A Night Spent Under the Stars: Boxpark's Disco and Soul Fest
Dancing beneath a shimmering dome of stars Boxpark Croydon took us on a journey through the age of funk into a world of soulful smooth synths…
Festival-goers at Boxpark Croydon. Image property of Grant Walker.
Suns out, the work day is over, the sweet scent of summer is in the air, there's only one place to be...Boxpark. Since opening in Shoreditch in 2011 Boxpark, has become a hotspot not just for its mouthwatering, top-tier street food and trendy retail stores, the pop-up style shopping centre has become a lively hub for London’s social scene.
Before long the thriving centre expanded to other parts of London and cities in the UK. Whether it's to watch a game of footy, have a drink with your mates, enjoy community-led arts and crafts or sing your heart out to your favourite upbeat rhythms, Boxpark has something for everyone.
Boxpark Croydon held a two-day mini-festival to celebrate Croydon's culture and prepare for Notting Hill Carnival. The Culture Crypt indulged in the first day of celebrations—the Disco and Soul Fest. Boxpark Croydon teamed up with Coors to take us to where the party never stops. The dancefloor.
Exploring the power of music the festivities included unique disco dance sessions with Movement is Medicine—unveiling music's gift to soothe and restore a wounded heart. In addition to this festival-goers were treated to an exclusive look at vintage record selections hosted by none other than Reggae DJ Rebel Clash.
Drinks in hand, swaying to familiar sounds of a pastime the night coaxed us in. With multi-MOBO nominated, Mi Soul's DJ Ronnie Herel and award-winning broadcaster and founder of Notting Hill Carnival's illustrious Rampage Sound DJ Treble T the stage was set.
Reviving us with the magic of old-school classics of the noughties Treble T shared the love with "The Queen of Funk" Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" opening the hearts of everyone in attendance. The golden night continued, DJ Ronnie Herel enticing the crowd with live performances of legendary hits from many of the greats Luther Vandross, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston and more.
From Diana Ross's self-affirming "I'm Coming Out" to Earth Wind and Fire's Grammy award-winning "Boogie Wonderland" and Whitney Houston's world-famous pop anthem "I Wanna Dance" everyone was on their feet. The air filled with smiling, warm souls wrapped in a moment of timeless bliss. Hands were up and the moves were all out for everyone to see.
If the classics weren't already enough Cameo's "Candy" kept the crowd in check. Coordinated or uncoordinated—people came together to perform the electric slide living up to the expectation that comes with Cameo's hit song.
The night reached its climax as lead singer Kathy Sledge of the iconic R&B-soul group Sister Sledge graced the stage. Dressed from head-toe in shimmering sparkles Sledge and her dancers dazzled the audience. Elegantly moving free and fluid they enchanted the masses, embracing the music with every beat. Turning, twisting, reaching for the sky they synchronised becoming one with the music itself.
The Grammy nominee showed us all what disco and soul are about, not just feeling the music but also having fun with it. Sledge stole the night with the shout-out worthy "We Are Family" a song declaring the closeness between the Sledge sisters and encouraging listeners to come together and sing. Her joyous celebration of family and togetherness perfectly embodies the spirit of disco. We were left elevated with plenty of grooves left to spare.
Boxpark Croydon's night under the stars reminded us of the infectious joy that disco and soul can bring. Young or old, baby boomer or Gen Z the age of popping grooves and funky moves never fails to bring people together.
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