Hypermedia DIY Open Space 8

Hypermedia DIY Open Space 8

A full house flowed throughout the four-hour event, as poets, musicians, and sound artists from across the southeast descended on the Fourth Portal stage to share their work.

Performers (some names missing):

• Anthony Hart

• Chris Porcas

• Elsie Rayner

• Joe Cleary

• Johnny G

• Lee Campbell

• Nick

• Nola Rayner

• Poet Redeeming Features

• Ryan

• Smellilot

• Sophie Sirota

• Tony Thorley

• Zack Davies

No Age Limit

A standout moment came from 7-year-old Elsie Rayner, performing her first-ever poem in front of a packed audience. Watching a child stand before an audience of appreciative adults perfectly captured the supportive nature of Hypermedia events.

Before Elsie, her 10-year-old sister, Nola Rayner, delivered an unforgettable rendition of Pam Ayres’ classic Oh! I Wish I'd Looked After Me Teeth. Proving that spoken word has no age limits, Tony Thorley, 84, followed soon after, showing that creativity has no barriers

10-year-old, Nola Rayner

7-year-old, Elsie Rayner

A Night of Standout Performances

The night saw performances from Poet Redeeming Features, whose raw and punchy punk poetry pushed audience boundaries with its mix of humour, intensity, and social commentary. Johnny G is becoming a Gravesend legend, his piano and cover numbers consistently hitting the right note and bringing a special energy. The growing confidence of Gravesend's Anthony Hart and Chris Porcas is inspiring others to take to the stage and share their words for the first time. In the busy throng of the evening, a steel guitar performance stunned the audience before they clapped along to Ryan's clever spoken song.

Building Partnerships and Confidence

Hypermedia and Fourth Portal are about more than an enjoyable evening - they are about connecting with other innovative events, groups, and movements while offering opportunities beyond performance.

Sound Engineer | Dan Simpson

Under the remote guidance of renowned visual and audio engineer Oli May, Dan Simpson stepped in to engineer the sound and visuals for Open Space 8. With a rapid stage turnover of nearly 20 performances across different genres, Dan was thrown into the deep end - and delivered flawlessly. Handling the most diverse Hypermedia event to date, he managed the technical side with the calmness and expertise of a seasoned professional, despite being at the start of his career.

Dan Simpson at work

Building a Movement

Hypermedia continues to evolve and expand, bringing together artists and audiences in an experimental, supportive environment. By combining elements of gathering spaces, open mic nights, and artistic happenings, Hypermedia has become a key part of the growing arts movement in Gravesend, Kent, London and the southeast of England.

Many of the performers at Hypermedia Open Space are also organisers, running fast-growing events that are shaping an alternative performance scene across the southeast.

Holy Moly Poetry & Zack Davies

A key voice in Gravesend’s spoken word scene, Zack Davies runs Holy Moly Poetry, a spoken word night hosted at The Mole Hole Micro Pub in Gravesend. Holy Moly fosters a community of writers, bringing together poets and storytellers across the region. Zack has also curated poetry events, including POW! Play on Words #10, further cementing his role in the local and regional literary scene.

https://www.instagram.com/holymolypoetry/

Lee Campbell & POW! Play on Words

Lee Campbell, co-curator of POW! Play on Words, brought his signature performance poetry, incorporating picture books and props to challenge traditional forms of storytelling. POW! is a playful, experimental space where spoken word meets performance, blurring the lines between poetry, theatre, and visual art. https://www.instagram.com/powplayonwords/

Sophie Sirota, Zack Davies and Lee Campbell

Sophie Sirota & Coastal Electronauts

Sophie Sirota is an electronic musician and viola player, blending classical music with real-time audio processing to create abstract, ambient soundscapes. She is part of the Coastal Electronauts, a collective that hosts Electronic Music Open Mic (EMOM) events on the second Thursday of each month in Whitstable. @sophiesirotaviola

The Coastal Electronauts provide a platform for electronic musicians, fostering a growing community of artists and enthusiasts. Their events are live-streamed, offering broader accessibility.

🔗 Coastal Electronauts Facebook Group

🔗 Coastal Electronauts YouTube Channel

Political View

The growing reputation of Hypermedia Open Space and Fourth Portal as a hub for creative expression and cultural engagement was highlighted by a visit from Lauren Sullivan, the soon-to-be Labour MP for Gravesham, and Shane Mochrie-Cox, Deputy Leader of Gravesham Borough Council. Their presence underscored the growing recognition of the importance of grassroots arts movements in shaping vibrant, connected communities. Engaging with performers and audiences, they experienced firsthand how Hypermedia is fostering a thriving creative scene that is gaining recognition beyond the arts community.

Upcoming Hypermedia Event

📅 Hypermedia Open Space 9 – Wednesday, 14 August 2024

📍 Fourth Portal Lab, Gravesend

See Previous Events

🔗 All Hypermedia Open Space events

📸 Check out past performances, discussions, and the energy of previous events.

Hypermedia Open Space events are free to attend, but donations are encouraged to help sustain the space.

📲 Find out more about Hypermedia:

🔗 Instagram: @hypermediaevents