New Cross Turn Left

WOW

2011-07-26T05:09:00.000-07:00

Sunday will hereafter be known as the day the sun came out. What a great time for a comics and cake party!

I think it's safe to say New Cross Turn Left was a roaring success. Thanks to our sponsor, Soaring Penguin Press, and to everyone who came.

In your honour, here's a massive photo post!

Photo by Kripa Joshi

Art by Megan Donnolley and John Miers, photo by Katriona Chapman

Performance by Nathaniel Metcalfe, photo by Katriona Chapman

Artwork by Walrus Zines, photo by Katriona Chapman

Cakes by Alesha De Freitas and friends in aid of Sam's Trust, photo by Katriona Chapman

Photo by Katriona Chapman

Photo by Katriona Chapman

Anonymous canines, photo by Susannah

Photo by Susannah

Actors from Legend Theatre Company, Photo by Susannah

Photo by Sergio Galaviz

Here's Forbidden Planet's wrapup, by Sean Azzopardi. We Are Words and Pictures were in cell 3, interviewing attendees of all descriptions - here's their post about the day. Can't wait to see their videos!

Thanks for coming, everyone!!!!!!!!!!!

New Cross Turn Left is TOMORROW!!!!

2011-07-23T03:14:00.000-07:00

Wow! We can't believe it. After two months of hard work, New Cross Turn Left is just around the corner!

We have a staggering 28+ folks on board to sell comics and prints tomorrow- plus some surprise special guests, including our sponsor, Soaring Penguin Press! And a few kitchens around London will be especially fragrant tonight as wonderful treats are prepared for our charity cake sale. Plus we've got comedy, art shows, a band, a book opening - it boggles the mind!

Even better, the five day forecast from the Met Office promises some long-sought after sun for the London area - perfect for basking in cake, comics and booze!

Give our video a gander if you're not familiar with the area, and don't forget how useful the Transport for London Journey Planner can be (use New Cross Station as your search destination, or our postcoade, SE14 6LG) - see you tomorrow!

New Cross and You

2011-07-21T04:59:00.000-07:00

New Cross can look forbidding, but it really isn't. Here's an updated version of a map of New Cross Ellen Lindner, one of our organisers, did for an earlier event - you can download a printable black and white copy here.

Some local sites to check out - we love Bearspace on Deptford High Street, a fab gallery. We also love Big Red Pizza, on Deptford Church Street. They're open until11PM on Sunday (a real rarity around here) and serve great pizzas in a converted double decker bus!

The Royal Albert's where we're planning on heading after the fun - it's open until midnight.

We have a bar and a cake stall on the premises, and we may order some pizza in the evening, so if you're planning to go for the duration, no worries - we'll take care of you!

Just remember - go to New Cross Rail - and turn left exiting the station (here's some video evidence that it works). Any questions? Leave a comment, and we'll happily respond with whatever advice we can give.

New Cross Turn Left: A Therapeutic Opportunity

2011-07-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

Here at New Cross Turn Left HQ we're been working hard to get together a fun roster of events and activities, to make your trip down South all the more enjoyable.

We're also interested in using our unique location - Deptford's historic Old Police Station - to best advantage.

The Old Police Station has four cells, dating from when the building was the local precinct house - this Sunday there will be a special, one-day exhibition in each.

By way of a preview, the following is a special announcement from Walrus Zines, our exhibitors in Cell 4.

Strengthening our ties with the University of Kominsance, we are pleased to support the important research of Dr Gustav Von Schneider and his team of specialists who'll be in the UK for the first time - offering FREE consultations investigating the phenomenon and danger that is SNS.

For support and advice about this crippling syndrome, please find us at New Cross Turn Left from 1pm - 6pm on Sunday 24th July.

The University Seal

The University Founder

See you there!

Comedy at New Cross Turn Left

2011-07-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

We, the New Cross Turn Left organisers, want you to be happy and amused all day at our festival. To whit, we've found some fine entertainers -including these two gents who'll be performing in the courtyard(weather permitting) at 7:30PM.

First up, straight outta Lewisham....it's Saban Kazim!!!

You may know Shabs' work from comic turns in The Comix Reader - but when he's not drawing, Shabs is a hard-working standup comedian, gigging constantly around London. Shabs will soon be taking his act to Edinburgh - but see it at New Cross Turn Left, first!

Next up - Nat Metcalfe!

In addition to his own Tombola of Fun night, Nat performs regularly with Josie Long at the Treasures of the Black Heart in Camden, and will also be taking his show on the road to Edinburgh.

Exciting stuff! We can't wait to see what new material these guys have got ready to bring to the comedy capital of the world.

One thing: all events at New Cross Turn Left are free, but we ask that you donate a few pounds to our performers if you enjoy what they're doing.

More to come: next up, a rundown on the exhibitions that will be on display.

See you very soon!

Welcome Knitters!

2011-07-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings to all those who are visiting this blog from Stitch London!

We are so happy to be welcoming Lauren O'Farrell, founder of Stitch London, studio-holder at the Old Police Station and author of Stitch London to New Cross Turn Left.

The New Cross Turn Left festivities will begin at 1PM - take a look at our sidebar for a list of all the activities - there's also a comics fair and a cake stall open all day.

At 4PM, 24th July, in the courtyard (weather allowing) of the Old Police Station (SE14 6LG), Lauren will be giving her first ever knitted graffiti workshop. If you think craft and art can potentially be the same thing, than you have to find your way to the Old Police Station two Sundays from now. It will be epic! If weather's a bit crap come to the café for some cake by Alesha and we'll announce the new location of Lauren's workshop.

Lauren's terrifying pet squid,

Plarchie, claims his first victim.

Photo copyright Deadly Knitshade.

See you there!

We have a sponsor! John Anderson of Soaring Penguin

2011-07-14T04:14:00.000-07:00

Many many thanks to John Anderson who's come on board New Cross Turn Left as our event sponsor!

Soaring Penguin, John's publishing company, is to the best of our knowledge the only comics publisher based in South London. They also publish fantastic poetry, and if all goes well there'll be a fun opportunity to contribute drawings to one of John's books for a lucky New Cross Turn Left participant.

Look out for John's reissue of Ellen Lindner's Undertow later this year, and plenty of great releases in the meantime. And many, many thanks to John for taking part!

If you'd like to sponsor New Cross Turn Left, rates are very reasonable, and we'll be very grateful!

Only ten days left - see you there!

Alesha's Cake Stall for Sam's Trust

2011-07-13T02:21:00.000-07:00

Big news for New Cross Turn Left - a lovely local lady named Alesha De-Freitas has come on board to provide us with a cake stall! Just like at a real village fete.

But - even better - Alesha's involved with a charity called Sam's Trust, a tiny, very new organisation started up in honour of an infant child - the eponymous Sam - who was the victim of an aggressive form of leukaemia. Sam's Trust works to fund research in childhood cancer at Great Ormond Street - where Sam received care - and elsewhere.

All of the proceeds from the cake stall will go to Sam's Trust - so you can feel even better about that brownie, slice of cappuccino cake, or massive cupcake you're about to shove down your gob.

To read more about Sam's Trust, or read about Sam, please visit their website. We've vetted them as completely as we can, so please buy - or donate! - in complete confidence.

See you on the 24th!

New Cross Turn Left: Getting Here!

2011-07-09T07:24:00.000-07:00

As the excitement starts to build, many would-be New Cross Turn Left attendees might be asking themselves - how do I ACTUALLY get to New Cross Turn Left?

Well, we're a big fan of the London Transport Journey Planner. Especially since it's a Sunday, we recommend that you plan your route the night before.

But getting to New Cross can actually be a lot of fun. Here's a little video we've put together to show the basics - the route from New Cross Station to the OPS. On the day, we'll do our best to provide plenty of signage - but if you watch this video, you'll see what a doddle getting from New Cross to the Old Police Station really is.

Some tips:
- go to New Cross, NOT New Cross Gate!
- if you get lost, ask for Deptford Police Station. We're right next door!
- look for a brick building with - and you'll see this in our video - a gnome on a post outside. We're at 114 Amersham Vale, at the corner of Amersham Vale and Napier Close, SE14 6LG.
- and most importantly, when you leave New Cross Rail - turn left!! Along the way, you'll see the Waldron Health Centre, the tracks of New Cross rail, the Mulberry Centre (a day centre for people with developmental disabilities), and some lovely allotments. When you see a big brick building come up on your right, that's us!

Please feel free to get in touch with questions - just leave a comment and we'll reply ASAP.

Lots of announcements coming up - see you very soon!

Quick bit of business....

2011-07-04T09:55:00.000-07:00

Journalists! Bloggers! You can now grab the New Cross Turn Left press release HERE.

Wowowowow! Julia's Flyer RULES

2011-07-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

Art by the fab Julia Scheele - please contact us if you'd like a copy for your café, school, business, whatever!

See you on 24/7!!!!

Event Reveal NumberTwo: Derek The Sheep Onstage!

2011-06-30T03:41:00.000-07:00

Come to New Cross Turn Left for the world premiere of Derek The Sheep and The Quest for the Googly Glasses, a fab all-ages play by Gary Northfield, based on his long-running Beano strip!

Timings TBD, but we're going to be putting this one on during the daytime, so comics-loving kiddies (and their understanding families) can attend! We're thinking 2PM.

If you don't know Derek, you can read all about him on Gary's website. The short version is that he's a very funny sheep who's always got a scheme on the go. Derek's often getting into trouble - but not always in ways you'd expect! Published by Bloomsbury in the UK, he's found a massive audience - and now will be immortalised on the stage!

Donations will be solicited - the actors have graciously waived their fee.

Thanks so much to Legend Theatre Company and Gary for giving us a first glimpse at their star property!

Event Reveal Number One: Art History Dropouts Book Launch!

2011-06-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

Our first event to be confirmed for New Cross Turn Left: An Art History Dropouts book launch!

A blog by cartoonists Barnaby Richards and Ellen Lindner, Art History Dropouts is the artists' attempt to figure out what would have happened if they'd met as university students studying art history.

This may sound simple - but when the future Dropouts explore a mysterious museum, there are all the moving eyes and Scooby Doo moments of terror they can handle! And to keep things interesting, all of the drawings are meant to be completed in one hour.

Art History Dropouts - The Minicomic will collect the first 40 drawings in the series (in full, vibrant colour!), with a guest drawing by fabulous local illustrator Noelle Davies-Brock.

And in a surprise twist, internationally renowned DJ Reginald Frothy will be the dog behind the decks.

(That is an actual photo of DJ Reginald Frothy.)

Sound good? The launch will take place at the Old Police Station from 6:30-close on the evening of the 24th.

More events - and exhibitors - to be revealed shortly! See you in New Cross...

The Deptford Dame: Thumbs Up!

2011-06-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

The fabulous Deptford Dame has started to put out the word abut New Cross Turn Left! We worried her with the old spelling of our event, but Julia's new logo should warm the Dame's heart - as well as our now fifteen strong exhibitors!
We're aiming for 20 by the 20th - so if you're interested in exhibiting at our Comic and Art Garden Party, please email Ellen at ellenlindner at googlemail dawt calm ASAP!

Welcome to New Cross Turn Left!

2011-06-10T02:37:00.000-07:00

Greetings, lovely London cartoonist, artist, or crafter!

We're looking for exhibitors for New Cross Turn Left: A Comics and Art Garden Party, to be held at the Old Police Station on Sunday, 24th July, from 1-11PM (114-116 Amersham Vale, Deptford, SE14 6LG).

The event is named for the most basic directions to the OPS - go to New Cross station, turn left on exiting, walk a bit, you're there!

Organised by Julia Scheele, Howard Hardiman, Ellen Lindner and Nevs Coleman, the Garden Party is just what we say - a garden party! We'll be selling comics, cakes, crafts and art, and we'd love to get you - a local artist- involved. In the evening we'll have a book launch for a minicomics collaboration between Ellen Lindner and Barnaby Richards, Art History Dropouts (http://arthistorydropouts.blogspot.com/)

This is a curated show, and we're focusing on South London artists and cartoonists. Not an artist or cartoonist? Keep reading for info on attending - we need you, too!

INFO FOR VENDORS:
For £5 you can sell your wares all day, either at one of our communal tables in the station caff, or outside in the courtyard (weather allowing, of course!) For that price you can also submit an exhibition idea for one of the station cells - yes, an actual holding cell, completely unchanged from when the station was Deptford's police station.

For £10 we will cater your lunch - a lovely Panda Panda sandwich and drink of your choice (£1 bubble tea supplement), delivered straight to the Police Station on the day. You also get cake!
Here's a link with the full menu: http://www.panda-panda.co.uk/

Interested?

Please email with exhibitor interest, exhibition proposals and questions - ellenlindner at googlemail dot calm

Once we discuss what you'd like to sell, we'll require payment via PayPal. We're aiming to have a full roster of 20 artists by 20th June (and we're well on our way to getting there!), so please get in touch with any interest ASAP.

We can't offer refunds, sorry (except in the case of complete cancellation of the event), so please be sure you can attend when you pay. Please don't send any funds until I've requested them.

INFO FOR PUNTERS:
You get in free! Yes, free. It's a party, innit? (A little South London-ese for you there.) There is a bar on the premises, and we'll be providing some food and drink for a small cost. Fancy bringing your own booze or a picnic lunch? We encourage this - makes our job easier! Just bring a blanket - our courtyard is a bit gravelly. We'll also be publicising local places you can get nice food.

We'll be putting up loads of maps and directions closer to the date - never fear! But getting to New Cross is dead easy. Go to New Cross rail (NOT NEW CROSS GATE!!!!! Pretend it doesn't exist!) via Overground or National Rail and turn left on exiting the station. Walk three blocks and you're there. Get lost? Ask for the police station. There are two right next to each other - the glossy new one, with hot(ish) cops playing footie in the back, and the grungy but lovely old one, with a gnome in front (you'll see!)

You can also find us using the nifty Transport for London Journey Planner, with our post code- SE14 6LG. http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/ New Cross is served by about 2,000 buses - one of them might be yours!

For details on the space, plus plenty of pictures, please visit http://www.theoldpolicestation.org/

For a quick overview of New Cross, here's a map I did for that 'other' New Cross event (New Cross Turn Left's location is on the map as the Fleece Station):
http://ellenlindner.livejournal.com/51358.html

Also, you can check out our group on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=231769933507070

More details to come - but for now we'd like to get any interested parties onboard.

Thank you!