Pinboard: Alma Street Festival 2013 – and books, music and gin

5. Transcend: a new festival in Camden

From July 5-7, a new bash called Transcend is taking place in and around Camden’s St Giles in the Fields Church. Supported by funding from Camden Council, the festival’s programme showcases the breadth of St Giles’ contemporary creative talent, and celebrates the area’s fascinating story.

From the gin cellars of the eighteenth century to the musical heritage of the Swinging Sixties, St Giles has always been “bubbling with wild creative energy”, say the organisers.

Highlights of the event include David Bowie is Walking in St Giles, a Bowie-themed walking tour of the church’s “phenomenal” musical heritage. Renowned British Cartoonist Ralph Steadman will also be hosting a book signing in celebration of his major retrospective exhibition at the Cartoon Museum.

And as for the music itself? Daytona Lights are headlining on Saturday, showcasing songs from their debut album Old Fashioned Love. Other headliners include Annaca, The Dash, Yeah and She Has Red Lips Too and Bonnie Dobson, and more musicians from Denmark Street, aka Tin Pan Alley, at the Phoenix Artist Club.

They tell us too that St Giles in the Fields churchyard will be buzzing with activities – Charles Dickens museum workshops, live music, food stalls and much more fun in the – we hope – sun.

Next: Another church with an arts festival on?