Pic: Tea Dance for Little People
Summer is well and truly here and with the fete and festival season in full swing there really is something for everyone this weekend. While the sun is (mainly) still shining why not head outside for our Pick of the Line for the coming week…
Hackney
The Voice UK winner, Jermain Jackman will open Hackney Village Fete on July 12 at 1pm at St John’s Church at Hackney. You can have a wonder around the stalls including plant sales and vintage clothing collections, enjoy the street entertainers on the Narrow Way, try and win a prize with a tug of war and sip a local craft beer while listening to the special music stage organised by Oslo Bar. Look out for the dog fashion parade.
Discover Clissold Park in the dark on July 14 from 8 -10pm in Hackney for an opportunity to explore the secret night-time world of the Park. Not convinced? Think owls and bats – biodiversity by twilight. This one of a number of walks and talks which will happen in Clissold Park over the summer. For booking information see: http://www.hackney.gov.uk/clissold-park.htm#.U74iiVazDwJ
Tower Hamlets
Our Big Gig is on July 13 in Victoria Park at the Opera Field and starts 1pm. Soak up the sounds of London Metropolitan Brass, Annee Patrice, East London Late Starters Orchestra, London Saxophone Choir (see below), Shkembe Soup and many more. There will also be a chance to find out more about and try some instruments. This event is part of the nationwide ‘Our Big Gig’ music festival this summer, which will have feet tapping up and down the country as local and community music groups are celebrated.
London Saxophone Choir Pic: AEMB Photography
Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing will be performed by Chapterhouse Theatre Company at Jubilee Park in Canary Wharf on Monday July, 14. Watch the ‘merry-war’ play out between Beatrice and Benedict in The Bard’s romantic comedy from 6.45pm.
And if none of that floats your boat head to the River Thames and welcome back the Corinthian sailors of the Clipper 2013-14 40,000 miles round the world yacht race on July 12. The parade up the River should reach Canary Wharf Pier by 12.30pm and will end in St Katherine’s Dock near Tower Hill. For more information see:http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/ports/St+Katharine+Docks+-+Race+Finish
Lewisham
It is Lewisham People’s Day on Saturday 12 July. In its 30th year, this free festival will take place from 12 to 8pm at Mountsfield Park. It is actually four festivals in one as the park is split into different areas with their own unique feel. Head to the Carswell Road entrance for sports taster sessions including football and boxing. The George Lane area will have a bandstand and an under five’s area which will give way to singers and spoken word by the time they are ready for a nap. Near the Brownhill Road entrance is the Lewisham Music Hub stage, fun fair and lots of community stalls. Look out too for the craft market and historic vehicles.
If you can drag yourself away from Sydenham Arts Festival, venture up to Forest Hill. Food and frivolity Edwardian style can be found at the beautiful Hormiman Museum and Gardens this weekend. Horniman’s Curious Tea Party on July 12 and July 13 is billed as an eccentric weekend of Edwardian inspired dance, music, and food including tea dances, a singing treasure hunt, amazing art installations, circus acts and more.
Croydon
Croydon’s first ‘Teenage Market’ is on July 12 from 12pm in Exchange Square, just off the main Surrey Street Market near the historic water tower. Organisers Croydon Old Town Portas Team promise lots of vibrant looking stalls and some great music including from November Criminals a very cool young rock band from Croydon “who play pop punk covers and originals sometimes” and “try not to suck”.
Beats and Eats gig run in conjunction with the charity Lives not Knives is on July 12 from 5pm. Hosted by Fire Blazing, expect live music from: The Tetlows, Just Another Paper Article, Kate Thomas, John Paul Butler & Thili, Alice Phelps, Sam Willoughby, Muna, Hummingbird, Caliman, Beats & Eatles, and Funk’t U. Freshly cooked street food will be available outside from Surry Street Traders and make sure you snaffle a cake from Gemma The Baker.
