Signalling the first steps toward normality, two female grassroots festival organisers are joining forces to host the biggest Black cultural event we have seen in the UK for a very long time.
Vinna Best, founder of CurlyTreats Natural Hair Festival and Wendy Cummins, founder of Radiate Festival are uniting to bring together the power of both brands to audiences who have been starved of these types of big, cultural events due to the pandemic.
Both annual festivals, which regularly attract 5,000-strong crowds, have been postponed throughout the pandemic, like many other large-scale events. Showing that we’re stronger together, both Vinna and Wendy, whose friendship strengthened throughout the hardships their industry faced, are uniting for one special weekend, bringing together the power of both brands to provide visitors with a fun and exciting memorable experience post lockdown.
Credit: CurlyTreats Fest
Up to 4,000 visitors are expected to attend each day of the two-day (19-20 June 2021) outdoor event at London’s Crystal Palace Park. Crowds will get the best of both worlds, with attractions from both brands on display. The joint festival will provide a unique experience with a variety of empowerment sessions, musical acts, fashion, art, food & markets – while strengthening the community.
For those who are not familiar with the festivals, CurlyTreats Fest is an impactful celebration of Black women and girls, promoting self-love and empowerment all centred around the celebration of Afro natural hair.
Radiate Festival honours the real culture and heritage of Black Londoner’s from the Caribbean and celebrates the Windrush pioneers the generations who followed.
At the best of times, organising such large-scale, grassroots events will be a mammoth task, so kudos to the ladies for doing so during this post-pandemic recovery period. But the ladies are determined to host a safe and uplifting event that will ease visitors back into socialising after such a long and stressful year.
Commenting on working together with Radiate Festival, Vinna Best, founder of CurlyTreats, said: “We’re very excited to build on our relationship with this partnership to show what a great example of collaboration over competition looks like. We carefully considered the suitability of this new location and decided that choosing an outdoor location would mean we can ensure there is enough space for all to enjoy whilst following government guidelines.”
Wendy Cummins, founder of Radiate Festival added: “We knew how vital it would be to create great social spaces for our community to ensure inclusion post-lockdown. Being part of the survival, recovery and revival of the event industry was always a key factor in our decision making, so we never gave up hope of bringing the festival back after the lockdown easing.”
Credit: Radiate Festival
To access both CurlyTreats and Radiate festivals buy your tickets here.
