Sweet Magic London returns

London Community News

By Sean Meyer/London Community News/Twitter: Newswriter22 Pete Lebel is hoping to help make the Forest City a more interesting place this month. Lebel is organizer of Sweet Magic London, a music/art/film micro-festival that launches on Thursday (Aug. 2) at APK Live. More like an art project than a festival, Lebel said Sweet Magic London’s aim is to make the city more interesting by collaborating and experimenting with its artists, organizers, and spaces. “The main mission of this festival, these events, is to make London a little more interesting. Working outside the box, drawing outside the lines, of the more conventional way of organizing events and festivals,” Lebel said. “The first one that we organized back in March, it was spread out over two weekends; it was five shows, more music-focused. This one will be more art and film focused.” Running Aug. 2-31, Sweet Magic London will explore the city’s creative past and present through a series of micro-events, including bands, art installations, film screenings, pop-up galleries, exhibits, and retrospectives. Micro-events include things like pop-up galleries and art shows, little micro-exhibits through the month, shows in unconventional places like homes and storefronts. Lebel said the first Sweet Magic London was “a big success,” with events including bands from all over the world. The venue for the bands was slightly smaller than APK Live with all the music happening in Lebel’s apartment. In addition, the main art show during the festival took place in his bedroom. “The reason I call it a micro-festival is because it seems big in scope, but is actually kind of small. It is just as much work, but it leaves room for that more organic unfolding,” Lebel said. “It is a more sustainable way of organizing. Typically you have to book things months in advance; there is a lot of red tape and bureaucracy tied up in things. So I am experimenting with the term micro-event, with the format of this type of festival, which requires way less advanced timing.” The launch at APK Live will include the music of Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Delicate Steve. Other bands playing this Thursday, touring in support of 7” split records recently released, include London’s Say Domino and Whoop-Szo (Out of Sound Records), as well as Toronto bands Cartoons and Hellaluya (Daps Records). Along with the music, interactive art installations will be on-site to engage with audience members. The launch event will take place at APK Live and admission is by a pay-what-you-can donation. With such an unusual event, Lebel said he understands success is a relative thing. However, the goal remains the same as it was in March — keeping things interesting. “Whatever happens is going to be a success. As long as some people come out, check out something different,” Lebel said. “On Aug. 6 we are going to have micro-exhibit of apothecary items at an empty storefront in Old East. That will be followed by a performance from a band from New York City. That is what we want to do, give people something new to experience.” For more information on what is happening throughout the month, including schedules and venues, visit www.sweetmagiclondon.com. Find us on Facebook: London Community News