Happy May! Spring is finally here(ish) and we’ve got a variety of exciting events happening throughout this month in our buzzing building. Read all about our May #FriendsofSTH below. 

New Projects

Local Lounge 

7 May – 28 June

This month we are opening our Front Room space for FREE for the local community to use as part of our new Local Lounge project. The space can be used for meetings, social events, creative workshops, training sessions and more, and we’d love to hear from individuals or organisations based in Hackney, including grassroots, charities, not-for-profit organisations or creative individuals who’d like to take part. Find out more by clicking here.

Shoreditch Town Hall History Tours

7 May

Coinciding with Hackney History Festival, join us on a history tour around our Grade II Listed building, and explore spaces that are never usually open to the public. You will learn about the architecture & design of the building, and how its use has developed over the years from a municipal building that opened in 1866 to the leading arts venue it is today. Plus, you’ll hear about the Women of Shoreditch Town Hall, following our recent series of blog posts and short videos. Find out more by clicking here.

Exciting Events 

Jay Blades Presents Craftworks

15 – 17 May

If you’re a collector, an interior designer, an architect, a retail or hospitality buyer or someone who appreciates and purchases beautiful pieces of craft – this trade show is the perfect opportunity to discover one of a kind pieces and bespoke collections. At this three-day event, explore Craftworks exhibitors, hear from some of the masters of the industry in their panel sessions, and have the opportunity to see workshops and demonstrations with the world’s finest craftspeople. You can find out more about the exhibition by clicking here.

Town Hall Tea Dance

20 May

A Shoreditch Town Hall classic! Once a month we invite you to join us for a cuppa, a slice of cake and to relive those Tea Dance memories in our magnificent Assembly Hall. New dancers, group parties and all ages are welcome, and a Beginners’ Dance Class led by former world champion, Raymond Root takes place before every dance. You can book on our website by clicking here.

London Metropolitan University: BA End Of year Performance

23 – 25 May

London Metropolitan University return to The Ditch for the Theatre and Performance BA students’ final show. You can find out more about the course by clicking here.

Positive East: Rays of Resistance

24 May

Positive East presents Rays of Resistance – an unforgettable evening of celebration set against the powerful backdrop of the arts’ role in HIV/AIDS activism. Get ready for a dazzling display of music, dance, and spoken word performances. Witness how seminal artworks from the past challenged stigma and fostered a sense of community, while powerful voices of today ignite hope and inspire action. Find out more by clicking here.

Workshops

Ballet Queer: The Queer History of Us

7 May – 28 May

Ballet Queer‘s new series of FREE weekly workshops continues throughout May. Sessions will be led by founder and choreographer Jonathan Watkins, alongside creative collaborator Araminta Wraith – a dancer and theatre maker, and past soloist with Scottish Ballet. Specifically for LGBTQ+ Hackney residents without formal dance training sessions will use informal ballet practice, movement and dialogue to explore queerness and build community. Participants are welcome to join just one or all six sessions. Find out more by clicking here.

Theatre RE: Monthly Training Class

26 May

Occurring monthly since September 2021 in partnership with Shoreditch Town Hall, Theatre Re‘s Sunday professional classes aim to support professional, semi-professional, recent graduates and performers-in-training in their regular practice with monthly day-long training sessions with a community of like-minded creatives – Led by Theatre Re Director Guillaume Pigé and other members of the company. Find out more and book on our website by clicking here.

Marawa’s Majorettes

Weekly

Marawa’s Majorettes make everyone fall in love with hooping! They’ve become a leading fitness team and international performance troupe, teaching the world to hoop as they go. Every week we support the Majorettes in giving them space to rehearse at Shoreditch Town Hall. Find out more about them by clicking here.

Supporting the wider artistic community

ThisEgg R&D: A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here

Ongoing

Throughout the month ThisEgg will be rehearsing A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here, a new solo show by Josie Dale-Jones in celebration of togetherness. ThisEgg is a multi-award winning theatre company who devise new work that responds to the world we are living in. You can find out more about the company and their upcoming projects by clicking here.

Artist Workspace

Ongoing

Our Made in Shoreditch: Artist Workspace initiative continues this month as we support artist development and the creation of new live performance. You can book a desk space for a day or week at a time, benefiting from a dedicated and safe communal working environment, interaction with other artists, and advice sessions with Town Hall staff. Find out more and book a desk by clicking here.

Want to hear more about opportunities for artists and creatives?

For first access to all of our artist-focused opportunities, such as discounted space hire, ticket offers, creative workshops and more you can sign up to our Artists’ Mailing List by clicking here.