Urban Flow
Roehampton, Saturday 13 September 2025
Creating for Wandsworth London Borough of Culture 2025
Step into the energy of Urban Flow, a bold, high-energy celebration of movement, culture, and community. On 13 September 2025, Roehampton transforms into a living, breathing stage, where 100 silks, 100 local participants, and world-class dancers come together in a powerful fusion of contemporary dance, martial arts, and live soundscapes.
Co-produced by Kinetika, this large-scale outdoor event is part of Wandsworth’s programme as the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2025. As the performance weaves through the streets, dynamic stops will showcase captivating dance and martial arts displays, leading to an extraordinary finale on Bull Green.
Developed through workshops with community groups, the choreography blends their unique styles, skills, and passions with diverse movement forms, accompanied by live soundtracks amplified by boom bikes. This collaboration between professional artists and community performers of all ages and abilities, promises to be an unforgettable, immersive experience.
The parade unites an eclectic mix of Roehampton-based groups – from the youth-led Pointe Black and Ibstock School, to Roehampton University, Hummingbird Blue, Roots & More and the UK Latin Group.
This ambitious project is brought to life together with India’s Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts and Wandsworth’s Tavaziva Dance, uniting international and local talent in a one-of-a-kind spectacle.
100 Participants, 100 Silks
The Urban Flow procession is set to animate the streets of Roehampton, starting at 2.00pm on Saturday 13 September 2025. The route weaves through Holybourne Avenue, Danebury Avenue, Tangley Grove and Minstead Gardens, pausing outside Roehampton’s heritage landmarks for dynamic dance and martial arts interludes.
At its heart, Urban Flow showcases 100 silk flags – each hand-painted in workshops led by Kinetika artists in both the UK and India. The flags are visual representations of personal and collective journeys, designed to move with and amplify the stories of the people carrying them.
Urban Flow is also underpinned by a newly commissioned six-part score by composer Rob Blake (BMW, Arsenal FC, Red Bull), first composed for our project Beach of Dreams. The music and choreography follow the arc of a shared human journey: introduction, childhood, adolescence, chaos, transformation, and triumph.
“Urban Flow is a powerful expression of creativity, community, and cultural connection. It’s been an incredible journey working with our partners in India and Wandsworth to co-create a vibrant spectacle that reflects Roehampton’s unique spirit. Each of the 100 silks tells a story, shaped by the contributions of people across two continents. I’m proud that Kinetika could play a part in connecting these voices in what will be a joyful and moving celebration.”
– Ali Pretty, Artistic Director
Lead Image: Workshops for Urban Flow, Roehampton. Courtesy of Elizabeth Lynch.