Culture Jam comes this year to London, Birmingham and Edinburgh
26 November - 3 December, 2010. Culture Jam—the music, arts and film festival that explores the Lithuanian experience in Britain—is returning for the fourth consecutive year, with events in London, Birmingham and, for the first time, Edinburgh. Culture Jam-4 launches on Friday, 26th November at East London venue Cargo with a gig featuring two of the brightest stars on Lithuania's music scene: the MTV Europe Music Award winning pop-rock sensation Jurga and electronica band Fusedmarc. Jurga will then travel to the Midlands and Scotland to kick off the Birmingham and Edinburgh legs of the festival.
Fusedmarc
First with a show at Birmingham alternative mecca The Rainbow on Saturday, 27th November, with the Edinburgh gig following on Sunday, 28th November. The weeklong festival runs until the 3rd December.
Other events include a photography exhibition at the East Gallery on Brick Lane, London with the work of Lina Scheynius, Julija Svetlova, Rasma Noreikytė and Vika Množinaitė among others; a selection of films from the late director and artist Artūras Barysas, the father of the Lithuanian avant garde; and even a textile and fine arts workshop with live guitar sounds at the Edinburgh.
Culture Jam was launched in 2007 by the UK Lithuanian Youth Organisation (JKLJS CIC), as a way of celebrating Lithuanian culture, stressing the contribution of Lithuanians living in the UK. Supported by Lithuania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lithuanian Embassy in the UK and private businesses established in the UK, the emphasis has been both on showcasing Lithuanian artists work and collaboration with Brits. Last year, over 1,000 people participated in Culture Jam events.
“From the beginning, Culture Jam has been about cultural integration and breaking down boundaries,” says Culture Jam founders Gytė Mankutė and Agnė Selemonaitė. “What we want to do is break stereotypes about the Lithuanians who come to this country, and do that through art and music. We have a group of artists participating in this year's festival who have been influenced greatly by British or Lithuanian cultures—and are showcasing that experience for the UK audiences. “With our great line-up of music, art and films, plus the expansion into Edinburgh, our aim is to more than double the number of people visiting the festival this year.”
Tickets are on sale for the London, Birmingham and Edinburgh shows at www.ticketsellers.co.uk. For more information and a full programme, visit www.culturejamuk.com.
FULL PROGRAM
LONDON
26Nov Fusedmarc & MTV Baltic award winner Jurga live 7pm @Cargo, 83 Rivington St., EC2A 3AY. Tckts £15
27Nov – 3Dec Photo exhibition. Private view 27Nov, 6pm 11-7pm, @East Gallery, 214 Brick Lane, E1 6SA. Free admission
30Nov A. Barysas film retrospective TBC
BIRMINGHAM
27Nov MTV Baltic award winner Jurga live 7pm, @The Rainbow, 160 High Street Digbeth, B12 0LD. Tckts £8
EDINBURGH
28Nov Interactive arts workshop with live guitar sounds 12-6pm @The Forest Cafe, 3 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 1EY. Free admission
MTV Baltic award winner Jurga live 10.30pm @Electric Circus, 36-39 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DF. Tckts £8/ £6 NUS
