28 Jun 2023 Londonist
 
 
By Londonist · Jun 28, 2023 at 11:30

All weekend

This weekend in London: Pride flags hanging across Regent Street
Pride in London takes place this weekend. Image: istock/VV Shots

KENTISH TOWN: A reminder that Kentish Town tube station is now closed — though the Thameslink station remains open. The closure will last about a year, and is to allow for essential repairs to take place.

RIVER STAGE: The final weekend of this year's River Stage sees Hackney Empire’s Young Producers at the helm. The full programme, curated by 14-21 year olds, includes street dance crew Skadeuces, dance group Atypical With Attitude, DJs Pebz and Mimi Rich, an interactive movement workshop by The PappyShow, an improvised rap battle by Young Producers, and plenty more. It's unticketed, so drop in and out as you please across the weekend. FREE, 30 June-2 July

CIRCUS SCHOOL: Free festival Summer in Battersea Park continues this weekend, with circus performances and workshops to keep the kids entertained while The Ashes is shown on the big screen. There's a beer garden and street food too. FREE, 1-2 July

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY: It's one of our favourite annual exhibitions — and this weekend is your last chance to see it. Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum showcases photos from all over the world which depict the beauty and fragility of our planet. Until 2 July

This weekend in London: the interior of a diner, a film set at the Wes Anderson Asteroid City exhibition
Asteroid City has landed at 180 Strand.

CORPORATE QUEER: Coinciding with Pride, Corporate Queer is a free exhibition of photos of LGBTQI+ professionals in the City Of London. Head to Guildhall to see portraits of the current Lord Mayor of London, Nick Lyons; comedian and political activist Eddie Izzard; Sue Gossedge — Market Constable at Smithfield Market; and Broadgate jet washer/cleaner Michael David McLaughlan, among others. FREE, until 2 July

STEWART LEE: The great Stewart Lee scales things down for his latest show, Basic Lee, which you can catch at Southbank Centre this weekend. This time he's ditched the massive shark props for a show featuring just him and a microphone. Age 14+. 28 June-2 July

THE OTHER ART FAIR: Head to West Handyside Canopy in King's Cross to browse and buy art directly from 100 different artists at The Other Art Fair. Immersive installations, live performances and DJs, and a bar make this different from your usual art fair.29 June-2 July

WES ANDERSON: There's nothing #AccidentallyWesAnderson about the latest exhibition at 180 Strand — Asteroid City is Anderson through and through, coinciding with the release of the voguish director's film of the same name. Get up close to original sets, props, miniatures, costumes and artwork from the film, which is set in an American desert town in the 1950s — immersing you in Anderson's world. Until 8 July

This weekend in London: crowds of people sitting on grass in the sunshine at Summer in Battersea Park
Take the whole family along to Summer in Battersea Park

NEWHAM WORD FESTIVAL: A steady stream of free poetry and storytelling events flows through east London for the Newham Word Festival. Highlights this weekend include talks about the lost theatres of Newham, and a night of storytelling for grown ups. FREE, until 9 July

SCULPTURE IN THE CITY: Huge outdoor art trail Sculpture in the City is back, with works by 17 artists from 10 countries dotted around the Square Mile, including a fibreglass sculpture and a neon text piece. You can download the app for more information on each piece, or simply wander around and see what you stumble across. We've always found it best explored at weekends, when the City is quieter. FREE, from 27 June

FUSE INTERNATIONAL: Performing arts festival FUSE International takes over Kingston, with a programme of music, theatre, dance, comedy, visual arts, spoken word, circus and more. Highlights this weekend include live music performances at The Seven Saxons narrowboat and Kingston Marketplace, selected shows from this year's Brighton Fringe, and a masterclass in the art of reportage. 30 June-9 July

SPITALFIELDS MUSIC: There's more than just music at Spitalfields Music Festival; this weekend's programme includes walking tours of Limehouse and Mile End. Alternatively, head to All-Hallows-by-the-Tower for new music by composers Klaus Lang, Catherine Lamb and Lara Agar, performed by the Explore Ensemble. 30 June-12 July

Saturday 1 July

This weekend in London: a head and shoulders photo of Scully
Scully hosts the River Stage on behalf of Hackney Empire Young Producers all weekend.

EAT THE SCREEN: Today's Family Film Club at Barbican Cinema is a little different. It's part of the Eat The Screen series, which aims to generate conversations around farming, food waste and the like. Take the kiddos along to watch a series of short animations all on a food theme, featuring a grumpy gorilla, two brown bears, a genie, and myriad other characters. 11am

SPITALFIELDS BALLAD WALK: Folk singer and researcher Vivien Ellis leads a guided walk around Spitalfields, telling the story of street vendors and others who used to use song to make a living. It's part of the Museum of London Docklands' 20th anniversary celebrations. 11am

CHILDREN'S BOOK FESTIVAL: Blackheath Prep School hosts a day of free family entertainment, with author Michael Rosen as a special guest. There are children’s entertainers, author workshops, a craft fair, live music, bouncy castles, arts and craft activities, book trails, raffles, face painting and more. FREE ENTRY (charge for some activities), 11am-5pm

DRAG BRUNCH: Stars of UK & US Drag Race including Danny Beard make an appearance at the Pride special Drag Show Brunch at Between The Bridges. Food is available from the street food market, and your ticket includes an hour of bottomless booze, along with a live set by DJ Lady Lloyd, games, quizzes, and more. 11.30am-3pm

PRIDE IN LONDON: The Pride in London parade takes place today, wending its way from Hyde Park Corner to Trafalgar Square, with around 30,000 people and 300 floats expected to take part in celebration of London's LGBTQI+ community. It's free (and a lot of fun!) to watch, but whether you're involved or not, bear in mind that central London will be very busy today. FREE, from 12pm

LOVERS' ROCK: Enfield's Dugdale Arts Centre puts on a day of Romance & Reggae, with events centred around the lovers' rock genre; expect singalongs, a time capsule and story sharing. From 12pm

SEWING MACHINE MUSEUM: The monthly open day at London's little-known Sewing Machine Museum takes place this afternoon. It's home to more than 600 of the machines, including one which was owned by Queen Victoria's daughter. We visited it ourselves back in 2018. FREE (donations appreciated) 2pm-5pm

This weekend in London: two women hugging and posing for the camera in a club
Piano Works holds a Pride after party

POP-UP PAINTING: The London Art Bar in Holborn hosts a special Pride edition of Pop-Up Painting. All art supplies and materials are provided for you to create a rainbow image of London's skyline. There's a professional artist on hand to offer guidance, with drinks available to buy to help the creative process. 3.30pm-6pm

LEO GREEN: Saxophonist Leo Green has sure got some stamina; he and his band play six shows a week at Middle Eight's cocktail bar in Covent Garden — and Saturdays are one of those evenings. Whether you attend the early or late show, expect a slew of jazzed-up hits by everyone from Lizzo to Van Morrison. 7pm-9.15pm or 9.45pm-1am

LAUGH FOR LEUKAEMIA: Mr Swallow — AKA Nick Mohammed — Jason Manford, Brett Goldstein, Suzi Ruffell, Kiri Pritchard-Mclean, Catherine Bohart and Tessa Coates are all on the bill at the Laugh for Leukaemia fundraising night at Bloomsbury Theatre. It's a special one as it's the 10th anniversary show, raising money for Blood Cancer UK. 7.30pm

CAMDEN CABARET: Queera Lynn, Lucy Luawana, Sarah Callaghan and Violet Thistletease are on the bill at Camden Cabaret at All About Eve tonight — a heady mix of drag, burlesque and comedy, to which prudes will want to stay well away from, and everyone else will love. Doors 7pm, show 8pm

PRIDE AFTER PARTY: LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people are invited to the West End branch of Piano Works for a Pride after party. It's organised by Mint Events, an LGBTQ+ events organiser known for curating safe spaces and fun experiences for all queer women and the wider LGTBQ+ community, and tonight's event features 10 DJs across two dance rooms until the early hours. 8pm-4am

CLUB DE FROMAGE: Cheesy disco night Club de Fromage throws a Pride special at O2 Academy Islington.  Expect the usual blend of pop, rock, indie, power ballads, disco and classic r'n'b tunes, along with confetti cannons, sing alongs, air guitaring and balloons. 10.30pm-3.30am

Sunday 2 July

This weekend in London: people in a pub garden in the sunshine, with red and blue bunting overhead
The Nourished Communities Food Festival takes place at Big Penny Social.

HOT AIR BALLOONS?: Cross your fingers for good weather on Sunday morning, as it's the final date for this year's Lord Mayor's Hot Air Balloon Regatta. If it does happen, dozens of hot air balloons will take off from Battersea Park in the early hours, floating across the city's skies as London wakes up. FREE, from 5am

FOOD FESTIVAL: Over 100 of the country’s best independent producers pitch up at Big Penny Social for a day of food workshops, tastings, and talks. Take part in workshops such as kefir making and cheese tastings. 10am-6pm

FIRE STATION OPEN DAY: Hillingdon Fire Station throws open its doors to the public today, to show visitors around, and chat about fire safety. Most importantly, there's a fire engine, which kids (and adults) can climb inside. Maybe they'll even let you do the siren. FREE, 11am-3pm

PECKHAM SALVAGE YARD: Head to Peckham's Bussey Building to browse stalls by over 60 traders at this month's Peckham Salvage Yard. You could end up taking home vintage furniture, homewares and clothes. 11am-6pm

This weekend in London: a woman trying on pair of red sunglasses in the mirror at Peckham Flea Market
Hunt out a bargain at Peckham Salvage Yard.

THE CALLY FESTIVAL: Islington's Caledonian Road — affectionately known as 'The Cally' — closes to traffic and slips on its party gear for The Cally Festival. The free-entry celebration of local culture includes live music, storytelling, workshops, kids' activities and more. FREE, 12pm-6pm

EID BAZAR: The Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha is celebrated at Poplar Union with an Eid Bazar. Sample food from various stalls, browse locally-made products at the market — including jewellery, henna and candles — and there's even a chance to try paddle boarding on the canal. FREE, 1pm-4pm

MATT FORDE: Political satirist, and star of the likes of Spitting Image, Matt Forde, is at the Bill Murray this afternoon, performing the WIP for his show Inside No.10. It looks at 'the dark comedy horror that is British politics'... plus there are silly voices. 4.30pm-5.30pm

Copyright (C) 2023 Londonist Ltd All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you have signed up to Londonist mailing lists.

Londonist Ltd
3rd Floor
Willow House
72-74 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
United Kingdom

Add us to your address book