Crook Street Gang's new CD

Thornton Heath obviously does not have the extreme cruelty and oppression of apartheid – different cultures happily swim together in the same pool and share the same schools. That can feel good. But the cultural groups of The Heath still mostly lead separate lives; meeting fleetingly in school drop-offs and children’s parties. So it was refreshing when a older white man like me, trudging up the hill from shopping, was approached by a young black man with an offer to gift me a copy of his latest CD. I get approached to embrace Jesus often enough, but this is a rarer and realer opportunity. The man introduced himself as Art Daley. I got home and put it straight on. He describes it as having a Seventies soul vibe, to me it’s articulate and often lyrical urban rap. ‘Portraits of a Player’ is nicely presented with ten well-produced tracks from the local Crook Street Gang.

A long sample from the namesake Arthur Daley bridges the b/w and generational cultural gap and reminds me of our shared cultural experience. At the same time corny rap words add to the gulf between us that still prickles out of this beautiful package of creativity. “RU a fag or summat?” and plentiful use of ‘Bitch’ means, I hate to say so bluntly but, it won’t get played easily to my young daughter or some of my friends. It’s these thorny taboo words can mark out the territory of our separation. How can we represent our whole multi-cultural community when such simple jags of difference and markers of oppression, can get in the way so easily? How are we going to get through this abrasive surface and get down to sharing culture and our different experiences as human beings?

The final track ‘Setting Sun’ to me seems to say it all for Thornton Heath and many other poor suburbs: “Guns don’t kill, people do”; “I wanna face up to my fears”; “I’m a mountain”; “Your raps worth more, than the waiting crack”. Listen to this track above all.

This is why Thornton Heath older folks like me should get behind the creative force of their sons and daughters – Art Daley, lead us into the future man!

See more on:
Facebook.com/artdaley
Youtube.com/crookstreet
arturdales@gmail.com

The writer of this review has recently published ‘Agit Disco’ with Mute Books:

Congratulations to whoever got this together! I love this trend to use trees for play purposes. We had just visited BeWILDerwood playpark in Norfolk, which is a good source of ideas.
Could do with a bit of work to clear the rubbish that’s accumulated around it.

Everyone enjoyed the day, enhanced by the sunny weather and community spirit, with many joining the group, providing feedback and recommendations about how the park could be improved.

The event showed off the park and its facilities to great effect, with over 14 free activities for all ages taking place throughout the day in various parts of the park. History and Nature walks explored the whole park; the sports facilities were utilised by Little Kickers, basketball and tennis coaches and even the trees were used by slackliners. The walled cultural gardens provided a wonderful backdrop to face painting, drumming workshops and arts activities, and the grassy area next to the children’s playground was bustling with children enjoying storytelling, Monkey Music and Boogie Mites. Even the dogs were catered for with a dog groomer and dog show in the meadow, with certificates going to six winners in various categories, including Best Young Handler and Best Six Legs!

And of course there was the food – everyone brought a picnic to share and enjoy with friends, family and neighbours.

A big thank you to Meike Weiser, Community Partnership Officer at Croydon Council, and all our members who contributed their time, contacts and cake to make our first event such a success!

Sunday 18 July 11am – 3pm

Timetable

11am Fun Run
11.30 Monkey Music
12.00 Nature Walk
12 – 1pm Facepainting
12.30 Drumming Workshop
1.00 LUNCH
1.30 Drumming Workshop
2pm Storytelling
2pm History Walk
2 – 3pm Facepainting
2 – 3pm Basketball
2.30 Boogie Mites
3pm Dog Show
3pm end of event

Ongoing sessions:

Art Activity
Little Kickers
Dog Grooming

http://www.grangewood.btik.com/

I can’t rave too much about this! Its like a prestige building but for the ordinary library users of Thornton Heath.

OK one word of criticism the children’s library which has returned to the ground floor after many years has the most amazing carpet but needs more sound dampening. I was there with just a few 2 year olds and it was deafening. How about a tapestry project or something?

In fact that is what is needed over all – some projects, readings, and performances to bring the communities oral culture in to meet the literary heritage that the library has at its core.

There will be FREE fun activities for everyone including • Fun Run (11am) • Facepainting • Monkey Music (under 5s) • Boogie Mites (under 8s) • Art Activities • Storytelling • Drumming Workshops • Bug Hunt • Dog Grooming and Training • Sports sessions • Yoga sessions • Park History and Nature Walk • Tea and Cake stall

Organised by the Friends of Grangewood Park. For up-to-date information and timetable visit www.grangewood.btik.com

So please make sure you vote for Grangewood Park.

Thank you.

Voting ends: 24th December 2009.

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