Art of partying alive at Whitecross Street Festival

Published: 30 July, 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB

THOUSANDS flocked to Finsbury at the weekend to enjoy Whitecross Street Party’s giant open-air art festival.

Murals, sculptures, paintings and a giant washing line were all on display while youngsters gave dance performances and queued up to be face painted.

A raft of musicians provided the soundtrack to the weekend’s festivities and Whitecross Street food stalls broke from convention to open up for the weekend.

Mayor of Islington, Councillor Mouna Hamitouche, opened the event, which attracted an estimated 4,000 people including the local Pearly Kings.

The Whitecross Street Party was organised by Islington Council and St Luke’s Centre, and sponsored by EC1 New Deal for Communities, who worked with artists and local businesses to bring the event to fruition.

It marked the start of the street’s urban art exhibition, which runs until September 5. 

The art on show will remain in place until then.