What is there to do at Young Hustlers?
A whole host of things. Little and Grown DJs have young people making music on the market square, and there's face painting with Jayface. We've got a magician, circus skills and aerial circus with Circus Hub, and Lego Club. There's headdress making and drumming workshops at the Brazilian Cultural Centre, fantasy wand making with Megan Crooks Textiles, and Koulouri biscuit making at Forager's Kitchen for the foodies. It's just a day filled with lots and lots of fun for the whole family.
What are you most excited about this year?
The Djanogly City Academy Around The World reunion. It brings back the young people we worked with on last year's project, and the artists too. Milla Hanna, Chai Larden and Ling Peng are returning to perform on the Blend stage, and the young people are coming back to perform again, brimming with confidence. We love to see it.
You often get artists to go into work with the students in local schools. Is that happening this year?
Yes. This year's festival theme is Mash It Up, a journey of futurity and expression, and it's also the name of our school project. We worked with DJ Fever and rapper Omari Marsalis, running DJ workshops where students learned to sample and create new sounds. They'll be performing their own creations, blending genres, eras, and styles, at Can't Stop, Won't Stop from 1pm to 3pm.
How's the prep going?
Wonderfully. So much to do, so little time, but it's very exciting because we get to bring some new elements to the festival this year. There's toddler football on the plaza and some exciting workshops from Step n Groove and Capoeira Nottingham. We also have activities such as Mash Up Makers and Curious Creatures. So many wonderful things that we're excited to be a part of bringing together.
We wanted to share the joy of Hockley Hustle, where we raise money and have a real sense of community, and give young people that same feeling. It's so necessary to give young people a voice, and to let them express themselves and be joyful together, but even more important, to have them party with a purpose
Tell us what families should not miss this year.
Wake The Lion at Montana, bringing a family rave. The wonderful crew at ArtFest are taking over all the art at the festival this year, and we will have two live mural artists in the avenues. And Ay Up Puppets, whose large walkabout creatures will be out and about throughout the day."
How would you describe A Message for the Future?
A Message For The Future is a multisensory theatre production, an inclusive art installation and gig theatre experience for littlies aged 0 to 3, celebrating a journey of nature and kindness. Families will step into a magical future garden full of live music, rock and roll storytelling. Every part of this production is made to delight and ignite the senses."
And you have a parade too.
We actually have more than one this year. The IMPACD parade sets off at 12, and the Can Samba parade at 3 and 6, with crews including Expression Dance, Zodiac All Stars, the African Pride Troupe and Beatbots Dance Crew. Even the band Seas of Mirth will join in with their wonderful giant underwater creatures.
Why did Young Hustlers come about?
It came about as an answer to a question: what do young people do, what can they express, and what can they create together? We wanted to share the joy of Hockley Hustle, where we raise money and have a real sense of community, and give young people that same feeling. It's so necessary to give young people a voice, and to let them express themselves and be joyful together, but even more important, to have them party with a purpose. From as young as babies, they are now part of the Hustle legacy.
How do you recommend families make the most of both festivals?
Start at Sneinton Market for Young Hustlers, then slowly make your way over. When the 3 o'clock parade starts, you can naturally take a trip into Hockley, because Hockley Hustle will be in full swing. There's Lindy Hop dancing, choirs, magicians, circus acts and 50 live venues worth of music. Step n Groove are performing at both festivals, and what they have planned for Hockley Hustle is rather special. At 4 o'clock, make sure you're outside Broadway with your dancing shoes on.
Young Hustler tickets 2-17 are £4.40 including booking fees. Adult tickets £12.10 including booking fees, to be purchased alongside a child ticket.
Get your tickets here.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
