We are Lewisham
Lewisham was the Mayor's London Borough of Culture 2022.
In 2022, Lewisham came together for a year-long celebration like no other.
At over 600 events in venues, parks and street corners, to audiences of over 400,000 people, we told the story of Lewisham’s trailblazers past and present.
Our year showcased the borough’s rich history of activism through spectacular live performances, dazzling visual art and innovative dance, music and debate. We inspired change with a call to action on the climate emergency and a spotlight on Lewisham’s diverse communities.
Jointly led by the Albany and Lewisham Council, We Are Lewisham was co-created by and with the people of Lewisham, bringing together all of our neighbourhoods, communities and stories. You can download the Impact Report here and discover some of the programme highlights below.
The Albany has now been appointed as Lewisham Council’s Arts & Culture Anchor Organisation, supporting the Arts & Culture sector in Lewisham, and amplifying the incredible array of talent and work happening across our borough.
Introduced by the Mayor of London in 2017, London Borough of Culture is an award that sees London’s 32 boroughs bid for over £1m of funding to stage a programme of cultural events. The award brings Londoners together, putting culture at the heart of local communities to shine a light on the character of London’s boroughs.
We Are Lewisham was presented by Lewisham Council in partnership with the Albany as part of the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2022.
Watch some of the highlights of our year
Sun & Sea
Audiences watched from above as a day at the beach unfolded into a musical exploration of our relationship with our planet.
Sun & Sea - credit Ellie Kurttz
One of the most memorable events of 2022, Sun & Sea packed the Albany for two weeks during the summer. Presented in partnership with LIFT and Serpentine, the performance space was transformed into an indoor beach, brought to life by dozens of performers, as audiences watched from the balcony above.
Hundreds of local people volunteered as beachgoers, and performed as part of a community choir, bringing the beach scene to life.
The production was named Time Out’s top London theatre experience of 2022.
Review of Sun & Sea
A vision of a lazy day at the beach so gaspingly sad and beautiful it’ll have you fighting tears.
Time Out
Lewisham Sound System Trail
A trail of sound systems in venues and outdoor locations across Deptford and New Cross, which celebrated Lewisham’s role in sound system culture.
Lewisham Sound System Trail - credit Christa Holka
Lewisham Sound System Trail comprised a trail of sound systems placed in venues and outdoor locations across Deptford and New Cross, celebrating Lewisham’s role in sound system culture and the importance of the sound system as a sanctuary for diverse communities such as Lewisham’s GM, LGBTQI+, DIY, Punk and global communities.
Lewisham Sound System Trail spanned an array of musical styles reflecting our diverse community from earth shaking dub to roots reggae, global sounds, modern bass, electronic and dance music.
Featured Sound Systems and venues includes Deptford Queer Sound System day at Master Shipwright's House; Unit 137 in Deptford Market Yard; WWFM x Lemon Lounge at Creekside Artworks; and Dennis Bovell and friends in the Albany garden.
Feedback from Lewisham Sound System Trail
It was lovely to have people dancing of all ages, genders, races, sexualities, religions together in the sun. It was so fantastic!
Audience feedback
Climate Home
Young people took centre stage at pop-up venue, Climate Home.
Climate Home opening party, credit Ines Yearwood-Sanchez
Climate Home was a sustainable, inclusive and accessible outdoor performance space, built and run by and for, young people. It was created by SOUNDS LiKE CHAOS and the Albany, in partnership with Youth First.
Housed within an Adventure Playground, it was surrounded by swings, run arounds and grass and also home to a small youth club. During the Climate Home Festival of Action and Resistance, it hosted six weeks of events and activities, including creative workshops, performances, adventure play, get togethers, art, music, talks, rest and more, exploring creativity, climate justice and the things that matter to young people now.
It provided a safe and welcoming space for young people and the wider community to have fun, explore their talents and creativity, build new relationships and tell the stories of the local Lewisham community.
Feedback for Climate Home
The fact that we as young people can have ideas and they can actually happen, that gives us a lot of hope for us in the future.
Climate Home participant
Close to Home: The Mass Dance Event
An intergenerational cast of hundreds came together for an exhilarating dance performance that explored Lewisham’s history in a whole new way.
Close to Home, photo credit Ellie Kurttz
Close To Home: The Mass Dance Event saw a cast of hundreds of dancers of all ages weave together real-life stories of migration, community, activism, history and the people of Lewisham through movement and music.
Directed by Alleyne Dance, a UK-based company co-founded by Kristina and Sadé Alleyne, in partnership with IRIE! dance theatre, Dance Umbrella and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Close To Home: The Mass Dance Event was a beacon to profile Black creative leaders in dance.
Constructed with members of Lewisham’s community at its heart, local community groups including Lewisham Mencap and Queens Walking Group, primary and secondary school pupils, and university students were joined by a cohort of professional dancers for a truly inclusive and joyous exploration of what the notions of home and belonging mean to us here in Lewisham.
Feedback for Close to Home: The Mass Dance Event
This was a moving performance, and I will be talking about it for some time. A beautiful event and day that fulfilled my soul.
Audience Feedback
Funders and Partners
For Sun & Sea:
The UK premiere of Sun & Sea was presented by LIFT, the Albany and Serpentine as part of LIFT 2022, Back to Earth and We Are Lewisham. We Are Lewisham was presented by Lewisham Council and the Albany as part of the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2022.
Supported by Paul Hamlyn, The Golsoncott Foundation, Royal Victoria Hall Foundation, Muse and the Leche Trust.
For Lewisham Sound System Trail:
For Climate Home:
Supported by: Arts Council England, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Lewisham Homes, Muse, The Mayor of London’s Creative Enterprise Zone, Jack Petchey Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund: Together for our Planet, IKEA UK & National Lottery Community Fund: Places Called Home. Key delivery partners: Youth First, Practice Architecture and Build Up.
For Close to Home: The Mass Dance Event
Close To Home: The Mass Dance Event was directed by Alleyne Dance, and presented by We Are Lewisham in partnership with the Albany and IRIE! dance theatre, in association with Dance Umbrella and Trinity Laban. Co-commissioned by the Albany, IRIE! dance theatre and Lewisham Council as part of The Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2022 – with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.