Introducing the Virtual Congress Fringe!

As this year’s Virtual Congress fast approaches, the College have been looking at ways of bringing our members everything you would expect from our normal Congress programme but in an exciting online platform. Our scientific programme is looking more exciting than ever, but we aren’t stopping there…

We would like to invite you to take part in the College’s first Virtual Congress Fringe! We have put together a jam-packed programme of activities to make you laugh, get you moving and get you thinking - all from the comfort of your home. 

You can check out the full Fringe programme here, but we thought we’d give you a sneak peak of some of our highlights…

Day 1:

The opening night of Fringe will not disappoint. We have 5 different events running alongside each other, so it is guaranteed there will be something for everyone. 

Award-winning comedy club, Always Be Comedy, will be hosting a virtual show to get your Fringe experience off to a belly-laughing start. MC James Gill will be joined by comedians Rachel Parris (The Mash Report) and Marcus Brigstocke (Live At The Apollo) to bring you a hilarious evening of sketches, games and a lip sync battle where YOU chose the winner. And it doesn’t stop there. Fancy the chance of sitting in the virtual front row? Email Maisie Hillier for more information. 

After a big day of education programming, why not get your body moving? Monday night’s programme also includes a live Salsa dancing class and a Yoga session. So whether you want to spice up your evening with some energetic flair or unwind and relax with some stretches, we’ve got something for you.

We are also incredibly excited to announce a special screening of the film CURED. This captivating film documents the campaign that led the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental illness in 1973. Meet the film makers and learn more about this largely unknown chapter in the struggle for LGBTQ+ equality.

If that is not enough for you to get your teeth into, Tics, Jazz and Civil Rights offers an exploration of the lives of 3 prominent artists of the 20th century and analyses their impact on music and literature in association with neurodevelopmental issues. 

Why not start your day right with some Fringe activities?

Take some time on Tuesday morning to learn more about Bringing Your Whole Self to Work. This session will highlight personal stories, self-care and allyship in the workplace, all focussing on how we can maintain our wellbeing. 

On Wednesday, get your body moving with some Yoga, led by Heather Mason, before joining a session by The Turtle Song project. This partnership project between Turtle Key Arts, Royal College of Music and English Touring Opera will give an interactive introduction to the way they co-create songs with people living with dementia.

And as the Congress comes to a close on Thursday, join The Conspiracy Clinic podcast, as they explore the most thrilling and most bizarre conspiracy theories to come out of COVID-19 and how they have impacted us during the pandemic. 

Day 3:

The penultimate day of Congress offers us another jam-packed evening of Fringe programming. 

As we all prepare for the return of “normality” in the coming months, why not join wine communicator Fabio Adler as he leads a Wine Tasting session, focusing on Dinner Party Wines to impress your guests over the summer. 

Fancy unwinding with some classical music? The Undercroft Trio perform a music recital especially for the Congress. With a programme including Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No.1 in C Minor and Schumman’s Piano Trio No. in D Minor, this isn’t one to miss! 

Join Professor Femi Oyebode for Poetry Corner- The Poetry of Disquiet. This powerful session will feature the reading of poetry written by people who have a history of psychiatric illness and will feature works by Elizabeth Jennings, Robert Lowell and many more.