Oxjam Official Logo. Pic: Oxjam Press Office

This Saturday, head down to Stoke Newington and get in on the first ever Oxjam at Stokey Takeover.Organized by Oxfam, a global movement of people working together to overcome poverty, Oxjam festival takes place throughout October with hundreds of events around the UK. The events are organized by community volunteers involved in their local music scene in order to raise money and live up to the slogan ‘local music, global impact’.

This year, Oxjam comes to Hackney for the first time, with 5 venues and 40 local artists lined up. Tickets are £5 in advance, or £7 on the day and allow access to the 5 featured venues where artists will perform: Bar 23, Jack and the Box, Moustache Bar, Open the Gate, and the Nest. The performances will include a solo set from Fyfe Dangerfield, the Guillemots front man and Pauline Pearce, aka The Hackney Heroine, who are known for speaking out against the riots that took place in Hackney earlier this year.

Dangerfield, who is also a Hackney resident, said: “I’m really happy to be one of the many musicians taking part in Oxjam Stoke Newington. It’s a great idea to have an event that celebrates what a stimulating and creatively buzzing area this is to live in, and all the funds go towards a charity who continue to inspire and do wonderful and vital work year after year.”

Other performances include Gentle Mystics, Royal Treatment Plant, The Drop (reggae), Beans on Toast (folk) and Shox & MA1 (electro).

Oxjam has been taking place for the last 5 years and has raised over £1.5 million for Oxfam. This year, Hackney joins in on the cause for the first time ever.

Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington said: “Our borough has some of the most passionate, creative young people in the country. It’s brilliant to see them work together to do something amazing in the community – it’s what Hackney’s really about, not rioting or looting. Oxjam’s a testament to what people can do when they work together – music made right here will help make a difference around the world.”

Lots of hype is happening around Stokey Takeover on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, where people involved have been tweeting about the event to be held this weekend.

Attendee Clare McGoran tweeted: “Just got my ticket for @OxjamStokey. An afternoon @The_Nest might be a bit weird… but good weird! BRING IT!”

Volunteer Lee-Anne Inglis also wrote: “So very excited, volunteering with @OxjamStokey this weekend and if I try my very bestest may have 2 more fantastic festival opps lined-up.”

For more information, visit www.oxjamstokey.com and check out the official Facebook and Twitter pages.