London Indymedia

London Mayday 300th Anniversary Party

Space Hijacker | 14.04.2008 15:40 | Culture | Free Spaces | Repression | London

The Space Hijackers and Metropolitan Police Cordially invite you to
Mayday.

Mayday 2008 is the 300th anniversary of the last free Mayday before the Grand Jury suppression of the traditional May Fayre in central London; a riotous, raucous celebration of fertility and freedom. From the 1st of May each year, and for up to two weeks afterwards, the people stopped working, rejected their normal routines then danced, drank, laughed and made love in the streets, jeering at the controlling figures of the Church and State, and turning everything they could upside down.

It was known as such "a nursery of vice and debauchery", that after 1708 the authorities, having had enough of this dangerous freedom and subversion, shut it down. Although there were some attempts at reviving it, the creeping spectre of gentrification made sure it couldn't continue, as the area of the fayre was gradually built over with palaces and playgrounds for the rich.

To commemorate this significant anniversary, and the still thriving tradition of over the top state control, the Space Hijackers and the Metropolitan Police proudly present a collaborative re-enactment of the end of this traditional May Fayre. Our modern-day interpretation of the cycle of uprising and suppression is in keeping with the attempted repression of parties, protests and gatherings enacted by the state throughout the ages.

In act one, the Space Hijackers will be inviting people to join a mayday street party in it’s traditional home, with music, bands, food and revelry. This will be later followed by the Metropolitan Police Players, who will be re-enacting a classic clamping down on civil liberties and freedom of the people.

All are welcome to this celebration, bring food, bands, mead, rum, codpieces, bales of hay, 18th century prostitutes, music, laughter, wonky teeth, corsets, bustles, spit roasts and virgins dancing around poles.

The exact location of the fayre is still a closely guarded secret, however it will be revealed closer to the date on our website

 http://www.spacehijackers.org

Space Hijacker
- Homepage: http://www.spacehijackers.org

Additions

Flyers for the event

23.04.2008 09:34

Flyer front
Flyer front

Flyer back
Flyer back

Here are the 'Official' flyers for the event.

see you soon

bristly pioneer
- Homepage: http://www.spacehijackers.org


fair point

29.04.2008 15:36

Bristly pioneer


NEW INFORMATION

30.04.2008 13:22

MAYDAY MEETING POINTS

1) Space Hijackers, Peasants, Aristocracy, Performers, Merchants, Peddlers, Strumpets and Virgins Meet in Green Park by Green Park tube, we will then head off to the May Fayre at 2:03pm promptly
2) Metropolitan Police, Fools, Soldiers and Vagabonds Meet outside Bond Street tube station, we will then head off to the May Fayre at 2:34 promptly
Please note it is very important you do not join the wrong meeting point, otherwise you will look like a total fool!
Call 07513 335 777 to catch up

See you There!

18th century ruffian
mail e-mail: mayfayre2008@gmail.com
- Homepage: http://www.spacehijackers.org.uk


Comments

Hide the following 5 comments

self-promotional event

24.04.2008 09:29

Sounds all good BUT why do the space hijackers promote themselves more so than the actually event. Its always "space hijackers vs.....". Sounds a bit ego-warrior to me. Or is that part of the arts council funding agreement?

MFI

mfi


not a competition

24.04.2008 10:07

Hmmm... actually, this time it's billed as space hijackers & the met police as it's jokingly a re-enactment.

As for why 'brand' an event... that should be obvious. When people know or previous exploits and reputation, they may feel more of a connection to those organising a future event and more (or less) likely to attend. It's totally normal. The wombles for example did it a lot.

Remember - it's not a competition.

us vs them


ok

24.04.2008 14:47

Fair enuff, see you on may 1st - I'll bring friends

MFI

mfi


And furthermore...

29.04.2008 09:57

Whoeever participates in a space hijackers action becomes a space hijacker - it's a verb as well as a name of a group of people. So promoting it under the SH name, as well as the good point made above, is about promoting the idea of taking over public space, and inviting people to join in the action, in a collaborative inclusive way. See you there! x x

A person


just one question...

01.05.2008 08:31

....where the hell am I gonna find a virgin in Brentford?
good luck with this comrades. can't get away from the orrifice, but it sounds fabbo

Daansaaf


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