Madness
– The Liberty Of Norton Folgate MUSIC
24-26 June
– 8pm
Presented by AEG Live
The original chart topping band launch their new album
– The Liberty of Norton Folgate here at the Hackney
Empire alongside classic hits. You'd be mad to miss this sensational show.
£25
The 291 Show COMEDY
27 June 11, 18 July
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited in association with Delroy Murray and Roland Muldoon in association with Grapevine UK
Dibbi and Delroy host London liveliest variety show in town featuring the Next 2 Shine Talent Quest, explosive dance, cutting edge comedy and audiences game show.
£14.50
Ska comes to the Hackney Empire
28 June – 8pm
Presented by Club Ska
MUSIC
Featuring Dave Barker (singer of Dave and Ansel Collins' no1 hit "Double Barrel" and top 10 hit "Monkey
Spanner") with Live band Freetown. Freetown will be playing all Dave's soultastic reggae and ska hits plus a tribute to the music of Laurel Aitken.Support includes the amazing Duallers, chart-toppers whose vocal harmonies and hot ska tunes never fail to thrill audiences with further support by Popes of Chillitown.
£15, Conc £13
Insanity
29 June – 7pm
Presented by Club Integral in conjunction with Poo Productions
CLUBBING
A crazy extravaganza of musical contrasts featuring Mozambique's number one band Massukos, the Mancunian candidate himself Graham Massey, Tokyo diva Atsuko Kamura, award-winning Zheng virtuoso Su Zhuo, the magisterial Mayming, the lauded Lotus Pedals and the The Boycott Coca-Cola Experience.
£12.50 Doors, £10 Advance
Confucius Says
3,4 July – 7.30pm
OPERA
Presented by Hackney Music Development Trust
The legends of China are the ingredients in a battle of wits to create the perfect recipe for the human soul in this sweet and sour operatic adventure.
£8, £5
The Empire Strikes Black 5
5 July – 8pm
COMEDY
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited in association with Humphrey Barclay and Geestor Productions
The Empire Strikes Black 5 brings you an all star line up from stage, television, film and music, including
Robbie Gee, Eddie Nestor, Kat B, Kojo, Tameka Empson and many more.
£21.50, Concs £16.50

Mr Titan Bodybuilding Spectacular SPORT
6 July
– 6.30pm
(Afternoon judging 12pm)
Presented by Lamps Theatre Company
Now in its thirteenth year at the Hackney Empire, Mr Titan is the last truly independent bodybuilding show held in London, and the only one where the focus is on fun, spectacle and theatrical effects.
Judging, all seats £10, Eve show £15, £12. Under 12s:Half price (Eve only)
I Love Dance
7 July – 7.30pm
DANCE
Presented by East London Dance & Hackney Empire Limited in assoc with the artists supported by LBH.
Discover what moves Hackney! See the best choreographers and performers Hackney has to offer in this explosive night of dance as part of Big Dance 08 featuring H ackney’s Avant Garde and C-12 Dance Theatre alongside a host of others.
£12, Concs £10
UK Bollywood Dance Championships 2008
8 July
– 7pm
DANCE
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited in association with Diva Entertainments & Honey Kalaria dance
Academy
Bollywood dancers from across the UK compete for the overall prestigious championship title. All dance styles represented in Bollywood will be welcome in the competition, including Belly dance and Bhangra to
Indian Classical and Hip Hop.
£10, Concs £7
The Tell-Tale Heart & Dog
9, 10 July
– 7.30pm
THEATRE
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited in association with Steven Berkoff
Steven Berkoff returns to the Hackney Empire for two nights only for a special run of two of his one man shows.
TELL TALE HEART by Edgar Allan Poe, Adapted by Steven Berkoff
A gothic tale of horror, told by a man who stands alone in the spotlight, protesting sanity while he explains how he systematically went about killing and dismembering a neighbour whose "vulture eye" offended him, and how his perfect crime went astray.
DOG by Steven Berkoff
A hilarious day in the life of a football hooligan and his pit bull terrier, Roy. One minute Berkoff is the skinhead and the next he is Roy as he reacts to his master's cruel bu t sometimes loving antics…
It's a blistering indictment of the worst of British society, particularly its violent football fans.
2 GREAT SHOWS FOR 1 GREAT PRICE: £14.50, Concs £12.50
Take It to The Bridge
12 July
– 6pm
THEATRE
Hackney Empire ’s Participation and Learning Department is working in partnership with the Bridge Academy.
Hackney Empire Artists and Bridge Academy teachers and year 7 pupils will create an original piece of theatre about the East
End.
£5, Concs £3
The Best of New Act of the Year 2007/2008
12 July – 9pm
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited
COMEDY

The critically acclaimed Paul Chowdhry presents the top acts from 2007 and 2008: Steve Weiner, Pippa
Evans as Loretta Maine, Andi Osho, Imran Yusuf, Jack Whitehall; Luke Toulson, Liz Carr, Gareth Richards,
Holly Walsh,Maureen Younger.
£12.50, Concs £10.50
One Night of Queen
13 Jul
– 7.30pm
Presented by Handshake Productions Limited
MUSIC
A spectacular live two hour concert recreating and celebrating the music of Queen, performed by Gary
Mullen and The Works. Gary and the band have played worldwide to thousands upon thousands of delirious fans in many countries including New Zealand and Germany. This show will rock you - guaranteed!
£19.50, £17.50 Concs £17.50, £15.50
Strictly Variety
14 July – Lauriston School Variety Fundraiser, 7.30pm
Presented by Lauriston School
COMMUNITY
A traditional East End Variety Night performed by the children, parents and ex-pupils of Lauriston Primary
School. "One of the most inspiring demonstrations of children's talents. It was an evening of pure joy for the audience and all the performers." Paul Jamieson (School Governor)
£15, Concs £5
Voices in Harmony
16 July
– 7.30pm
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited
MUSIC
A charity event for the Robert Levy Foundation and the Hackney Empire celebrating the human voice and all things verbal. Introducing renowned poets Daniel Beatty from New York, Crisis, Richard Tyrone Jones and other poets, The Magnets and acapella groups.
£12.50, Concs £10.50
There Ain’t No Black in the Union Jack
17 July 2008
– 7.30pm
COMMUNITY
Pan Intercultural Arts & Asian Dub Foundation Education presenting as part of PAN’s Arts Against Race
Violence initiative. The final show, this time in the Main House.
£7, Concs £5
Chuck Berry
19 & 20 July - 8pm
Presented by Cheyenne Productions and Hackney Empire Limited
MUSIC
The Legendary Chuck Berry in his only London Shows at the Hackney Empire Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th of July 2008. The Hackney Empire is proud to present a true legend to headline this summer's Spice
Festival. Chuck Berry is one of the earliest rock and roll greats, an inspiration to all that followed. In his 81st year he's certainly lost none of the talent and energy that has electrified audiences worldwide for over half a century. Supported by Ben Waters and Chris Jagger.
£45, £35
Hackney Empire Music Hall
21 July
– 4pm
COMEDY
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited
Let the Hackney Empire’s very own Music Hall company take you on a stroll down memory lane, through song, dance and laughter as the Hackney Empire returns to its entertainment roots.
£12.50, Concs £10.50
Emergence – See!
22 July – 3pm & 7.30pm
SPOKENWRD
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited
Daniel Beaty’s Obie award winning one man show. This solo show ran Off-Broadway to a sold-out extended run. The Scotsman awarded him a Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival last year and New York Magazine awarded him a Culture Award for the Best Theatrical Production. A slave ship rises out of the Hudson River in front of the Statue of

Liberty sending the nation into a whirlwind of emotion and exploration in this explosive solo tour de force featuring slam poetry, multi-character transformation, and song. Beaty portrays a cast of 40 characters including a homeless man, a scientist, a republican business executive, a street vendor and an 11-year old boy who all respond to the phenomenon.
Featuring Spice Slam Final Showdown.
£14.50, Concs £12.50, Under 18s £7.50
Raw Feat – Outspoken Dance
23 July – 7pm
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited in association with Raw Feat
DANCE
Don't miss this packed night of Lyrical and physical fusion Showcasing some of London's most dynamic talent in contemporary dance, hip-hop theatre with spoken word. Guest appearances by ShortMAN, Zena
Edwards, Kenrick h20 Sandy and many more! With host Jonzi-D of Breakin convention.
Door £12.50, Advance £10, Concs £8
The Kat and Tameka Show
24 July
– 7:30pm
COMEDY
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited in association with the artists
An exciting new sketch show by Kat (choice FM, MTV Base) and Tameka Empson (3 Non Blondes, The Big Life). With special guests Sharon D Clark, Eddie Nestor and Kele Le Roc. A night of comedy, dance and music. Come and see if Tameka can keep up with the dance steps, if Kat can hit the high notes? Directed by Susie McKenna.
£14.50
The 291 Show Final COMEDY
25 July
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited in association with Delroy Murray and Roland Muldoon in association with Grapevine UK
Hackney Empire’s homegrown variety show presents the top 6 singing acts from the season. Top prize:
Barbados holiday for two sponsored by www.flycrc.com
, British Airways and www.mullinsheights.com
£17.50, Concs £14.50
Beggar & Co, The Funk Jazz Collective and The Grand Union All Stars
26 July – 8pm
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited in association with Grand Union and Funk Management UK
Never before has so much UK Jazz and funk talent been amassed on our stage. Grand Union All Stars kick off this double bill, with a global line up playing exuberant African and Latin Jazz, followed by the blisteringly big band groove of Britfunk heroes Beggar and Co and the Funk Jazz Collective.
£25, £20
La Di Dada
5 July – 2pm, 5pm 6th July – 11am, 2pm
Presented by Quicksilver Theatre and Indefinite Articles
THEATRE
Tiptoe along the trail of light with La Di DaDa! Stories of power, superheroes, wands and witches mingle with the children's own stories, played out in magical 360 degree shadow play for 3-5 year olds.
£8, Under 16’s £6
There Ain’t No Black in the Union Jack THEATRE
12 July – 8pm
Pan Intercultural Ar ts & Asian Dub Foundation Education presents as part of PAN’s Arts Against Race
Violence initiative.
Named after the book by Paul Gilroy, There Ain’t No Black in the Union Jack, is a season of new theatre, performance, music, film, visual art, debate and workshops exploring themes relating to flags, anthems, identity, home, place, displacement, community, cultural diversity, race, family, and what it means to be
British today. Nine groups of young people from nine London boroughs will devise and present theatrical and music performances.
£5, Concs £3

Edinburgh Comedy Previews (ECP)
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited and Avalon Comedy
Leading acts from the London comedy circuit perform a double header of their solo shows prior to their runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
COMEDY ECP: Steve Williams & Rob Deering
14 July – 8pm
£10
COMEDY ECP: Alex Horne & Steve Hall
15 July
– 8pm
£10
ECP: Simon Brodkin & Dan Atkinson
16 July – 8pm
£10
COMEDY
Pippa Evans
17 July
– 8pm
£10
COMEDY
The Surgery
18 July – 8pm
THEATRE
Showcasing the freshest new Hip Hop Theatre performance Hosted by Jonzi D. A regular showcase of new
Hip Hop Theatre work, The Surgery is a unique platform for emerging and established artists to present new
Hip Hop theatre work. The unique aspect of the evening is after each piece, the audience has a chance to feedback directly to the artists about what they've just seen. Come and be part of the future of Hip Hop
Theatre! For more information, check out www.jonzi-d.co.uk
£5
Porn Crackers
19 July – 3pm
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited in association with Rootball Productions
SPOKENWD
A new short play by Jan Woolf, telling of a love story between two film censors that raises questions on the
British film classification system. As they grapple with images, judgement, morality and the ubiquitous guidelines their professional and personal relationships are tested.
Claytime
21, 22 July – 11.30am & 2pm
FAMILY
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited in association with Indefinite Articles
A play with clay for ages 3+. The characters, settings and stories in are all dreamt up by the audience in this imaginative, interactive show, and created out of a huge mound of clay. As the audience comes up with ideas, the performers bring themto life – a world of fabulous forms, from amazing animals to morphing monsters. No two performances will ever be the same!
£8, Under 16s £6
ECP: Isy Suttie & Russell Kane
21 July – 8pm
£10
COMEDY
ECP: Mark Olver & Karl Theobald
22 July
– 8pm
£10
Tales From the Washing Line
23 July – 10am & 11.30am
Presented by On The Other Hand Puppet Theatre Company
COMEDY
FAMILY

A sad, lonely dustbin makes friends with a little girl and together they overcome a monstrous litterbug who is ruining the environment. A great fun packed show of stories with plenty of audience participation and ideas perfect for the classroom including live puppet making.
£7, Concs £5
ECP: Richard Herring & Danielle Ward
23 July – 8pm
£10
COMEDY
COMEDY ECP: Quincy & Slippery Fish
24 July
– 8pm
£10
Callas
25 July
– 7.30pm
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited and the artist
OPERA
A sensitive and candid portrayal of the legendary opera singer, which one the Moliere Prize for a new play in
1989 and has been translated into eight languages. Performed by Anna Korwin,
£12.50, Concs £10
Triple Bill in Celebration of Our Elders
26 July – 3pm onwards
COMMUNITY
Rossetta Life
3 – 4pm
Making visible the lives of those who are living with life threatening illnesses at home. A unique and innovative collaboration between leading British photographer, Tom Hunter, Rosetta Life and St Joseph’s
Hospice Service Users.
10 min break
Living Under One Roof
4.15 – 4.45pm
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited in association with Tuareg Productions
Now see a thought-provoking documentary on real life experiences of Caribbean settlers, living and working in Hackney and surrounding areas, during the 40s and 60s. Experience their heart breaking - heart warming journey.
Produced by Lorna Holder
10 min break
Old Spice
5
– 6pm
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited and Sutton House
A variety show with singalongs - jokes - original poems and sketches - scenes from Shakespeare – all telling the story of Sutton House and it's relationship with it's 'Over 55s' / Recycled Teenagers group who meet every Friday. It's a chance for you the audience - to join in - to laugh and cry.
Shakespeare in Shoreditch
26 July – 8pm
THEATRE
Presented by Lights of London
1587. A young lover, William Shakespeare, arrives in Shoreditch, seeking his fortune on Curtain Road.In this dangerous, disreputable part of town, magic and history begin to be made, as the English theatre is born.
Includes extracts from his plays,and entertaining narrative. A must for theatre and literature lovers. www.lightsoflondonproductions.co.uk
Seven Times Me by Kat Francois
26 July – 9.15pm
THEATRE
A moving and humourous journey through childhood, relationships and time, that captures the beautiful and brutal realities of inner city life, in a compelling fusion of theatre,performance poetry and dance. “A powerful and captivating onewoman”

TAG
27 July
– 3pm and 6pm
THEATRE
Tag is a gripping drama about teenage life in Hackney. It is about conflict and the hardship of daily life for people who may share the same past, but differ in their ideas about the future. Tag is hard hitting and brings to life the struggle of “trying to keep it real” when everyone wants to label you.
Spice Slam
1st July
– 8pm
SPOKENWD
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited
Richard Tyrone Jones hosts a weekly poetry slam. The finalists will appear in Emergence
– See!
MUSIC Abdul Tjay
3rd July
– 8pm
Palm Wine folk music –Sierra Leone
Donkey Monkey DJ’s
4th July – 8pm
Dirty Blues, Stompin Soul, R & B and Swingtastic Jazz,
Live Mic and DJ’s
5th July
– 8pm
MUSIC
MUSIC
Spice Slam
8th July
– 8pm
SPOKENWD
I am a Kamura
9th July
– 8pm
MUSIC
Presented by Divine Agency
Catch London-based Tokyo diva Atsuko Kamura on a rare lounge outing. Expect exquisite oriental chanson
- Blue Velvet shot in 50's Tokyo.
James Woolf
10th July – 8pm
MUSIC
From the rhythms of Gardel and Piazzola to the wit of Leonard Cohen and the drama of Nick Cave, James
Wolff sings songs which are equally majestic and tragic with a lyrical turn of phrase second to none.
No Frills Band
11th July – 8pm
MUSIC
Presented by Divine Agency
London’s finest folk troubadours play tunes from all over Europe and the States - featuring banjola, mandolin and Turkish drums.
Boycott Coca Cola Experience
12th July – 8pm
Presented by Divine Agency
MUSIC
London's favourite bohemian bard with his special brand of agit-prop green blues - the Woody Guthrie de nos jours.
MUSIC Paul May and Guests
14th July – 8pm
Presented by Divine Agency
The prolific and genre-busting drummer breaks loose with some improvising friends.
Spice Slam
15th July
– 8pm
Presented by Hackney Empire Limited
SPOKENWD

Kenny Process Team
16th July – 8pm
Presented by Divine Agency
Maestri of micro-surf minimalist masterpieces. Meters meet the Magic Band. Unmissable.
MUSIC
Daniel Nash Duo
17th July
– 8pm
Steel Pan and Keyboards, one of the best Steel Pan players in England.
MUSIC
Ishen Amara
19th July – 8pm
MUSIC
Ishen is a 21-year-old Hackney musician. He sings, plays piano and guitar and is also a poet/rapper. His musical tastes and influences are eclectic and wide, reggae, jazz funk and hip hop to name a few.
Donkey Monkey DJ’s
20th July – 8pm
Dirty Blues, Stompin Soul, R & B and Swingtastic Jazz,
The Nobodies
21st July – 8pm
Presented by Divine Agency
MUSIC
MUSIC
Their songs are Pinteresque psycho-dramas, set to a spare, elegiac score, but often containing a darkly comical core. Fawlty Towers scripted by Sartre. But who the hell are they?
MUSIC Corina Piatti
22nd July – 8pm
Vocals and guitar - Music from Argentina.
Ninki
22nd July
– 8pm
MUSIC
Georgio Moroder trapped in the body of a 1960s air hostess. Armed to the teeth with keytars, casio keyboards, a theremin and toys. She's highjacked the plane and she's taking us down with her. With a winning smile.
Oliver Reed
23rd July
– 8pm
MUSIC
Five-piece band Oliver Reed return to the Marie Lloyd bar, combining jazz-and groove-based tunes with freewheeling improvisation. Featuring the playing and composing talents of Dafydd Williams (alto sax), Chris
Montague (guitar), Esben Tjalve (keyboards), Paul Trippett (Bass) and David Hamblett (drums).
MUSIC Abdul TJay Rokoto
24th July – 8pm
Palm Wine folk music from Sierra Leone.
Pan ultimate B and featuring Daniel Louis and Guests
25th July
– 8pm
Jazz with a Caribbean flavour.
MUSIC
Duke Garwood
27th July – 8pm
MUSIC
Presented by Divine Agency
Some-time Archie Bronson clarinet player steps out with a guitar to deliver some rambling avant-garde blues. Don't on any account miss this fat slice of surrealist devil folk!
Spice Readings
14
– 17 July
SPOKENWD

Come and share with playwrights extracts from their new plays and give feedback to help them to develop the play from page to performance. Check the website for details.
Xhibition Quest – Digital Photographic Competition
Presented by Hackney Empire and the Hackney Arts Club
Entries displayed in the Hospitality Room throughout the Spice Festival
27 June – 27 July – every day
18:30
– 22:30 or by appointment
VISUALART
Spice On The Square
20 July
– Midday – 6pm FREE
FAMILY
A farmers market of talent, culture, art and food! Fun for all the family.
Get-involved Workshops, Music, Comedy, Performers, Dance, City Jumble, Flea
Markets, Independent Movies, All Comers Talent Quest, Fashion, Street Shows,
Arts and Crafts, Food Markets + more