London’s Punk Rock Flea Market (PRFM) is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The event, which runs from this Thursday to Saturday, is expected to take over Dundas Place and Downtown London with live music, vendors, and skateboarders. But for the organizers, it’s more than just punk rock.
“We’re really talking about the local arts and culture, but the name Punk Rock Flea Market, that’s our roots, that kind of DIY ethos, but we kind of wrapped our arms around any of the local artists and community members and musicians.” Said Julie and Shayna, two of the co-organizers of PRFM. “We started in 2016, when we saw a gap in events of this sort, to gather alternative makers and small businesses, that didn’t really have a place to sell their wares at traditional pop-up markets.”
London is itself recognized as a UNESCO City of Music. The organizers say they’re proud to be apart of London’s rich history of music. “[We] think that the designation really helps to uplift artists in terms of export opportunities, and it also helps put us on the map as a city of importance, musically in Canada.”
“London has a pretty vibrant punk culture, it has a history of punk culture”, said Adi Berardini, editor-in-chief of Femme Art Review, a publication providing space for LGBTQ+ and women’s voices to reflect on art. She went on to emphasize the importance of events like PRFM. “In a more conservative city like London, I think it’s important to have these events, because we have to continue to work against the grain as well, and create space for those who are alternative and part of the punk scene.”
Punk Rock Flea Market begins Thursday night and runs until Saturday. You can find more info on their Instagram.
