Pick of the Line: Voices, heard and seen

Typewriter. Image by Unsplash.

Image by Unsplash.

Celebrate the power of words – spoken or sung – and images this coming week, with comedy offerings, poetry readings, talks and contemporary art events all happening in the East End.

Illustrated 2015

This event features the best in contemporary illustration and street art, with a two-day exhibition, performances by London DJs and bands, and a live illustration battle.

When: 10am-11pm, May 9 and 10
Where: The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane
How much: £5 and £12.50

www.facebook.com/events/1427862790852161

Mojo Hand

This three-piece blues band - double bass, resonator and banjo - take on the East End with some Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter and the sounds of the delta.

When: 4-6pm, Saturday May 9
Where: Stories, 30-32 Broadway Market
How much: Free!

Latitude/Longitude: 53.0530, -1.8055

Four east London artists who call themselves The Rain Walkers journeyed to Dovedale in the Peak District last December to see how an unfamiliar environment would influence their work. This exhibition showcases the creations of sculptor Kim Bennett and photographers Tim Edwards, Steve Latner and John Sole from the trip.

When: 9am-7pm (Mon-Fri), 10:30am-5pm (Sat), May 11-28
Where: Brady Arts and Community Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street
How much: Free!

Days of Hope 1945-2015

What was the East End like in post-blitz 1945 and how far has it come? Ponder this with comedian Josie Long, then listen in on a conversation about the politics of hope with writer and broadcaster Paul Mason, Guardian columnist and campaigner Owen Jones and World War II veteran Harry Leslie Smith.

Poetry comes courtesy of Michael Rosen and Niall McDevitt, while ska band Captain Ska take charge of closing the show.

When: 7pm, Saturday May 9
Where: Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road
How much: £10

Write Now Festival

New and emerging writers find a platform in the Write Now Festival, which has been unearthing exciting talent with a connection to south-east London since 2010. Playwrights who will have their works staged this year include Olga Nikora (Rock Paper Scissors), Joseph Wilde (Dog Country), and Lucinda Burnett (Talking to Alice).

The festival also features shorts and workshops.

When: May 9-30
Where: The Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road
How much: Check www.brockleyjack.co.uk/writenow/the-festival for more information.

Arnold Whittall talks about Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream

Join Arnold Whittall, Professor Emeritus of Music at King's College London, as he offers insights into how Benjamin Britten and tenor Peter Pears adapted Shakespeare's play and turned it into one of the most successful operas of recent times.

When: 7:30pm, Monday May 11
Where: Recital Room, Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road
How much: £10

Alan Carr: Yap, Yap, Yap!

The BAFTA- and British Comedy Award-winning comedian, well-loved for his hit Channel 4 chat show Alan Carr: Chatty Man, takes his new stand-up show on the road and yaps it up.

When: 8pm, Sunday May 10
Where: Fairfield Halls Concert Hall
How much: £32.25

Theatre at The Spread Eagle: Eagle Improv

It's improv night at Croydon's monthly mashup, featuring off-the-cuff games and some of the best and brightest comedy and improv talents.

When: 8pm, Wednesday May 13
Where: The Spread Eagle, 39-41 Katharine Street
How much: £5

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