Chart-topping 90s stars headline free disability festival in London
Alison Limerick
Russell Lerner
Dance music legends Alison Limerick, Baby D and Rozalla are playing the 10th anniversary Disability Festival In The Park at Christchurch Green in Wanstead on Wednesday 17th July 12noon-7pm
Legendary dance music acts Alison Limerick, Baby D and Rozalla are to headline the 10th anniversary of London’s free Disability Festival In The Park on Wednesday 17th July at Christchurch Green, Wanstead, from midday to 7pm.
The much-loved annual bash is being held as part of celebrations for Disability Pride Month UK 2024. It's created by disabled artists and designed to be accessible for the disabled community, their friends, families and carers - but everyone is invited.
The ‘Where Love Lives’ singer Limerick will be joining by fellow 90s chart toppers Baby D - ‘Let Me Be Your Fantasy’ - and Rozalla - ‘Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)’ - on stage at the open-air shindig, backed by a host of disabled DJs and performers.
The line up also includes comedy, Brazilian dancers, African drumming and a drag show, with health and wellbeing workshops, food and drink stalls, market stalls and fun fair rides.
This year, the festival is also partnering with Tate Modern who will be hosting a special art exhibition and workshop themed Local Heroes, and Central Saint Martins University of Fashion will be exhibiting a fashion collection for wheelchairs in collaboration with Paralympian medallists Samanta Bullock and Lily Mills at the event, which takes place across two stages.
As well as being a whole day of fun and entertainment, The Disability Festival in the Park also raises awareness of disablement and its challenges. It’s organised by the London Borough of Redbridge along with its disability service providing partners in the borough.
Russell Lerner, CEO of charity Uniting Friends and chair of the organising committee for this year’s festival, said: "This very special arts and music festival has grown year on year, and the team are exceptionally committed to providing a free event that gives disabled entertainers a platform to showcase their talent.
“We understand that this type of representation gives the audience a sense of pride and emboldens their self esteem to see artists that they identify with sharing a main stage with music headliners. Truly, there is no other festival in London that is dedicated to this mission and we hope this year will break all attendance records".
Disability performer, drag artist and activist Crip Ladywood, who’s appearing at this year’s festival, added: "This event is so important to our community, as there really is nothing else that offers us such quality of entertainment and identification. The festival provides facilities designed to make this truly accessible and I hope we only hope more events like this will start to emerge and use the Disability Festival in the Park as a template of a fantastic event curated by us for us".