Kilburn High Road Festival to launch this summer

North-west London will host the Kilburn High Road Festival, a new community event running from July 31 to August 15. This festival serves as the final phase of the Kilburn High Road Project, a three-year undertaking focused on heritage and arts. Kiln Theatre has spearheaded this initiative, which has received partial financial support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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The project, titled 'Celebrating our Stories: the Kilburn High Road Project', has involved residents of all ages working alongside professional artists. Over the past two years, participants have collaborated on various art forms, developing creative abilities and fostering community pride. A spokesperson for Kiln Theatre stated, "As long as this heart lives, so too will Kilburn. Kilburn is at a crossroads. Local institutions are being closed, The Suits are sniffing around, and there's talk of 'rejuvenation.' When out of nowhere a mysterious object presents itself—the bloody, beating heart of Kilburn. As excitement around this unprecedented discovery spreads, the community is under threat. Can the people of Kilburn come together and hold on to what's theirs?"

The festival will transform Kilburn High Road into an open-air gallery. Photographer Roy Mehta will present portraits of five local business owners, including Kilburn Cycles and Sadie’s Bridal, displayed in shopfronts. These images will combine contemporary photography with historical materials to honour the businesses and their pasts. Site-specific theatre performances, such as 'This Road', 'Keith', and 'Meet Me Here', will also be featured. 'This Road' will guide audiences along Kilburn High Road with headphones, focusing on the area's food culture. 'Keith' will be performed in a local café, recounting the memories of a long-term resident, while 'Meet Me Here' will be a promenade performance in public spaces, linking past and present through the stories of three individuals.

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Additional festival events include 'The High Road: Unframed', a large outdoor art installation created with Action Space, and 'Sound of Kilburn', a live music project featuring a new Kilburn House Band performing at Kilburn Market. Kiln Cinema will host film nights, screening 'Kings' and 'Babymother'. Throughout the three-year project, Kiln Theatre has worked with over 20 community organisations, such as Ashford Place and Latin American House. A Community Advisory Board, comprising teachers, business owners, artists, and residents, has provided guidance on decision-making.