Litro Events – Listing Summer 2010

Alex James

Films and festivals make up the long run of events that’ll take you through summer to the season of mellow fruitfulness. Think of moments to make you laugh, help you start that novel, and celluloid that’ll make you laugh and cry, in this season’s events, edited by Alexander James.

29th July to 8th August, Film 4 Summer Screen, Somerset House. Film 4’s Summer Screen has become a major summer attraction in London for anyone looking for some relaxed al fresco entertainment. This summer, the stunning backdrop of Somerset House is transformed into an open-air cinema. Food and drink is available and picnics are also allowed. The rest of the diverse programme includes recent box-office hits, talks, classic films and Saturday night double bills. See: www.somersethouse.org.uk

4th August – 11th September, Into the Woods, Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park. Into the Woods takes the stories of the Brothers Grimm and gives them a dark and humorous twist. The popular tales of Red Riding Hood and Jack (of Beanstalk fame) are interwoven with Cinderella and Rapunzel. However, this retelling goes beyond ‘happily ever after’ as the familiar characters find themselves in unfamiliar circumstances and hopes and dreams are questioned and revisited. For more information visit www.openairtheatre.com

All of August, Syon Park Cinema, Syon Park House, Brentford. Get your film fix in the gardens of historic Syon Park House – the London home of the Duke of Northumberland – there’s more films with an eighties twist at the ‘cinema under the stars’. Bring a picnic, your friends, and your best Eighties gear. See: www.syonpark.co.uk

10th August, Liars’ League, The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, W1G 0PP. The only live fiction event where actors read the stories, now in its third year, presents a clutch of fresh, fantastic tales based around the theme Here & Now. Book quiz at the interval and special offers on wine all night. See: www.liarsleague.com

13th – 15th August, Canary Wharf Jazz Festival, Canada Square. Following the resounding success of 2009’s festival, this ever popular celebration of jazz, now in its 4th year, returns to Canada Square Park with a powerful line-up. Whether you’re new to jazz or a committed aficionado, Canada Square Park offers an unforgettable three days of traditional and modern jazz, jazz-funk, Latin rhythms, soul, and instrumental. See: www.mycanarywharf.com

13th – 15th August, Faber Academy: Begin Writing Your First Novel, The Grove, Hertfordshire. Over three days, in the historic and atmospheric surroundings of The Grove, and in association with the UK’s leading independent publisher, Faber and Faber, Sarah Hall and co-tutor Adam Foulds will host a fiction course open to aspiring writers of all levels, but with particular emphasis on how to begin writing a novel. Award-winning authors will be on hand to offer insight and an invigorating approach towards harnessing inspiration, drafting the words, and editing them. See: www.thegrove.co.uk/www.faber.co.uk/academy

20th August, Glyndebourne Opera: Billy Budd, Somerset House. Billy Budd is a 1951 all-male opera set to music by Benjamin Britten, with a libretto co-written by E. M. Forster. Based on Herman Melville’s allegorical tale about the battle between pure good and blind evil, the opera takes place amidships on a British man-o’-war. MichaelGrandage, the Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse in London, directs the production, whilst Sir Mark Elder returns to conduct the London Philharmonic Orchestra and The Glyndebourne Chorus. See: www.somersethouse.org.uk/

27th – 28th August, Dance Festival, Victoria Park. Three giants of live music, Cream, Goldenvoice and Loudsound, have joined forces to create what is destined to become one of London’s most exciting outdoor electronic dance festivals. Pooling their collective resources they have secured exclusive London performances from the mighty David Guetta, and legendary pioneers of electronica Leftfield as well as an array of special guest appearances from a phenomenally diverse range of dance music’s most exciting acts. For more information visit www.ledfestival.net

6th – 12th September, Greenwich Comedy Festival, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich. This September London’s biggest ever comedy festival returns with another bumper crop of the best names in comedy and cabaret. The 2010 festival is set to top its triumphant first year as the beautiful grounds of the Old Royal Naval College make way for three fantastic venues including a world-famous Spiegel Tent and the spectacular, illuminated Fountain Bar, a stage constructed around one of the venue’s magnificent fountains. Hilarious headliners, hot new talents, the Silent Disco and more. See: www.greenwichcomedyfestival.co.uk

9th – 12th September, Bestival, Robin Hood Park, Isle of Wight. Londoners hungry to prolong the red hot summer will descend on the Isle of Wight for a line-up that sees The Prodigy, Dizzee Rascal, Flaming Lips, Roxy Music, Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem and Fever Ray. Our eyes are on the Comedy Tent; this year it’s packed with the best in verbal wordplay. See: www.bestival.net.

Events

Small Wonder: THE Short Story Festival

23rd-26th September, Charleston, Firles, Lewes, East Sussex

We’re always glad to see people praising and encouraging the (often underappreciated) art that is the short story. Therefore we’re very pleased to see Small Wonder -the only festival in the UK devoted to the short story form -  not only thriving, but going into it’s seventh year this September.

Small Wonder: THE Short Story Festival is running this year between 23rd-26th September and promises that it will go “digital, interactive, dramatic, musical, cinematic, classical and contemporary’ in their search for the ‘essential’ short story, all from the best practioners of the art. The impressive and varied line-up includes A.S. Byatt, Alain de Botton, Joseph O’Connor, Patrick Gale, Alexel Sayle and Salley Vickers. There  are also talks on D.H. Lawrence, cutting edge New York fiction and the tradition of the Irish short story; a creative writing workshop; family events and a special screening of Tom Ford’s acclaimed film, A Single Man, and more. There will also be the opportunity to sample their exclusive Small Wonder beer.

If this all sounds rather intriguing, then head on over to www.charleston.org.uk/smallwonder to have a look at the full programme and to book tickets.

LITRO – JUNE EVENTS

Frights, festivals, flamenco and fiction pull the punches during June´s events, bringing inspiration in the loom of austerity, edited by Alex James

1^st – 6^th June, King´s Head Theatre, Upper Street.
The European Arts Company invites you on a trip down the smoggy, gaslit alleyways of Victorian London to hear ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde’. Set in a tavern in 1888, a versatile ensemble cast will re-enact this classic tale using only the things you would find in a pub. See: www.kingsheadtheatre.org

7th June, The Orange Prize For Fiction, Southbank Centre.
The Southbank Centre will host a series of events in June celebrating the 2010 Orange Prize for Fiction. As the prize reaches its 15th birthday, co-founder Kate Mosse, will host an evening of discussion with previous judges on the prize’s impact and vision for the future on Monday 7th June. The following day will see the return of the incredibly popular Orange Prize Shortlist Readings at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. For more information visit www.orangeprize.co.uk

11^th – 13^th June 2010, Toast, Clapham Common.
All things Antipodean, from barbies to books … Inspired by the culture of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, the Toast festival takes place from Friday 11th June to Sunday 13th June, with each day celebrating a different culture. It is the largest celebration of the Southern hemisphere within the UK. For further information visit www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/toast/2010

12^th – 13^th June, Open Squares Weekend, various parts of London.
Peer behind the walls of London’s private community gardens and squares. Ranging from the historically memorable to the small and quirky, from the contemporary and eco-friendly to renowned roof gardens, cemeteries and working allotments. See: www.opensquares.org

13^th June, Coin Street Festival, South Bank.
Events take place in and around Bernie Spain Gardens, adjacent to the Oxo Tower Wharf. All events are free.  The festival kicks off with Celebrating Sanctuary on Sunday 13^th June.  Celebrating the start of International Refugee Week, the festival features music, dance, spoken word, food, drink and craft from cultures around the world. For more information visit http://www.coinstreet.org/coinstreet_festival.aspx

19^th June, Festival Brazil, Southbank Centre.
Bringing the vibrant, dynamic culture of contemporary Brazil to the heart of London, Festival Brazil celebrates the country’s rich cultural heritage – including music, visual arts, dance, literature, debates and food. See: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/festivals-series/festival-brazil

19^th – 27^th June, Kew Music Festival.
World-famous violinist Nicola Benedetti and actress Juliet Stevenson are among the outstanding artists who will star in the first ever Kew Music Festival. Audiences will be given the rare opportunity to see these top-class acts perform in stunning and historic venues during this exciting nine-day festival, which runs from 19th to 27th June 2010. For more information about performances, artists and booking, please visit www.kewmusicfestival.com

24^th June – 4^th July, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival 2010 – OutfortheElements – EARTH.
The second of four annual festivals inspired by the elements, the 2010 Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF) has become one of Europe’s foremost international arts festivals. The Festival’s free programme includes outdoor spectacle, fresh and original contemporary theatre, dance in unusual settings, interactive experiences and participatory events. Ties in with a season of light shows at the Greenwich Royal Observatory. See: www.festival.org

24^th June – 4^th July, The Holloway Arts Festival, North London.
The Holloway Arts Festival returns this year with its most exciting and varied programme yet. From Highgate to Highbury and Tufnell Park to Finsbury Park, the festival brings a range of events to North London, including music, spoken word, visual arts, crafts, theatre and comedy. For more information visit www.hollowayartsfestival.co.uk

29^th June – 3^rd July, Flamenco Festival, Islington.
Following its première in 2009, legendary flamenco guitarist Paco Peña returns to Sadler’s Wells with his latest show ‘Flamenco sin Fronteras’. Inspired by the diverse sights, sounds and cultures of Latin America, the show sees the Flamenco maestro work with 12 virtuoso musicians, singers and dancers from his own company and guest artists from Venezuela. See: www.sadlerswells.com

JUNE EVENTS

Frights, festivals, flamenco and fiction pull the punches during June´s events, bringing inspiration in the loom of austerity, edited by Alex James.

1^st – 6^th June, King´s Head Theatre, Upper Street.
The European Arts Company invites you on a trip down the smoggy, gaslit alleyways of Victorian London to hear ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde’.  Set in a tavern in 1888, a versatile ensemble cast will re-enact this classic tale using only the things you would find in a pub. See: www.kingsheadtheatre.org

7th June, The Orange Prize For Fiction, Southbank Centre.
The Southbank Centre will host a series of events in June celebrating the 2010 Orange Prize for Fiction. As the prize reaches its 15th birthday, co-founder Kate Mosse, will host an evening of discussion with previous judges on the prize’s impact and vision for the future on Monday 7th June. The following day will see the return of the incredibly popular Orange Prize Shortlist Readings at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. For more information visit www.orangeprize.co.uk

11^th – 13^th June 2010, Toast, Clapham Common.
All things Antipodean, from barbies to books … Inspired by the culture of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, the Toast festival takes place from Friday 11th June to Sunday 13th June, with each day celebrating a different culture. It is the largest celebration of the Southern hemisphere within the UK. For further information visit www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/toast/2010

11th June & 25th June, High Tease, Brighton (11th) and Bath (25th)

The Ministry of Burlesque’s risqué revue, featuring showgirls, comic cabaret and song. Dress up in your finest, dandiest get up for events in Brighton and then Bath this June. See www.komedia.co.uk for both venues.

12^th – 13^th June, Open Squares Weekend, various parts of London.
Peer behind the walls of London’s private community gardens and squares. Ranging from the historically memorable to the small and quirky, from the contemporary and eco-friendly to renowned roof gardens, cemeteries and working allotments. See: www.opensquares.org

13^th June, Coin Street Festival, South Bank.
Events take place in and around Bernie Spain Gardens, adjacent to the Oxo Tower Wharf. All events are free.  The festival kicks off with Celebrating Sanctuary on Sunday 13^th June.  Celebrating the start of International Refugee Week, the festival features music, dance, spoken word, food, drink and craft from cultures around the world. For more information visit http://www.coinstreet.org/coinstreet_festival.aspx

19^th June, Festival Brazil, Southbank Centre.
Bringing the vibrant, dynamic culture of contemporary Brazil to the heart of London, Festival Brazil celebrates the country’s rich cultural heritage – including music, visual arts, dance, literature, debates and food. See: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/festivals-series/festival-brazil

19^th – 27^th June, Kew Music Festival.
World-famous violinist Nicola Benedetti and actress Juliet Stevenson are among the outstanding artists who will star in the first ever Kew Music Festival. Audiences will be given the rare opportunity to see these top-class acts perform in stunning and historic venues during this exciting nine-day festival, which runs from 19th to 27th June 2010. For more information about performances, artists and booking, please visit www.kewmusicfestival.com

24^th June – 4^th July, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival 2010 – OutfortheElements – EARTH.
The second of four annual festivals inspired by the elements, the 2010 Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF) has become one of Europe’s foremost international arts festivals. The Festival’s free programme includes outdoor spectacle, fresh and original contemporary theatre, dance in unusual settings, interactive experiences and participatory events. Ties in with a season of light shows at the Greenwich Royal Observatory. See: www.festival.org

24^th June – 4^th July, The Holloway Arts Festival, North London.
The Holloway Arts Festival returns this year with its most exciting and varied programme yet. From Highgate to Highbury and Tufnell Park to Finsbury Park, the festival brings a range of events to North London, including music, spoken word, visual arts, crafts, theatre and comedy. For more information visit www.hollowayartsfestival.co.uk

29^th June – 3^rd July, Flamenco Festival, Islington.
Following its première in 2009, legendary flamenco guitarist Paco Peña returns to Sadler’s Wells with his latest show ‘Flamenco sin Fronteras’. Inspired by the diverse sights, sounds and cultures of Latin America, the show sees the Flamenco maestro work with 12 virtuoso musicians, singers and dancers from his own company and guest artists from Venezuela. See: www.sadlerswells.com