May 2022
Commons: A Dance Festival
This venue-wide festival of dance is all about getting people connecting, interacting and moving again, and is taking over Stanley Arts this May. With the Commons Festival, Stanley Arts continues its commitment to showcasing dance for everyone with a joyful programme of exhibitions, workshops, performances and parties; all celebrating the glorious diversity of dance. Come and get inspired! From entry-level workshops to our infamous monthly Ballroom OTA there is something for everyone - whether you are a wallflower or a…
When spring smiles again on this high favoured town
An exhibition detailing how the former Croydon Canal, a long lost Victorian engineering wonder, shaped the foundations of South Norwood, before being replaced by the railways.
Indian Folk dance class for all ages and abilities with Anusha Subramanyam
Learn lot more than pretending to screw on the lightbulb!
Workshop to learn folk dances from different parts of india like bhangra, ghumar and kuthu.
Folk dance forms are the staple in bollywood dance.
The workshop would be led by Anusha Subramanyam, director of Beeja.
Introduction to Bharatanatyam with Anusha Subramanyam
Introduction to Bharatanatyam with Anusha Subramanyam, a classical dance form from South India. It is the most popular Indian classical form that is being practised globally today.
Kathakali Workshop
Experience Kathakali, classical dance theatre form from Kerala.
Explore how a Kathakali actor tells a story using movement, characters, facial expressions, emotions using language of mudras.
Poetry Workshop and Open Mic with Ebony
Artist and poet Ebony will be guiding you through different modes and techniques in the art of poetry, and how our minds can tell captivating stories should we have the right tools to categorise them. Poetry can be anything you choose, and Ebony will help you to decide what exactly that is, and how to translate it to your words. Come as you are and hopefully you can leave joyful and full of the knowledge that can assist you to…
Whisky Tasting with Exploring Whisky
Exploring Whisky (organisers of the Croydon Whisky Festival) are bringing their accessible, entertaining and always fascinating whisky tastings to Stanley Arts. Come and try 5 whiskies you won't find on the supermarket shelves and learn how to 'taste like a pro', explore the different styles and processes involved in whisky production and sample some surprising whiskies from all around the World - it's not just Scotland that produces liquid Gold anymore so spread your whisky wings in the stunning surrounds…
AltBlax x F*** It Up Fridays x Let’s Have a Kiki #TheParty
For this special edition of F*** It Up Friday, as part of the Commons dance festival, we're honoured to be joined by AltBlax and Let’s Have a Kiki! AltBlax AltBlax collective was founded on creating safe fun and joyous spaces for Black Queer, Trans and Gender noncomforming people. For AltBlax, raving is a form of protest and resistance; "We love to party just like our ancestors did and continue to, through our bodies." F**K It Up Fridays F**K it up…
Croydon Canal Talk with Joseph Cook
A free talk on the history of Croydon Canal as the culmination to the When Spring Smiles Again On This High Favoured Town exhibition.
Commons: Finale Show
Commons Festival reaches its pinnacle with a big night of dance. Featuring a triple-bill of fresh new performances from the voguing Ballroom scene, hip hop community and more, in collaboration with community participants and a curtain raiser from our very own BirdGang’s youth company, BirdKdz! The Ballroom performance will be explosive featuring performers from: The Kiki House of Laveaux The Kiki House of Louboutin The Kiki House of Versace All on one dance floor! Then finish the night on the…
Sunday Market: All Stalls
The Stanley Arts Sunday Market is back! We will be hosting monthly markets in the Main Hall with local produce, local arts and crafts, and new local food every month. This month we're open to all stalls! Come along to check out South London's best vintage clothing, artwork, cake, jewellery, crafts and more, in the grand indoor space that is the main hall. The market will run from 11-4, with the cafe providing a lovely array of food and drink…
Rejoice badhayaan – community dance workshops
Looking to try something new? Come along between 30 May - 2 June, 7-8.30pm to co-create a new dance piece in celebration on the platinum jubilee with choreographer Anusha from Beeja Dance.
