The lead-up to Christmas means November is a busy time in London, with ice rinks and winter wonderlands springing into action, but before that it’s Bonfire Night, and there’s a whole load of art, theatre and literature to take on board this month too…
1 Colour and Vision at the Natural History Museum, until 6 November
The Natural History Museum invites you to follow a 565 million year journey through the eyes of nature. Uncover how vision first evolved and how colour in animals suddenly became the difference between life and death.
Colour and Vision, until 6 November; nhm.ac.uk
2 Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia, now until 6 November
Olympia will be overrun with Christmas workshops and shop stalls this month for the Spirit of Christmas Fair. For those who want to start the gift shopping early, this event puts seasonal products, festive decorations and home accessories to children’s toys all in one convenient spot. There will also be a chance to hear decorating tips from the House & Garden experts, plus a selection of elegant dining experiences with friends or family in the Mosimann’s Winter Restaurant and Louis Roederer Champagne Bars. Tickets from £19.75.
Hammersmith Road W14 8UX; spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk
3 BalletBoyz at Richmond Theatre, 1-2 November
Due to popular demand, BalletBoyz have announced a second leg of their UK tour of Life, which will come to Richmond Theatre on 1 and 2 November. The production, which received its world premiere at London’s Sadler’s Wells in April to widespread critical acclaim, features new commissions by Javier de Frutos and Pontus Lidberg. The show also features an original score and the evening takes an elegant, powerful look at life and death, presented in BalletBoyz’ inimitable style.
The Green TW9 1QJ; 0844 871 7651; atgtickets.com/richmond
4 The Collars & Coats Gala Ball, Battersea, 3 November
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s annual world-famous Collars & Coats Gala Ball, supported by Vitabiotics SuperDog and now in its eighth year, is world-renowned for gathering some of the biggest names in entertainment to celebrate the incredible work of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. For one very special night each year, guests join stars of stage, screen, music and sport to experience the best red carpet event in the world, welcomed by dozens of the charity’s rescue dogs in Battersea’s world-famous Doggy Guard of Honour. Sister sledge is set to headline.
Battersea Evolution, Chelsea Gate, Battersea Park SW11 4NJ. To book a table see collarsandcoats.org.uk
5 Gansta Granny at New Wimbledon Theatre, 1-7 November
Birmingham Stage Company, the acclaimed producers of Horrible are bringing their world premiere of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny to New Wimbledon Theatre from Tuesday 1 November to Saturday 5 November. At Christmas 2013 a TV version of Gangsta Granny was shown on BBC One with an all-star cast including David Walliams himself, who has become the best-selling author for children in the country. Gangsta Granny is a must for all families as the show will be enjoyed by everyone from 5 to 105! It’s both laugh out loud funny and moving.
To book call 0844 871 7646 or see atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre
6 Hair by Sam McKnight, from 2 November
Opening on 2 November, Somerset House is proud to present Hair by Sam McKnight, a major exhibition celebrating the master hair stylist’s remarkable 40-year career. An integral part of the fashion industry, McKnight has been instrumental in helping to develop the images of Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Princess Diana and many more.
Embankment Galleries, Somerset House WC2R 1LA; somersethouse.org.uk
7 Flaming June: The Making of an Icon, from 4 November
Leighton House Museum has announced a prestigious exhibition in the unique setting of Frederic Leighton’s ‘House Beautiful’ in Kensington. For the first time since it left for exhibition at the Royal Academy in 1895, Flaming June: The Making of an Icon opens on 4 November and brings back this iconic work to the house in which it was painted, and reunites it with the the other pictures shown by Leighton in that year – his final submission, made only months before his death in January 1896. Running until 2 April 2017.
12 Holland Park Road W14 8LZ; 020 7602 3316; rbkc.gov.uk/FlamingJune
8 Wahaca’s Day of the Dead festival, 3-5 November
Wahaca will once again be behind a three-day agave-fuelled fiesta in celebration of Mexico’s favourite festival, Day of the Dead. From 3-5 November, The Vaults in Waterloo will be transformed into a den of Mexican festivities with three nights of live music and art, hedonistic performance, street food and tequila, showcasing the best of Modern Mexican culture.
Leake Street SE1 7NN; wahacaDOTD.co.uk
9 Clissold Park fireworks display, 5 November
Stoke Newington will hold a spectacular display of sparkling fireworks, shooting across the dark sky like glitter shot out of cannons. Dubbed a ‘pyromusical’, artistic displays that explode across the sky and soundtrack classics will combine to bring you an evening of festive fun. A children’s fun fair, street performers, a multitude of street food vendors and a creative themed firework show will all feature, lighting up the sky and the atmosphere. The fireworks will begin at 7pm followed by a huge bonfire. Tickets £2.50-£8.50.
Green Lanes N16 9HJ; 020 8356 8428. See eventbrite.co.uk for tickets
10 Brian O’Driscoll hosts the Pink Lion Rugby Club, 8-10 November
Pink Lion Rugby Club launches this month with a week of British & Irish Lions fuelled entertainment at Mayfair’s The Clarence. The club, created by Thomas Pink in celebration of their role as official outfitters to the lions for the world’s most stylish rugby fans, kicks off with rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll hosting a series of experiential events, featuring a quiz and a chance to meet other legends of the game, from 8-10 November.
To be guaranteed entry to the events, see pinklionrugbyclub.com
11 Zheni Warner at Richmond Hill Gallery, from 11 November
This exhibition is to be the first major one of its kind in London, so it’s perhaps no surprise that Richmond Hill Gallery are so proud to be presenting it. The ebullient Zheni Warner, daughter of well known Bulgarian artist Violeta Maslarova, presents a fusion of classical paintwork combined with neon, illuminated wire and light boxes. The Light of the World opens 11 November and will run until 1 January, with an aim to show people how it is possible to marry modern technology with the skills and sensibilities of the renaissance masters.
26 Richmond Hill TW10 6QX; 020 8940 5152; therichmondhillgallery.com
12 Dulwich Literary Festival, 11-13 November
The Dulwich Literary Festival returns from 11-13 November, presented by Dulwich Books and taking place at Dulwich College. This year’s event takes its theme from Anthony Trollope’s novel The Way We Live Now, first published in 1875, which explored how systematic greed and corruption permeated the sphere of politics, commerce, journalism and diplomacy. Authors involved include Joanna Trollope and Nick Clegg.
dulwichliteraryfestival.co.uk
13 The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair, 11-13 November
Handmade in Britain 16: The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair is the 10th anniversary of this fantastic event at the beautiful Chelsea Old Town Hall. Over three days, the event will celebrate the best in high-end design and craftsmanship from over 100+ highly skilled, UK-based designer-makers, and to celebrate the landmark, all tickets booked in advance are 2-for-1. It’s a great way to start the Christmas shopping early! Tickets £10.
Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, London SW3 5EE; handmadeinbritain.co.uk
14 Lee Green Open studios, 12-13 and 19-20 November
Lee Green Open Studios takes place on two consecutive weekends this month, 12-13 and 19-20 November from 12-6pm with nearly 50 artists ranging from textile designer Donna Read, to mixed media and print artist Rachel Pank. You’ll also find photographers, painters, sculptors, ceramicists, textile artists, jewellers and more opening up their homes and studios across the area.
leegreenopenstudios.com
15 Catherine Hyde at Foss Fine Art, from 12 November
The Running of the Deer is the latest collection of paintings by Cornish artist Catherine Hyde at Foss Fine Art gallery from 12-26 November. Well known for her atmospheric, symbolic paintings this rich collection focusses on imagery drawn from early carols and poems to create a body of work that celebrates the winter season. The show also features works from The Star Tree, Hyde’s dreamlike and lyrical picture book for children.
113B Northcote Road, Battersea SW11 6PW; 020 7738 0838; fossfineart.com
16 A screening of Blow Up at Dulwich Picture Gallery, 14 November
Dulwich Picture Gallery’s film screening this month is Blow Up, the 1966 classic starring David Hemmings and Vanessa Redgrave. After taking pictures in a park, a London photographer is horrified to find an ambigious image lurking on the edge of the frame, believing he has unwittingly captured a murder on film. 14 November. Tickets are £9 (Friends £7), which includes a glass of wine, snacks and film notes.
Gallery Road SE21 7AD; 020 8693 5254; dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
17 Seeking Africa: Design/Art Across a Continent, from 16 November
Themes & Variations gallery in Westbourne Grove presents Seeking Africa: Design/Art Across a Continent, the first exhibition in the UK to focus on the rich variety of contemporary design from Africa. The rise of individual visions, evolving into a stronger communal voice, is explored in the exhibition that opens on 16 November and runs until 16 December.
231 Westbourne Grove W11 2SE; 020 7727 5531; themesandvariations.com
18 Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, 17-20 November
Brocket Gallery will be hosting the first Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair at Royal Arsenal Riverside from 17-20 November. The UK’s largest solely contemporary print fair will sell original, affordable prints alongside demonstrations, artists tours and advice on how to start an art collection.
Royal Arsenal, Woolwich SE18 6GD; woolwichprintfair.com
19 Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, from 18 November
London’s most popular festive event returns to Hyde Park in November. Highlights include The Magical Ice Kingdom – the biggest ice and snow sculpture experience in the UK – the Nutcracker on Ice, Ice Skating and the Ice Bar – seems there’s a bit of a theme! There’s no where better to sip on mulled wine on a cold winter’s afternoon than here! Open until 2 January 2017. Ticket prices vary depending on the attraction you want to visit.
hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/attractions
20 Carl Laubin at Plus One Gallery, from 23 November
Carl Laubin’s solo show is coming to the new Plus One Gallery at Battersea Reach from 23 November-10 December. Recognised as one of the finest architectural painters of all time, Laubin is best known for his ‘capricci’ – architectural fantasy paintings combining buildings and ruins with elements of fiction. Commissioned by such institutions as the Pompidou Centre, Castle Howard, the Duchy of Cornwall and the National Trust, this special exhibition of his work is not to be missed.
B&C Trafalgar House, Juniper Drive SW18 1GY; 020 7730 7656; plusonegallery.com
21 Encompass by Michael Speller at Clarendon Gallery, from 23 November
Encompass, running from 23 November-7 December, is Michael Speller’s second solo show at Mayfair’s Clarendon Gallery. Encompass is made up of 210 figures that form an open bronze sphere, with individual creations having their own personal story.
michaelspeller.com
22 Beazley Designs of the Year at the new Design Museum, from 24 November
A coffee cup for astronauts, the David Bowie Blackstar album cover and a sexual health testing kit… Opening 24 November, Beazley Designs of the Year will form part of the opening programme of exhibitions at the Design Museum’s new home on Kensington High Street. Comprising over 70 nominations, the exhibition celebrates the best designs from around the world.
224-238 Kensington High Street W8 6AG; 020 3862 5900; designmuseum.org
23 Rod Stewart at the O2 Arena, 25 November
Due to phenomenal demand, the inimitable musical legend Rod Stewart has announced a second London date to his From Gasoline Alley to Another Country Hits 2016 UK arena tour. The extra date will see him return to the O2 on 25 November, following on from an already announced gig on 22 November at the same venue.
Tickets are available now from aeglive.co.uk
24 The Libertine, now until 3 December
Dominic Cooper stars in Stephen Jeffreys’ sexually charged masterpiece The Libertine, being staged at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until 3 December. John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester, is a charismatic poet, playwright and rake with a legendary appetite for excess. Yet this most ardent of hedonists is forced to reconsider everything he thinks and feels when a chance encounter with an actress sends him reeling. Tickets from £15.
Haymarket SW1Y 4HT; 020 7930 8800; thelibertineonstage.com
25 Pablo Picasso’s portraits, now until 5 February 2017
Pablo Picasso’s portraits epitomise the astonishing variety and innovation of his art. This major exhibition of over 80 works focuses on the artist’s portrayal of family, friends and lovers, and reveals his creative processes as he moved freely between drawing from life, humorous caricature and expressive painting from memory. Exhibition runs until 5 February, 2017.
St Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE; 020 7306 0055; npg.org.uk
26 Wildlife Photographer of the Year, now until early 2017
A curious fox cub, a hungry hornbill and an inquisitive orca all play a starring role in images from the finalists of Wildlife Photographer of the Year’s 52nd competition. The annual event is a global platform for the world’s best nature photography, showcasing the planets most extraordinary sights. The exhibition runs until early 2017 at the Natural History Museum.
nhm.ac.uk
27 The Camera Exposed, until 5 March
The Camera Exposed, running until early next year at the V&A, puts the camera front and centre as it generally fades from view thanks to the modern technology of the 21st century. From formal portraits to casual snapshots, still-lifes to collages, every photograph in this display features at least one camera, appearing as reflections or shadows, and sometimes as objects in their own right. Until 5 March 2017.
vam.ac.uk