The rampART was conceived as a non-commercial space to be used as a resource for campaign groups working on social justice and environmental issues in what might broadly be term the politics of the radical non-authoritarian left.

For many people the rampART has been a venue for many gigs and partys but the rampART is a highly political space and this is reflected even in the parties. The massive free festival for peace organised by The European Creative Forum and Peace Not War was accompanied by an afternoon of workshops. Likewise the recent benefit party for the Hacklab which combined information and discussion about the threat of software patents.

From the very start the rampART has always be run as a not-for-profit venue. Entrance is free or by donation, nobody gets paid and the venue never asks for a cut. Thousands of pounds have been raised during benefit events for groups and campaigns such as London Rising Tide, PeaceNews, Real2Reel, and Indymedia. Argentinian, Bolivian and Chillean solidarity groups have raised money for political prisoners and there was fund-raising for the anti-G8 mobilisations in Scotland.

Beyond parties, the rampART has also hosted meetings, discussion and gatherings such as a week long Venezuela Solidarity event during the Hugo Chavez referendum, a week-long series of talks, films, food and discussion about Africa; and the highly ambitious consious fashion week. Amoung the groups which have used the space for meetings are the International Solidarity Movement, the European Creative Forum and London Adbusters and the Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army.

Indymedia has been using the rampART as a venue for a series of film festivals. The first, covering social struggles in India, drew threats from right wing Hindus seeking to censor films about the massacre of 2,000 Muslims at the hands rioting Hindus in Gujarat. Other indymedia screenings include ‘Caminos De Resistencia (Paths Of Resistance)’ and the Middle East Film Festival. There has also been non indymedia organised festivals including Positive Global Movements, a week long exhibition of inspiring stories of resistance around the world. The weekly Free Community Cinema presented fictional films to documentaries including The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, ‘Fahrenheit 911’, The Globalisation Tapes, and Forth World War.

Another project to have emerged from the rampART is the internet radio station, RampART radio, which was set up to provide independent coverage during the European Social Forum last October. Streaming 24/7, it’s output is a mix of independent news, spoken word, plus conscious and revolutionary tunes.

Of course it’s important not to forget the ART in rampart. The venue has hosted the fresh talents of wide range of artists - from the mixed media of a beginning, the hardcore photos of ZDO9; the performance art from ‘chikukuango’; thought provoking sculptures in ‘the body’, a the hard hitting installation ‘the election’. Not to mention the painting room for the creation of many of the large banners seen at protests in london.



So we’re gonna have not only 1 but 2 days of birthday celebration:

streetparty, juggling, singer/ songwriter, spoken word, roofgarden, vegan food and drink, 2 YEARS rampART exhibition, open workshop space, films, live bands, djs... kids space available.

Non- stop Live broadcasted on rampART Radio. Tune in over the website: www.rampart.co.nr

Saturday, 27th may from 4 pm:
Streetparty with live action painting, shanties and singalongs with Jan Maat, anti- folk/ folk, poetry and spoken word.

Live on stage in the hall:
Tom Alder
Themistoklis
GM 13
Jacknifekid
Davidcronenbergswife

Plus resident DJs:
DJNE Sexyrubbersole (dnb)
DJNE Mondstrom (berlin electro)

Sunday, 28th may from 4 pm:
Streetparty with shanties and singalongs with Jan Maat, anti- folk/ folk, ‘the Adventures of Charlie Chog’ and spoken word.

Live on stage in the hall:
Malcolm Kaksois
Marianne Hyatt
M-A-L-E
Glassglue
Earthieves

Plus resident DJs:
DJ Dizzy (jazz-funk-da world)
DJ Milo (old skool funk and new beatz)

Entry by donation. Surplus money goes towards the space and to pay the performers expenses.


Let everyone know- spread the word.