As the autumn leaves fell from the trees and settled on the ground, orange, red, yellow, brown and gold, in Finsbury Park on Saturday 9th November, Future Machine appeared. We had tea and cake, and celebrated with music, dancing and spoken word into the evening.
The afternoon began with stories. Tables, plates, walls and spoons were decorated with drawings and words – quotes about the future, the environment, our hopes and dreams. The Cabinet of Curious Places and the banner were on display, telling the story of Future Machine’s journey to the five places across England, since 2020, that first pandemic year of the When the Future Comes project.
Rachel read a letter from 2050. Esi spoke of the future and Finsbury Park. People were then invited to add their own words and drawings to the tablecloths, eat cake and drink from the selection of herbal teas Esi had chosen for the day. People were invited to meet Future Machine and speak to the future.
Esi took people out into the main park to take part in a small ritual around a tree. Weaving around it and leaving wishes hanging in the tree.
Then the weather music began with Future Machine and The Rainmakers, playing the autumn weather, remembering the summer weather and the floods.
Then Joelle began the celebration of the earth, the autumn and the future with spoken word. Then the Finsbury Park Drumming School played, and people from the audience joined in a jam. The music, dancing, speaking to the future and meeting new and old friends continued into this mild, November night in Finsbury Park.
