Talkaoke is returning to Hackney in collaboration with the Haggerston Estate Resident’s Collective!

The Haggerston and Kingsland Estate has undergone significant regeneration over the past decade. This summer and autumn we are organising Estate Talks – a programme of free public events and creative workshops for the local residents to celebrate the community and imagine the future of the neighbourhood. The inspiration for the project comes from an award-winning film Estate: A Reverie (2015) made with the residents of Haggerston Estate by Andrea Luka Zimmerman – also a local resident. Read more about Estate: A Reverie here.

The original Haggerston Estate – now demolished. Photo by Andrea Luka Zimmerman

Our first event in the series will take place outdoors at St. Mary’s Secret Garden – a little pocket of wilderness tucked away in Hackney. Looked after by a local volunteers the Garden offer hands-on therapeutic experiences in growing things to everyone to improve physical and mental wellbeing.

Talkaoke is a live, pop-up talk show developed by The People Speak 29 years ago. The format is simple: a host sits in the centre of an illuminated round table; participants sit around the outside and talk about whatever they choose. Anyone can grab the microphone – there is no agenda, no panel, no pre-set topic. The host’s role is not to lead but to listen, draw people in and keep conversation moving. The table is self-contained and battery-powered, creating a natural focal point that draws people in.

Talkaoke at Haggerston Community Centre, 2018

If you would like to join us or have questions about the project, please email: margot@thepeoplespeak.org.uk 

Estate Talks is supported by funding from East End Community Fund.