Reading the tea leaves, things have obviously had a radical overhaul at Hackney Wick’s CRE8 Lfestyle Centre in the recent past, because on 20 March it had an official opening party (including the unveiling of a plaque) which was attended by Jonathan Edwards CBE and the Speaker of Hackney.
The building that the CRE8 Centre occupies is an interesting spot – a fine art deco public baths on the Eastway which dates from the 1930s (and which, as far as I have been able to ascertain, is the last building of its type to open in London). Today it boasts gallery spaces, a photo studio and editing suite, a performance space, cafe and, most intriguing of all, the Arc – an outside area which is:
an eco hub, permaculture gardens and sporting facility built using reused and recycled material from the Olympic Park.
Activities for young people take place at the venue on a regular basis – there’s the David Stinson theatre school for kids which operates during half term and summer holidays and Richard Gyesie’s London Coaching Foundation puts on lots of ‘have a go’ days and other opportunities to participate in sport, most of which are open to the wider community to enjoy.
The CRE8 Centre’s not shy about putting on innovative events either – they recently put together a multidisciplinary art project inspired by the Whitechapel Gallery’s Frida Kahlo exhibition which was focused on women, and coming up on 27 April there’s a women-only pampering and relaxation day.
Also on the calendar is yet another outing for one of the popular pop-up restaurant experiences – this time the Pig Club will be taking over the venue on 18 April for a ‘Creole Supper’ created by Fabiana Reis, chef de partie at the popular Duke of Cambridge in Islington.
On the menu will be crayfish, monkfish and some interesting dessert options – coconut milk sauce desserts or prune and armanac trifle. It sounds delicious! Tickets for the Pig Club’s Creole Supper are £40, and also include an evening of stand-up comedy from Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated Ben Target and also Matthew Highton. There’s cabaret from ‘Sidney & Percy’ who specialise in songs from a bygone age as well as a set from the Indie-gospel band Rafaeli. If having your ears and taste buds stimulated isn’t enough there are also going to several new art installations to look at on the night.
See the CRE8 Lifestyle centre’s classy new website and Facebook page for more information on everything that’s going on – things are becoming very exciting in Hackney Wick at the moment. The Yard Theatre’s new season is only weeks away too!
About Pete Stean
