The 2008 Portland Arts Festival Final Day

Sunday sees highly celebrated local band The Positively Test Card close this year's Portland Arts Festival. Before that the afternoon is time for the Portland Arts Fair. The fair is now in its third year - it was from the fair that the Festival sprung. This year it will be taking place for the first time on Woodside Green where you can see some fantastic dance acts, shop at local traders' stalls, eat and drink and (hopefully!) enjoy the sunshine. In the morning there is also a great opportunity to attend a free photography workshop by Andrew Gilpin - a professional photographer and photography teacher.

Dave Woodhead and The Positively Test Card

The Gold Coast, Portland Road. From 8:00 pm. FREE!!!

PPR are thrilled to announce that Dave Woodhead and the Positively Test Card will be playing the Portland Arts Festival. Positively Test Card are real local heroes. Check out the picture of them under local landmark - Crystal Palace mast - or pick up a copy of their album The Indestructible Beat of South Norwood for proof of their local credentials! And for confirmation of their hero status just look at them playing Glastonbury - a festival almost as prestigous as the Portland Arts Festival!

The Positively Test Card play Kwela. Kwela -- South African penny-whistle jive -- must be the world’s happiest and most uplifting music. Originally played on the street -- an ululance of whistlers and a guitarist -- kwela became the first black commercial music of apartheid-stricken South Africa. It had a brief heyday in the late 50's and early 60's, when thousands of Kwela 78's were made.

Dave has been in the Kwela game since 1995 and he played with such luminaries as Billy Bragg and Robyn Hitchcock before forming his band The Positively Test Card.

Check out the Positively Test Card website to hear samples of their sounds and find out more about the band.

The 2008 Portland Arts Festival Fair

Woodside Green, South Norwood. From Midday...

PPR would like to thank Croydon Council for allowing us to bring you the fair from the gentle surroundings of Woodside Green.

Malcolm Wicks M.P.

The Portland Arts Festival are pleased to announce that Malcolm Wicks, MP for Croydon North and Minister of State for Energy has agreed to open this year's fair. Malcolm is MP for the northern part of South Norwood and it is testament to his commitment to his constituents that he has found time in his diary to attend our fair. Thank you Malcolm!

Now the fair...

Mayura Patel's Aangikam Dance Akademi

The Aangikam Dance Akademi is a institute offering a variety of lessons in contempory and traditional Indian dances for adults and children. The Mayura at PAF 2007

Akademi was founded by Mayura Patel in 2005 to promote the cultural traditions of India. Mayura's formal dance training commenced when she was just 10 years old and she went on to win a masters degree in dance and has now danced for many important people and at many prestigious events. Muyara delighted the Portland Art Festival with a vibrant performance last year and she is sure to repeat that feat this year.
To find out more about Mayura and the Aangikam Dance Akademi visit www.aangikam.info.

Reminisce

Reminisce are making their first appearance at the Portland Arts Festival. Reminisce performing

Reminisce are an all-girl dance group who have been meeting since the end of 2005. They have been busy performing and competing around London with their energetic contemporary routines and are now beginning to get the recognition they deserve.
To find out more about Reminisce visit the reminisce myspace page or contact their management company Accapella at www.accapella.net .

Apsara Arts

Malti Patel brings her Apsara Arts team back for a second successive appearance at the Portland Arts Festival. Apsara Students at PAF 2007

The Apsara Arts motto is "building a bridge between diverse cultures through creative arts" and it is with this in mind that they work to share the beauty of traditional Indian dance with all communities.
To find out more about Apsara Arts visit www.apsaraarts.co.uk.

Isis Bellydancing

Come along to see Isis Bellydancing perform and you will no doubt find yourself up and dancing before they're done! Isis always follow their mix of team and solo performances with an invitation to the audience to join in so bring your dancing shoes...

Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation

C.Y.T.O. have been running open workshops throughout the Arts Festival and now here is your chance to see what you might learn from those workshops. C.Y.T.O.'s dancers will be giving a number of performances which demonstrate the different styles of dance taught down at the Shoestring Theatre.
Don't forget to check the other days for C.Y.T.O. workshops or visit www.cyto.org.uk.

Food, drink, arts & crafts, health and beauty and community stalls.

Stall Holders at the Portland Arts Festival Fair 2007

As well as a packed bill of entertainment there are numerous stalls to peruse and enjoy. There are loads of food and drink choices, art, craft and jewellery stalls and your friends at PPR have even applied for a license to serve you one or two cold ones on what we hope will be a sunny Sunday afternoon. Don't forget to buy some tickets for the PPR raffle too - prizes have been generously offered by South Norwood Clinic. They have a stall at the fair too so please go and see them or visit their website www.southnorwoodclinic.co.uk.

Also at the fair...

Councillor Steve Hollands makes the presentations to the winners of the My South Norwood Photography Competition, music from The Welch Family Musicians, more dance from the students of Morley College, and more and more and more...

Also today... starting at 11a.m round the corner at St. Luke's Church Hall

Photography Workshop with Andrew Gilpin

Professional photographer and photography teacher Andrew Gilpin is offering free demonstrations on two very popular themes: "How to get the best from your holiday snaps" and "Photographing friends and family". Bring along your camera and some of your own photos to get the most out of this great opportunity. Don't forget Andrew is round the corner from Woodside Green at St. Luke's Church Hall and don't forget he is starting early!

All Day Art Exhibition

St. Luke's Church Hall is open all day for you to enjoy the work of local painter Rhiannon Morgan. Rhiannon's work is on sale all day and also throughtout the week at Clements the Optician. Rhiannon paints in a variety of styles and she welcomes commissions so if you are looking for something special Rhiannon may just be able to help.

All Day My South Norwood Photography Exhibition

The My South Norwood Photography Competition is an all-are-welcome competition that runs in the weeks leading up to the Portland Arts Festival. The winner will be picked today by Councillor Steve 2008 Entries

Hollands at the fair so if you entered make sure you get down to Woodside Green to find out if you scooped one of the three cash prizes generously granted by competition sponsors Pro-Leagle. All the entries will be displayed for viewing all day in St. Luke's Church Hall.