WHAT’S ON
What’s on
Totally Thames Festival 1 September - 1 October
Compiled by Robina Cowan
All details are as provided when going to press. However, in case of changed plans, do double-check before setting out.
SPECIAL EVENTS Totally Thames Festival www.thamesfestivaltrust.org 1 September - 1 October Browse and book events taking place across all London boroughs. Spanning all age groups and interests, the programme includes photography exhibitions, art installations, workshops, dance, concerts, talks, community events and more - all about the river. Lewisham Food Market Cornmill Gardens, Elmira Street SE13 7BN www.lewishamfoodmarket.com First Sunday, monthly Support local small businesses and stock up on tasty goodies at Lewisham’s new street food and produce market, set in an awardwinning park. 10am-4pm. Paws in the Park Cator Park, Beckenham BR3 1NA www.pengese20.co.uk 10 September The family-friendly dog show returns, with prizes galore, playtime, training tips, pet health and animal charity stalls. Food, craft beer and Pimm’s available for humans. Greenwich & Docklands International Festival Greenwich, East London and City of London www.festival.org/gdif-2023 Until 10 September GDIF is an award-winning festival of FREE outdoor theatre and arts. Events include theatre on a London bus, a swan ballet on water, circus, music and dance and an immersive dance show on a trampoline stage. The Acts of Hope theme will bring uplifting moments of reflection, creativity and celebration. Friends of Mayow Park Dog Show Mayow Park SE26 4JA Friends of Mayow Park (FOMP) on Facebook 24 September Calling pooch owners - enter your dog to showcase their looks, tricks or fancy dress! £2 per category, 11am-2pm. Dyslexia Fair Bell House, College Road, SE21 7BG www.bellhouse.co.uk 30 September Learn more about dyslexia, meet experts and discover useful resources. The event will include talks, advice clinics, workshops and exhibitors. Sydenham Fun Palace Sydenham Centre SE26 5XQ www.funpalaces.co.uk 7 October A day out for all where members of the public share their skills, talent and knowledge for free, such as the arts, diy, gardening and more.
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New Scientist Live ExCel London E16 1XL www.live.newscientist.com 7-8 October From live science experiments to talks by world-class scientists, up-and-coming researchers and the UK’s top academic minds, the educational and enlightening festival showcases the very latest in technology and science. London Literature Festival Southbank Centre SE1 8XX www.southbankcentre.co.uk 18-29 October A festival for readers and book lovers of all ages, celebrating the written and spoken word. Free and family-friendly events during October half term include new books from Jacqueline Wilson and Jeffrey Boakye and a London premiere from Zeb Soanes with the Orpheus Sinfonia. The Baby Show London Olympia W14 8UX www.thebabyshow.co.uk 20-22 October Complete with hundreds of exhibitors, exclusive show offers, an abundance of celebrity appearances, expert advice and the opportunity to try before you buy, The Baby Show is a must-go for all new and expectant parents.
THEATRE & SHOWS West Norwood Picture House Norwood High Street SE27 9JU www.picturehouses.com Sit back and enjoy a big-screen film in a cinema that welcomes families. Sessions include Watch with Baby, Toddler Time, Autism-friendly and a Kids Club. Shakespeare’s Globe New Globe Walk SE1 9DT www.shakespearesglobe.com Family Workshops The Globe’s family workshops feature a range of activities and games based on Shakespeare’s best-loved plays. 21-24 October Macbeth, ages 5-8 and 9-12. 22-25 October The Winter’s Tale, ages 5-8 and 9-12. Unicorn Theatre Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com 19 September - 15 October The Tempest ‘We are such stuff as dreams are made on’... When the sorcerer Prospero conjures up a storm to shipwreck his enemies, he sets the scene for an enchanting tale of spells, monsters, revenge and romance. In this 75-minute show, The Tempest re-imagined for everyone aged six and over brings Shakespeare’s text thrillingly to life for younger audiences. This show is full of music and songs with brilliant comedy, breathtaking costumes and set design that will leave you overflowing with glee. Ages 6-11.
21 October Skydiver Prepare to soar through fluffy clouds where flocks of birds and butterflies flutter, in this multisensory dance experience for families. Ages 3-5. 11 November - 31 December The Bolds The Bolds live in an ordinary house on an ordinary street and they love to laugh. But they’re not ordinary people; they are hyenas! With live music and songs by Julian Clary and Simon Wallace, come and revel in the joy of being anything but ordinary. Ages 6+. Various venues www.byobcomedy.com Bring Your Own Baby Comedy A funny, friendly afternoon of top comedy, where baby can come too and join in with the rumpus. Shows feature a new line up of comedians each month with two acts plus a compere. Ages: grownups plus under 12 months. Bromley: 11 September and 2 October Greenwich: 14 September Crystal Palace: 26 September and 31 October East Dulwich: 12 October Blackheath Halls Lee Road SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com 7 October Ben Garrod Ultimate Dinosaurs Get ready to go on an exciting pre-historic adventure as Dr Ben presents an interactive, educational and highly entertaining dinosaur show. Ages 5+. 14 October Edward Lear’s Dream Step inside Edward Lear’s brilliantly anarchic world of nonsense rhymes and limericks. Embrace the silliness, dive into a sea of words, an absurd alphabet soup of poppycock and gobbledygook. Ages 3+. 21 October Olaf Falafel’s Super Stupid Show Comedian and children’s author Olaf Falafel offers a family-friendly frivolity of truth-telling cheese, fishing, ducks, bumbags, sausages and maybe some drawing. Southbank Centre Southbank SE1 8XX www.southbankcentre.co.uk 15 & 29 September, 13 October Rug Rhymes What rhymes with rug? National Poetry Library puppets Federico and Firebird can’t wait to tell you at a session of nursery rhymes, poems and rhyming stories. Ages 0-5.
24 September The Multi-Story Orchestra: In Too Deep Feel the power of sound in a familyfriendly performance that invites you to get close to the orchestra before lifting you up with a joyous performance. Ages 7+ 22 October Fred and the Fantastic Tub-Tub Zeb Spoanes narrates his magical story for children, with live music by the Orpheus Sinfonia. Bromley Churchill Theatre High Street Bromley BR1 1HA www.churchilltheatre.co.uk 17 September Fireman Sam Saves the Circus When all of his friends go away, Norman Price decides to become the star of a visiting circus. But his adventure soon turns to danger. Can Fireman Sam come to the rescue? Age 3+. Sadler’s Wells Theatre Rosebery Avenue EC1R 4TN www.sadlerswells.com Last Friday of each month Family Fridays Dance workshops for accompanied children, facilitated by a freelance lead and supporting artist and managed by the Learning & Engagement Department. Ages 2-4, all abilities. 25-26 October Sleeping Beauty Let’s All Dance bring the glittering classical ballet to life in a shortened production to engage young audiences. Ages 2-14. Peacock Theatre Portugal Street WC2A 2HT www.sadlerswells.com 18 November - 30 December The Snowman Based on Raymond Briggs’ beloved children’s book and the subsequent animated film, The Snowman is a timeless story transformed for the stage with dazzling and whimsical sets, dancing and music performed by a live orchestra. Various dates and venues www.bachtobaby.com Bach to Baby Critically-acclaimed classical concerts for babies and their grownups. Outstanding musicians put on exhilarating performances where babies can ‘join in’ with as much noise as they like! London Bridge: 10 September and 15 October Greenwich: 17 September and 8 October East Dulwich: 19 September and 17 October Bromley: 16 October Dulwich Village: 23 October
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