekend highlights (12–9pm on 14 November, 11am– 7pm on 15 November)
First weekend Eventbrite:
lightandflightfestival.eventbrite.co.uk
Special guests for the first weekend of Light + Flight will include Barnet-born Keith Brymer Jones, ceramic designer and judge on The Great Pottery Throw Down, as part of a soon-to-be-announced participatory event.
Ascendance
Created with public art organisation UP Projects, artist Matthew Rosier presents an ambitious participatory projection and soundscape, produced with over a hundred Barnet residents.
Blending large-scale visuals of young people, audio stories of elders’ migrations to the borough, recordings of local birdsong, and an original score, Ascendance highlights Barnet as a place of arrival for humans and wildlife alike. Video portraits of the borough’s young people, appearing to float, will occupy the large atrium space of a five-storey building. Ascendance will be unveiled as the sun goes down at 4:30pm on 14 November and will remain open to the public until 22 November.
More info: lightandflight.co.uk/projects/ascendance
Praying for Time
A collective musical celebration bringing together young musicians from the Barnet Education Arts Trust (BEAT), SACRE Multifaith Choir and London Youth Concert Band to perform a special new arrangement of George Michael’s iconic song, Praying for Time, by grammy award-winning artist David Arnold, the composer behind five James Bond films who has collaborated with the likes of Björk, Paul McCartney and Ed Sheeran.
14–15 November, from 4pm at Finchley Lakeside.
Solidarities
Solidarities is an experimental art installation by two Barnet-based artists, Becky Lyon in collaboration with Bill Daggs. It explores how connecting to our shared geologic heritage can be a way of connecting to each other across differences. Its title makes reference to both the solidity of rock and the act of being in solidarity with others.
The installation takes the form of a leyline, faultline or walk of sculptural objects crafted from local Barnet clay, reclaimed materials from the neighbourhood and stones (and their stories) gifted by locals. The installation will be activated by a collaborative sonic performance Imperceptible clouds, hail stones.
Solidarities will be exhibited at Finchley Lakeside, open each day. Saturday 12–9pm and Sunday 11–7pm
Stage and listening lounge
For the music programme, Saturday 14 November will be rhythm-led and danceoriented, while Sunday 15 November moves towards folk, spiritual jazz, soul jazz and experimental sounds shaped by improvisation, faith and resistance.
Sound Structures with Bill Daggs X Art Against Knives (Both days, 12–1:30pm): An open, drop-in music session inviting musicians, sound artists and visitors to bring an instrument, plug into a custom sound system and improvise.
Sounds of Barnet with Voices Radio (Both days, 1:30–3:30pm): A series of live radio broadcasts and listening sessions exploring Persian, Eastern European, African and East Asian diaspora musical influences with guest selectors and DJs.
Touching Bass Presents (Saturday): Touching Bass presents an evening of goodspirited music for little ones, families and elders alike by Alex Rita, Naima Adams, and Errol.
Basket of Light Presents with Poly Ritmo & Austin Cooper (Sunday): A music showcase featuring spiritual jazz, soul jazz, folk, live sets and light installations by Sway Of the Verses; Jiawei & Ru (Audio / Visual Performance); Tambourine Hands (aka Poly-Ritmo & Austin Cooper); Alkanna Graeca; and Grace.
Big Ears Sound System: A custom-built, handmade sound system providing highquality audio and a sculptural presence throughout the weekend.
Workshops
Across 14–15 November, artists and designers will lead activities spanning kinetic sculpture, light, photography, fashion and Barnet’s aviation heritage – with many contributing to collective artworks that grow and evolve throughout the festival.
Wind-Spinner Workshop by SPF50 (Both Days, 12–5pm): A hands-on activity where participants build kinetic wind spinners inspired by early aviation and the local landscape.
Beacons of Light by HemingwayDesign & PLYSU (Both days, 12–5pm): A collaborative making experience where visitors construct light beacons and create stenciled messages of hope projected onto surrounding walls.
From Barnet with Love Gocco Print with Emma Tominey: A community printmaking activity in collaboration with the RAF Museum where visitors view postcard stories from across the borough and print their own.
Couture Long Exposure by Store Projects (Both days, 12–5pm): A fashion, light and photography workshop enabling young people to “draw” with light using long-exposure photography.
Food and drink
Working with local food and growing communities, the food programme uses shared meals and collective cooking as a way to bring people together through cultural exchange, storytelling and celebration.
Black wine club: Pop-up festival bar with curated selection of wines, local beers and soft drinks set in a relaxed listening lounge.
Communal winter stew with Chaneti Stevens: A communal dining feast and conversation led by chef Chaneti Stevens exploring culture, identity and lived experiences, inspired by her experience of being undocumented.
Light + Flight gift shop: An alternative market and gallery gift shop featuring handcrafted homewares, art, jewellery and prints from local Barnet makers.
Local food & beverage stalls: A curated selection of local food vendors, hot drink specialists and artisan food and drink producers.
Second weekend highlights (21–22 November)
From Barnet with Love at the RAF Museum
On 21 November, Light + Flight heads to the RAF Museum for a day of art, local history, storytelling, live music, and hands-on activities for all ages, centred around From Barnet with Love – artist Emma Tominey’s celebration of the borough and the people who call it home.
Inspired by Barnet’s airmail heritage, From Barnet with Love has invited residents of all ages to share their memories, stories and hopes for the borough through postcards. Visitors can explore postcards at an exhibition, take part in creative workshops, hear live music from BEAT, take part in activities exploring flight and communication ranging from stamp collecting and a family trail to Morse code and semaphore.
21 November, 10am–3.30pm, RAF Museum London. More info: lightandflight.co.uk/events/from-barnet-with-love-raf-museum
