This Monday, a pop-up record and book store aiming to ‘explore the positive connection between mental health and the arts’ will open in Stoke Newington for a one week stay.
The contents of the shop, Look Up, have been solely picked by Gilles Peterson – the BBC 6Music DJ, producer and record-collector – with all proceeds from the week donated to Safaplace, an emerging mental health charity founded by Stoke Newington School in 2017.
Based at Edwards Lane Gallery, Look Up will have a number of hand-picked books, hard-to-find records and pieces of art available to buy; each given the seal approval by Gilles himself.
“There’s never been a more important time for the creative community to support social issues and the existing institutions that are under pressure,” he says.
“Safaplace is a charity that deals with issues that I feel strongly about and I’m keen for the Look Up store to help raise awareness for this important cause.” The pop-up is in residency for just one week between September 24 and 30, but boy are they making the most of their time here.
Across the week, Gilles will host interview sessions with artists including drum and bass icon Goldie and fellow DJ Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy. What’s more, crowds are to be treated to intimate live performances from 8pm at nearby The Old Church, where a string of artists including Yazmin Lacey, Jordan Rakei and Aaron Unknown will take centre stage.
Items in stock at Look Up will include Strange Labrinth by author Will Ashon, Jordan Rakei’s album Wallflower and artwork from the Connor Brothers, with every sale – whether you spend a handful of pennies or plenty of pounds – helping to support a local charity first set up in response to the tragic loss of two Stoke Newington School students.
Look Up will then up sticks to Tottenham’s Five Miles come Thursday October 4, where DJs Daphni and HAAi will bring the curtain down on a job well done at the closing party.
Look Up Pop-Up Shop, Edwards Lane Gallery, N16 0JJ, opens from 10am between September 24 and 30. lookuppopup.co.uk
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