91Èȱ¬

Open Rehearsal was the special weekend, initiated by the GLA, when Londoners wereÌý invited to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the capital's creative spaces.Ìý This year, the event marked the start of a four-year program of events running up to London 2012, known as the Cultural Olympiad.Ìý

In supporting the project, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said; 'London can't be beaten for the range, originality and bravura that characterises its arts and cultural scene. We have some of the greatest arts organisations in the world and Open Rehearsal is a brilliant opportunity to find out what makes them tick and to learn something new.'

But is Boris missing something here by concentrating on the largest arts establishments in our city?Ìý That was certainly the view of many of those from the grassroots end of cultural London who attended our debate at Rich Mix in Shoreditch.

Since the show was hosted by Dotun Adebayo and broadcast originally in the Sunday night slot which focuses on the views and concerns of black Londoners, that was the focus for our debate.Ìý The question under consideration was: Ìý'Do black Londoners have more to gain from the sporting or cultural aspects of London 2012?'.

We were fortunate enough to be joined in the audience by guests like Donna Fraser, an athlete who has run for Britain in 4 Olympic games, and Michael Williams, a director of Notting Hill Carnival Limited.Ìý Dotun was joined on stage by Lee Jasper, who was the race adviser to Ken Livingstone at the time the Olympic bid was won, and Rodney Hinds, the sports editor on The Voice newspaper.

While all spoke enthusiastically about the opportunities 2012 can open up, it wasn't long before other members of the audience were expressing their concerns that too many unrealistic hopes and dreams are being invested in the London Olympics.Ìý In particular the view that the games may be a useful tool to help combat current problems with youth violence was viewed with scepticism.

Rich Mix Cultural Centre

Moving on to examine what longer-term legacies could be left by the games for London's youngsters, many in the audience felt all the benefits would be on the sporting side.Ìý Without some concrete investment in the cultural side, there was a sense that the only thing left after the games would be a void.Ìý

That tone developed into a sense of resentment, that London's rich black culture had been used to win the bid, but is not being courted or nurtured in the run up to the games.Ìý No where is that more evident than with the Notting Hill Carnival which featured prominently in the bid, but has rarely been mentioned in the 2012 context since then.Ìý

To hear the debate again, you can click on the 'listen again' button on 91Èȱ¬ London's home page and select 'Dotun Adebayo on Sunday'

Gary Crowley and Deborah Williams

91Èȱ¬ London had decided to work with Rich Mix in Shoreditch, for Open Rehearsal.Ìý It's a cultural centre with cinemas, a cafe, bar and performance spaces, which is also home to 91Èȱ¬ London's East London office.Ìý

Among our other offerings at Rich Mix were free screenings of the movie Dirty Pretty Things and a number of short films about London life.Ìý There was also a chance to put questions about documentary making to Dippy Choudhary, 91Èȱ¬ London's Features Editor.Ìý On the Saturday night we had music request shows broadcast live from the Bar, with Gary Crowley and DJ Ritu.ÌýÌýÌý

Jim Lehat and a listener select discs

We very much hope everyone who came along enjoyed Open Rehearsal at Rich Mix and we were pleased to participate in the Cultural Olympiad, to help showcase the rich and diverse cultural heritage of this city.

Rich Mix is at 35-47 Bethnal Green Road in Shoreditch, E1 6LA.Ìý The nearest tube is Liverpool Street, and busses 388 and 8 stop virtually outside the door.Ìý