Be Différance

Aim

To support a community of creatives who operate outside the conventional. To reinstall the function of arts & culture: ask, amaze, do

DIFFÉRANCE is a community interest company formed in 2025 by Patrizia Paolini, independent artist and long-term Ridiculusmus associate, and Jon Haynes, co-founder of Ridiculusmus. It was born out of a need to create a paradigm shift in how marginalised artists are viewed both within Hackney, North London, and the United Kingdom.                   

We aim to facilitate the creation and release of forward-thinking new performance that we believe should be exposed to a much wider audience.

We provide a wealth of practical experience in supporting marginalised creatives as the importance of their work resides in the fact that 'the margin' is part of the whole: it cannot be ignored. 

Examples of our activity - We've responded to the challenges of Covid, gentrification and the cost-of-living crisis by founding THE ROOM at Hoxton Hall and The Sunday Salon at The Cock Tavern in Mare St. These platforms showcase edgy live performance that is testimony to a hidden yet vital creative force within the borough that is challenging, alternative and exuberant.

Testimonies

THE ROOM: CASH ONLY 

It felt like an experimental event, underground and intimate. It had a randomness of people trying stuff out and it felt like the audience were complicit in this experiment. [Julian]

Exuberance, flair and humour ... The feeling of tolerance and acceptance at THE ROOM, heightened by touches of originality, absurdity and surrealism are a pure delight. Nothing is ever predictable or formulaic. A programme that is totally unique compared with many of the spoken word, music and comedy nights at other London venues. [Melanie]

THE ROOM really provokes reflection on the state of arts and culture in the UK today encouraging artists and audiences to play an active role in supporting and shaping its future. I have seen a real variety of performances that often escape all classification. This is the level of diversity and inspiration I wish was more ubiquitous around London. [Margot]

THE SUNDAY SALON

I see the salon as a somewhat anarchic troupe with a "comity" of everyone, for lack of a better term, that revolves around a mutual understanding and vibe. I love that about it, chaos and all. A space for friends and regulars of the pub to share their writings, performances, scripts, songs and oddities. [Joel]

These local initiatives have grown organically into grassroots community groups. Groups that have sprung from a real need in the community for an alternative cultural scene. 

BE DIFFÉRANCE is a call-out for financial aid to bring 'the margin' to the centre - to bring unparalleled experience from careers running alternative arts events, making community plays and collaborating with groups of all abilities and from diverse backgrounds.

We are asking for money (that dirty but essential word) to bring back life into the arts & the arts into life 

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 19th August 2026 at 8:56am