Pic: Susana Fernandez / Flickr
St. Patrick’s Day falls on Sunday but Irish is not the only international theme on our agenda this week. We’ve got Brazilian dance in Hackney, American crime thrillers in Croydon and global designer brands on sale in Tower Hamlets. Take your pick!
Alternative Paddy's Day - New Cross Inn
Sunday, March 17, 12pm-12am
323 New Cross Rd, London, SE14 6AS
The New Cross Inn are hosting an alternative St. Patrick's Day celebration to help raise funds to stage their annual Party In the Park festival this summer. There will be a total of nine bands playing with Irish female DJ duo The Old Kent Roadies entertaining in-between acts.
Admission: £3
Friday, March 15, 8pm
306 New Cross Rd, London, Greater London SE14 6AF
The homely setting of Cafe Crema will present an intimate, two-piece folk band, Blyth Power Duo, with Joseph Porter on guitar and vocals, and Annie Hatcher on keyboards. The supporting act is Reverend Casy, whose act is described as "Clash-meets-gospel rock'n'roll".
Admission: £5
Traditional Irish day at Lewisham Irish Community Centre
Sunday, March 17, 1pm-4pm and 8pm-11pm
2a Davenport Road, London, SE6 2AZ
The day starts with a traditional lunch of stew and soda bread. For those who want to continue festivities into the evening, parents and children are invited for a St Patrick's night ceili (an Irish dance party). With live music from New Counties Band, there will be no excuse not to get those dancing shoes on.
Admission: £8/£5/£3 concessions
Folk & Blues Club at Ruskin House
Sunday, March 17, 7:30pm-11:30pm
3 Coombe Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1BD
Croydon's Folk & Blues Club is putting on a night of Irish folk music. They will be serving a good range of real ales and celebratory Guinness, and a free buffet for you to nibble on between musical acts. People with any sort of musical ability are encouraged to get up and "have a go" on stage throughout the evening.
Admission: £3
Car boot sale at Fairfield Halls car park
Sunday, March 17, 7:30am-5pm
Park Ln, Croydon, Surrey CR9 1DG
Croydon's very own "all weather" car boot sale promises a vast array of fabulous trinkets. Expect a day of bartering for the wondrous local bric-a-brac. The event is held on a huge site with disabled access for just #10 per pitch. Sellers are expected from 6.30am. Check it out early to ensure a rummage through the best clobber.
Admission: free
Crime thrillers movie night at Matthew's Yard
Sunday, March 17, 5-10pm
1 Matthews Yard, off Surrey St, Croydon CRO 1FF
Prepare to spend the night on the edge of your seat with Matthew's Yard's weekly selection of crime thrillers. Grab a bag of popcorn or a slice of cake and wash it down with a drink from the selection of fine wine and beer at the bar. Happy hour is 5-7pm and promises a large range of drinks from as little as #2.40 too tempting to miss. Films will include The Departed, A Prophet, The Third Man, Badlands and Chinatown.
Admission: free
St Patrick's Day at traditional Irish pub The Auld Shillelagh
Sunday, March 17, 11am onwards
5 Stoke Newington Church St, London, Greater London N16 0UD
The Auld Shillelagh is a typical Irish boozer, and not in a "themed" way. Its simple, honest and uncomplicated layout offers a quaint setting that is often filled to the rafters with friendly folk. Receiving a thumbs up from Time Out magazine for serving some of the best Guinness in the capital, it might be worth pitching up early to get a pew next to the bar and a good view of the special St Paddy's live music acts.
Admission: £3
Thursday, March 14, 7:30-10:30pm
66-68 Rivington St, Shoreditch, London, Greater London EC2A 3AY
The Comedy Cafe Theatre, an intimate loft space in the heart of Shoreditch will present 'Comedy Rumble', an array of enthralling comedic performances, ranging from sketches to stand up. For only #8, expect comedy of the highest order, banter and plenty of audience interaction. Only one person can be crowned the Comedy Rumble champion at this five star comedy chat show.
Admission: £8
Sunday, March 17, 11:30am-1:15pm
Stoke Newington, Church Street, N16 0J
Stoke Newington Hall, a beautifully restored Art Deco building, is to be the setting of a fantastic Hackney Prom. Brazilian band Steve Lodder and Friends will perform to an excitable crowd of all ages. Expect a relaxed and informal atmosphere and dance the night away to latino sounds. A selection of pastries will be on sale.
Admission: £12/£8 concession
Traditional Irish Menu at The Water Poet
Sunday, March 17, from midday till late. Live sets at 4:30pm and 7pm
9-11 Folgate Street, Spitalfields, London E1 6BX
A fantastic couple of days of live music, authentic dishes and plenty of drinking are to be had at this wonderful gem of a Spitalfields pub over Saint Patrick's weekend. Traditional Irish soda bread, bacon and cabbage soup, and various Irish desserts will be served, as well as a full Irish breakfast on Saturday. There will be music from Auburn Fox and their splendid ensemble of uilleann pipes, tin whistles and guitars. The beer garden will turn into a Guinness island, serving traditional soft drinks, Cidona and red lemonade as well as the strong stuff.
Admission: free
Friday, March 15, 12:30-8:30pm
15 Hanbury St, London E1 6QR
Prepare for fashion brands galore at a tempting price. The London Designer Sale will present sample market this weekend from high-end brands such as Chloe, Jimmy Choo, Dolce and Gabbana, as well as a vast selection of alternative boutique designers.
Admission: £1
