Previous festival in Hackney in 2012. Photo: Sean O’Neill (Flickr)
With the rare bouts of sunshine that we have been getting over London in recent days, the wise thing will be to enjoy it while it lasts. This week features top-notch festivals happening across our four boroughs and a few comedy and arty events for those who prefer a bit more sophistication in how they spend their spare time.
Dalston People’s Festival (FREE)
Saturday July 13 - Saturday July 20, 10.00am - 5.00pm
Dalston and various locations across Hackney
Hackney Unites is organising a Festival for all age groups, full of performances, spoken word events, stalls and much more. A number of Dalston venues will host a whole range of performers, activists and community organisations.
For more information visit: http://bit.ly/175g0mt.
Scared To Dance (£4 members/ £6 non-members)
July 13 - July 14, 10:00pm - 3:00am
Moustache Bar, Stoke Newington Road, Hackney N16 7XB
Club night playing indiepop, post-punk, new wave, sixties, new wave and C86 music until 3am. Guest DJing on the night from Flowers. See their website for cheaplist details.
For more info visit: http://bit.ly/pojxlp.
Cockney Heritage Festival 2013 (FREE)
Thursday July 18 - Saturday July 27
Locations across Tower Hamlets
The Cockney Heritage Festival 2013 is a celebration of Cockney heritage and culture, old and new and is organised by the Tower Hamlets Local History Library and the Cockney Heritage Trust.
The Festival has an exciting programme of events with something to interest everyone; from rare archive film screenings to fascinating talks and outdoor events for all the family.
The festival was developed in response to media reports that traditional Cockney idiom and cultural heritage was dying out.
Visit http://bit.ly/13PiNye for more details.
Lovebox 2013 Festival in Victoria Park (from £39.50)
Friday July 19 - Sunday July 21
Grove Road, Bow, Tower Hamlets E3
Lovebox 2013 comes back to the heart of East London in Tower Hamlets’s Victoria Park on July 19 for a 11th year running.
Three days of flamboyant mayhem in the heart of the capital, celebrating life, love, diversity, sounds, vibes, creativity, and handcrafted fun, set the festival to become the best to date.
Founded in 2002 by DJs Groove Armada, it prides itself as one of the few musical festivals in London to showcase an eclectic range of fresh, innovative musical talent.
See http://bit.ly/11DDFfy for list of artists and booking information.
Lewisham People's Day (FREE)
Saturday July 13, 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Mountsfield Park, Catford SE6
South east London's most popular free festival, Lewisham People's Day, in association with L&Q Housing, is back – ready to entertain, amuse, inform and amaze.
Over 25,000 visitors, hundreds of community stalls and organisations, craft stalls from around the globe, performances from outstanding local talent and great entertainment throughout the day.
Visit their Facebook page for more details.
Weird and Wonderful exhibition: cueB gallery at the Brockley Mess (FREE)
Saturday July 13 - Sunday July 14, 9:00am - 5:00pm (last two days of exhibition)
325 Brockley Road, SE4 2QZ
cueB Gallery is staging a unique exhibition called “Weird and the Wonderful” at its gallery within The Brockley Mess café.
The exhibition brings together 10 national and international artists whose works show subjects of mystery and imagination. The list includes Italian composer Luca Nasciuti, Taiwanese painter Annie Lin and sculptor Simon Shepherd.
For more info visit: http://bit.ly/15xwZPl.
Croydon’s Great Outdoors at Lloyd Park (FREE)
Saturday July 13, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Coombe, CR0 5RA
Family-friendly day featuring a wide range of fun and educational activities. It aims to help people reconnect with nature and was inspired by the National Trust's publication, '50 things to do before you're 11 ¾'.
Displays and activities will include bushcraft skills, beekeeping, leather-working and countryside crafts. Archery demonstrations will also be provided by Croydon District Scouting.
There will be folk music from local band Homebrood, chances to try out the popular sport of disc golf, nature walks, storytelling and face painting.
Richard Herring, Edinburgh Preview: We’re All Going to Die! (£10)
Tuesday July 16, 8:00pm - 9:30pm
1 Matthews Yard, off Surrey Street Market, Croydon CR0 1FF.
After sorting out politics (Hitler’s Moustache), religion (Christ on a Bike), love (What is Love, Anyway?) and penises (Talking Cock), Herring's tenth consecutive stand-up show tackles the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns (apart from Jesus and that canoe bloke). Is death a tragedy or an excuse to have an extended lie-in? Are we snuffed out or forced to endure eternity without bodily pleasures? Death is inevitable, so let's laugh in its face while our hearts still beat and our jaws are still attached.
Don’t miss this chance to see this cult comedy legend working on a new show.
Visit http://bit.ly/12nkFQX for booking details.
