It’s #SummerInLondon! From outdoor theatre in Regents Park to pop-up cinema screens all over London and, of course, Notting Hill Carnival, you’re never going to be short of things to do in London this August
1LDO Carnival, Wembley Park, 30 July-7 August
London Designer Outlet in Wembley Park is hosting a free carnival with plenty to entertain from 30 July-7 August. Join in samba dance lessons or drumming classes, or have your picture taken on a carnival set, whilst kids can enjoy the fabulous face painters and a special carnival craft station. After a full day of excitement be sure to head into one of LDO’s 20 restaurants, and don’t miss out on picking up a bargain at one of the 50 outlet stores, offering year round savings of up to 70% off RRP.
londondesigneroutlet.com
2Christie’s Lates: Festival of Folk, 2 August 2016
Christie’s South Kensington is hosting Christie’s Lates: Festival of Folk on 2 August. Dedicated to folk culture and how it is celebrated in Britain today, the evening offers up an acoustic set inspired by the Thames from Mercury-Prize nominated singer Sam Lee, photographer Henry Bourne in conversation with collector Simon Costin and a demonstration of Boss Morris’ unique take on Morris dancing. Beach London will be presenting illustrator Rob Flowers, who will spend the evening designing a series of masks inspired by various folkloric pieces – join in and create your own folklore mask. 6pm-8.30pm. Free entry. Cash bar.
Christie’s South Kensington, 85 Old Brompton Road SW7 3LD; christies.com/lates
3Upswing Circus, Greenwich Peninsula, 3 & 17 August
Roaming theatre company Upswing heads for Greenwich Peninsula for two days in August to show you how to blend circus, theatre and dance. Upswing will showcase its own unique blend of aerial skills, showing high energy acts that will challenge everything you think you know about circus! Watch four short pieces and then the kids can have a go in one of three open workshops. 1-5pm.
Gateway Pavilion, Peninsula Square SE10 0SQ; greenwichpeninsula.co.uk
4Pop Ritzy Summer Screenings, Pop Brixton, 4 & 18 August
The Pop Ritzy Summer Screenings features two separate programmes, one of daytime children’s screenings and one of evening adult screenings. The evening screenings were chosen via popular vote on the cinema’s facebook page and combine much-loved movies with themed events, all included in one ticket price. The first screening is Billy Wilder comedy Some Like It Hot (4 August, 6.30pm) which stars Marilyn Monroe as a seductive jazz singer, followed by live jazz from the Christian Miller trio. The next screening is Ben Zeitlin’s critically Hurricane Katrina drama Beasts of the Southern Wild (18 August, 6.30pm), combined with music from Dom Pipkin’s New Orleans Trio. The series ends in September with Marc Webb’s sweet romantic comedy 500 Days of Summer (15 September, 6.30pm), followed by a karaoke after party.
To book see designmynight.com
5The World Illustration Awards 2016, Somerset House, 1-29 August
The World Illustration Awards 2016 will be staged at Somerset House from 1-29 August. This unique exhibition, now in its 40th year, presents over 50 of the very best artworks across the diverse field of illustration. The breadth of work is celebrated across eight categories, including advertising, children’s books, editorial and public art. The shortlisted and winning pieces comprise posters, book illustrations, animations and GIFs to sculptural pieces and textiles.
The Strand, London WC2R 1LA; theaoi.com
6Splash Fest, Battersea Park, 7 August
On Sunday 7 August, Splash Fest is set to transform Battersea Park into a water wonderland. Featuring five zones of water-themed challenges and games over a 2.5km trail, as well as a lively event village, Splash Fest will see families conquering slides, foam, water spouts and more. Organised by life-saving charity, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Splash Fest is ideal for families with children aged around seven to 12 and promises to be one of the summer’s unmissable events.
splashfest.co.uk
7Spotlight, Seven Dials, 13 August
Spotlight returns to Seven Dials on Saturday 13 August with a free one-day music, comedy and arts festival. From 12-7pm the area will be traffic-free with live performances, family-friendly activities like creating festival flower headbands, crazy golf and a pop-up tea garden. An open-air stage will showcase an impressive line-up of performances hosted by TV and radio presenter George Lamb, including an exclusive show piece from Motown the Musical and a comedy set from Nathan Caton. The shops and boutiques will also be offering exclusive instore discounts and promotions.
sevendials.co.uk
8London Craft Beer Festival, Oval Space, 12-14 August
London Craft Beer Festival returns to the Oval Space, East London, from 12-14 August. As well as a collection of the greatest craft beers from around the globe, the event features a full programme of DJ sets from special guests and big-flavour eats like LCBF’s signature Onglet Grill. Sample exclusive one-off special brews from the best and brightest independent craft brewers like London favourites The Kernel, Swedish creative brewers Omnipollo and Australians Stone & Wood. Across the road from Oval Space, Fuller’s will be running a cask takeover at the Pickle Factory. All-inclusive tickets £38.50 (entry, tasting glass, tasting notes, access to Fuller’s Cask Yard and unlimited small pours). Weekend all-sessions ticket £130.
londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk
9Roisin Murphy, Globe Theatre, 15 August
Mercury Prize nominee Roisin Murphy will take over the Globe Theatre for a live music gig on 15 August (tickets £25-£45). The event is part of a series of music concerts, dubbed Wonder Women, curated by Lauren Laverne, the series of gigs celebrates the extraordinary innovation of some powerful and visionary women who are altering the complexion of popular music in the 21st century.
shakespearesglobe.com
10Open Air Cinema Season, various locations
August is peak month for London’s alfresco cinema pop-ups. Here are our top three:
Film4 Summer Screen, Somerset House, 4-17 August: A prestigious programme of classic and contemporary films, including three UK premieres and the 20th anniversary screening of Trainspotting, will be presented in stunning surroundings. Tickets: somersethouse.org.uk
Pop Up Screens, Manor House Gardens, 26-28 August: An epic programme of classic films in some of London’s finest outdoor spaces. At Manor House Gardens in Hither Green you can see Breakfast Club, Dirty Dancing and Back to the Future from 26-28 August. Tickets: popupscreens.co.uk
Luna Cinema, Hampton Court Palace, 12-13 August: On 12 August see Julia Roberts’ big break in Pretty Woman, followed by the seminal summer blockbuster Jaws on 13 August. We can just picture the scene now when John Williams’ famous score kicks in… Tickets: thelunacinema.com
READ MORE
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11Ronnie Scott’s International Piano Trio Festival 2016, 15-20 August
Ronnie Scott’s International Piano Trio Festival shines a light on one of the most vibrant, accessible and popular aspects of the jazz scene– the piano trio. From the heady, smoke-filled jazz club days of Art Tatum and Bill Evans to contemporary trailblazers EST to crossover stars Jamie Cullum and his trio, the piano trio has always been at the forefront of new developments in jazz. This year’s festival, running from Monday 15 to Saturday 20 August, is truly international in it’s scope. Together, Polish jazz legend Leszek Możdżer, Swedish Bassist Lars Danielsson and Israeli percussionist Zohar Fresco explore classically influenced contemporary repertoire while American mainstream great Cyrus Chestnut appears with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Lenny White. And there’s plenty more…
Ronnie Scott’s, 47 Frith Street, Soho W1; 020 7439 0747; ronniescotts.co.uk
12The Entertainer, the Garrick, 20 August-12 November
The Entertainer will be the final production in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s Plays at the Garrick, opening on 20 August. Branagh himself will play the unforgettable Archie Rice. John Osborne’s modern classic conjures the seedy glamour of the old music halls for an explosive examination of public masks and private torment.
2 Charing Cross Road WC2H 0HH; 0844 482 9673; branaghtheatre.com
13Let’s Party Live Lounge, Karen Hardy Studios, 26 August
Karen Hardy Studios has an extra special Samba-inspired treat in store this month. The studios’ Let’s Party Live Lounge event on 26 August invites dancers of all abilities to heat up the dance floor at the luxury waterside location to the live sounds of rising star Lee Gold.
10 The Boulevard, Imperial Wharf SW6 2UB. Email info@karenhardystudios.com to reserve your spot
14Her Name was Carmen, London Coliseum, 25-28 August
The new ballet heading to the Coliseum in August will once again highlight the plight of the millions of refugees all around the world. Carmen is a story that has been adapted countless times over the last century, but the star of Her Name was Carmen, Irina Kolesnikova, insists we haven’t seen anything like this. ‘This is a Carmen audiences won’t have seen before. From the beginning she is on a mission. Her driving force is to bring together families that have been torn apart. Hers is a story of freedom, its beauty as well as its cost. Our aim is to make the final scene one of the most spectacular that the ballet world has ever seen!’ Her Name was Carmen will be at the London Coliseum from 25-28 August 2016.
eno.org
15Alexandra Palace, Foodies Festival, 27-29 August
Foodies Festival Returns to Alexandra Palace for a Bank Holiday feast from 27-29 August with MasterChef winner Jane Devonshire cooking live in the Chefs Theatre, cookery demonstrations from London’s top chefs, a focus on Brazilian street food on the Street Food Avenue, more award-winning producers than ever before, a new Vintage Tea Tent with Afternoon Tea and more.
Click here for the chance to win VIP tickets!
16Wimbledon Park Food Festival, 27-29 August
Wimbledon Park Food Festival returns for the third year running from 27-29 August 2016. Filled with delicious produce, it’s a memorable day out that’s perfect for dedicated foodies and families. Sample fresh, regional food and drink from over 40 stallholders, from gourmet burgers to retro ice creams, learn new skills from expert demonstrations and talks, and relax in beautiful surroundings to the backdrop of live music. Picnic on straw bales while the children play garden games, listen to storytellers and have their faces painted.
fantasticbritishfoodfestivals.com
17Notting Hill Carnival, 28-29 August
There will be no getting away from it on 28-29 August: Notting Hill Carnival is back. The streets of west London will once again come alive with vibrant colours, eclectic sounds and great street food over the Bank Holiday weekend with Europe’s biggest street festival. However many times we go, we still marvel at the creativity and costumes on show. The Carnival Bands will take to the roads from around 9am on 28 and 29 August and the parade should complete its procession by 7pm. There’s also a Pre-Carnival Street Party on Saturday 27 August from 12noon-2am.
thenottinghillcarnival.com
18Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent Park’s Open Air Theatre Season, now until 27 August
Celebrating 45 years since Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s seminal musical first hit the stage, Timothy Sheader will direct Jesus Christ Superstar. With a legendary score including ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’ and ‘Superstar’, this epic story with choreography by Drew McOnie will find a new resonance in the unique surroundings of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Tickets £25-£52.50 (premium seats £65, including best seat, programme and glass of wine).
openairtheatre.com
19Winifred Knights, Dulwich Picture Gallery, now until 18 September
Inspired by the masterpieces of Italian Early Renaissance artists, painstakingly exact in her working methods, and even declared a genius, Winifred Knights (1899-1947) is one of the most original, pioneering British artists of the first half of the 20th century. The first major retrospective of the award-winning Slade School artist, this exhibition – running until 18 September – will reunite all her completed paintings for the first time since their creation, including the apocalyptic masterpiece The Deluge, 1920, which attracted immense critical acclaim.
Gallery Road SE21 7AD; 020 8693 5254; dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
20Shakespeare in 10 Acts at The British Library, now until 6 September
Finishing on 6 September, Shakespeare in 10 Acts at The British Library focuses on 10 key performances that were the making of the Bard. Visitors will be granted access to original Shakespeare artefacts, such as the only surviving playscript in his hand, plus authentic costumes from the 1955 performance of Macbeth. As part of London’s celebration of the 400th anniversary since Shakespeare’s death, this exhibition offers unrivalled access into Shakespeare’s personal life and the most iconic performances of his work.
96 Euston Road NW1 2DB; bl.uk
21Festival of Love, Southbank Centre, now until 29 August
Until 29 August, the Festival of Love will be celebrating the greatest human emotion, with a packed programme of music, art, dance and performance at Southbank Centre. Explore love in its many forms, including love of cities and places, love’s power to inspire creativity and social action, and the changing nature of love in the 21st century.
southbankcentre.co.uk
22Master Strokes: Dutch and Flemish Drawings from the Golden Age, V&A, now until 13 November
This summer the V&A will for the first time display some of the most important works from the Museum’s outstanding collection of Dutch and Flemish drawings. Master Strokes: Dutch and Flemish Drawings from the Golden Age will present over 70 works from the 16th-19th century, including masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens, Sir Anthony van Dyck and Rembrandt van Rijn.
Cromwell Road SW7 2RL; 020 7942 2000; vam.ac.uk