The Dialogue Express Café, a unique social enterprise in Newham, is excited to announce the Stratford Community Jazz Festival on Sunday 14th September 2025. This all-day, family-friendly event will feature live music from “The NEWHArMonics Jazz Collective” from Jazz East, bringing together music lovers and community members in a celebration of inclusion.
Held at Dialogue Express Café – the coffee shop on a vintage train carriage, run by deaf baristas on the Carpenter’s Estate, just a short walk from Stratford Station, the festival will serve as a prelude to National Inclusion Week (September 15-21). The theme, “Now is the Time,” perfectly aligns with the mission of the Dialogue Express Café, a social enterprise that employs and trains deaf and hard-of-hearing staff. The event aims to demonstrate the power of music and shared experience to create a more inclusive society.
Festival-goers can look forward to a full day of live jazz, delicious coffee, cocktails, food, and community networking. The event will also feature games and giveaways for the whole family, ensuring there is something for everyone.
Hakan Elbir founded the Dialogue Express Café to increase deaf visibility, had he has a powerful mission: to increase opportunity and visibility for the deaf community. The café serves as a training ground where staff learn new skills in a bustling environment. But the most unique part? It invites Londoners to step out of their comfort zone and communicate in British Sign Language (BSL) via an ipad when you order!
Hakan Elbir, founder of Dialogue Express Café said:
“The festival will be a celebration of the local community, with three groups from the London East Jazz network playing. And the best news is the event is completely free, all you need to do is register for the event! We can’t wait to see you there”
To ensure full accessibility for all attendees, BSL (British Sign Language) interpreters will be available throughout the event. This commitment to inclusion is a cornerstone of the festival and reflects the Dialogue Express Café’s core mission.
Event details:
What: Stratford Community Jazz Festival
When: Sunday, September 14, 2025
Time: All-day event
Where: The Dialogue Express Café, Carpenter’s Estate, Stratford (near Stratford Station)
Admission: Book your free ticket now to receive a complimentary gift upon entrance:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stratford-community-jazz-festival-tickets-1590574403859
