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Events Listings: Sept 2011

From the latest comics to undiscovered classics, new musicals and plays to retro boat parties, there’s plenty to do this month. You might think the festival season is over, but we’ve got literary and fashion weekends to delight you, as well as Bankside’s eclectic Merge Festival – so pack away that parka and  stave off the end of summer with Litro’s pick of September’s events, edited by Alex James.

2 to 4 September: The Vintage Fete, ‘Village Green’ at Foyles, Southbank, FREE

Celebrate 21 years of Vintage Books with a colourful weekend of circus performers, creative workshops, games and fun for book lovers of all ages. Authors appearing at the Vintage Fete include Guardian cartoonist Posy Simmonds, acclaimed food writer and urban gardener JoJo Tulloh and Rob Eastaway, author of Maths for Mums and Dads. The event is free and unticketed, no need to book. See: www.vintage-books.co.uk/events/

2 to 7 September, 4pm and 8pm: Carnival the Musical, Cockpit/Tabernacle, £6-12

Capturing the heart and soul of Notting Hill Carnival: a reluctant Carnival Queen dreams of escaping her elaborate costume and dancing through the crowds. When her world collides with a street smart hoodie, together they must dodge gangsters and seek help from Rampage DJ’s, Calypso Monarchs, and international superstars, before discovering the true meaning of Carnival – freedom. The piece premieres with five performances at The Cockpit Theatre between 2-4 September (4pm and 8pm), and then Tabernacle on 6 and 7 September (8pm). See: www.thecockpit.org.uk/show/carnival_-_the_musical

6 to 11 September, 7.30: Kiss, White Bear Theatre Kennington, prices vary

Kiss is a new play by Peter Brook Award winner Ritchie Smith. It’s you, though it might have been somebody else. You’re happy enough. Aren’t you? The long-term partner, the place to live. Then one day you meet somebody new … who turns your world upside down. And then? Then you’re in a clinic waiting for the results of your HIV test. See: www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk

10 September, 8pm: SS Atlantica, The Silver Sturgeon, Savoy Pier, £20

Prepare to step back in time as we revisit the thirties! As the sun sets over St Katharine Docks, arrive draped in your best ‘at sea formal wear’ to celebrate the event’s maiden voyage. Dance the night away immersed in decadent glamour and fine entertainment. Curving balustrades and portholes encircle an immense dance floor, lined by round tables dressed with pristine white tablecloths. Classic deck games like shuffleboard and dominoes will be on hand for those tired of dancing, while gamblers can try their hand at the roulette table. Entertainment is provided by London’s finest live bands, singers, dancers and cabaret acts, all performing in the style of the era. To book call 0207 724 1617 or see: www.ssatlantica.com

11 to 13 September: Hampstead & Highgate Literary Festival, Hampstead, £7 upwards

Join Raymond Blanc, Esther Freud, Peter Snow, Diana Athill, Martin Sixsmith, Nicholas Parsons, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Andrew Morton, Daisy Waugh, Alan Hollinghurst, Sarah Brown and many more authors and speakers at Ivy House. This year there are also workshops on offer in creative writing, poetry, genealogy, playwriting, food writing and how to get published. Book for 5 individual events priced at £7, across the three days of the Festival, and save £5. Call 020 8511 7900 to take advantage of this offer which cannot be activated online. See: www.hamhighlitfest.com

13 September to 22 October at 7pm: Constance, King’s Head Theatre Pub, £15-22.50

Olivier Award Winning company Good Night Out Presents will stage the world premiere of the only unproduced Oscar Wilde play, Constance, a drama of class and morals written after his exile and disgrace. See: www.kingsheadtheatre.com

15 September to 31 October: Merge Festival, various Bankside locations, prices vary

The Merge festival will bring together artists and performers in experimental partnerships in unusual venues and situations which draw on Bankside’s rich heritage, local identity and contemporary culture. Through a series of exhibitions, performances, events and happenings, Merge will bring art, music and theatre to Bankside. For more information contact Louise Errington on 020 7928 3998 or see: www.betterbankside.co.uk

18 September, 11am onwards: Comic Expo Ealing, Ramada Hotel, Ealing, £3

In  association with Tripwire, Forbidden Planet and Ace, Comic Expo presents many prestigious guests from the world of comics including a very special DC Launch signing with Paul Cornell. See: www.fantasyevents.org

22 to 25 September: Vodafone London Fashion Weekend 2011, Somerset House

A must for anyone wanting to catch a piece of the London Fashion Week action. Buy from designer brands, such as Jaeger London, Alex Monroe and French Sole, and boutiques such as KJ’s Laundry, Designer Studio and Winter Kate who will sell pieces at up to 70% off. Check out the Vintage Comes to Fashion Weekend area by Wayne Hemingway, The Weekend Boutique and a dedicated area for Menswear. Also, Toni & Guy and Elizabeth Arden will be on hand to give tips on the season’s hottest hair and make-up trends. Contact Liv Newiss on 0207 886 3070 or liv.newiss@single-market.co.uk

23 to 25 September: Soho Literary Festival, The Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street

Soho has always been London’s Bohemia, around which staggered an impossibly talented herd of drunken and promiscuous artists, actors, writers and musicians. So it’s the ideal place in central London to hold a literary festival. Starting at 7.30pm on Friday 23rd, the programme will cover a wide spectrum of literature and the arts as well as writing workshops and cabaret evenings. See: www.soholitfest.com

25 September, 3pm: Storytails, The Drop, Stoke Newington, FREE

The Sunday afternoon literary event returns in September with readings of short stories and novel extracts from up and coming London authors you’ll wonder why you haven’t heard of. The vibe is relaxed and entry is free, so just turn up and enjoy. See: www.storytails.org

27 September, 8pm: Fitzrovia Radio Hour at the Royal Albert Hall, £13.50

After a hit run in London’s West End, a sensational national tour and a triumphant return to the Edinburgh Fringe, The Fitzrovia Radio Hour comes to the Royal Albert Hall! Step into the 1940s as a company of stiff-upper-lipped actors presents retro radio comedy for the new Millennium. “Deliciously un-PC … A collision of comedy heritage”★★★★ The Independent. See www.fitzroviaradio.co.uk

Events Listings: July/August 2011

From opera for beggars to dance for Latin-lovers, via festivals, comedy, Prohibition, classic film, free theatre and live literature, let the sunshine in with Litro’s summer listings, compiled by Alex James.

JULY

Until 23^rd July: The Beggars’ Opera, Regents Park Open Air Theatre, £17-44.
A musical comedy of highwaymen, hangmen and harlots comes to the Open Air Theatre this summer. Join Macheath and his partners in crime in John Gay’s ageless comic opera. See: openairtheatre.com

1^st to 2^nd July: Hop on The Farm, Kent, prices vary.
A stunning lineup of literary and music genius – including headliners the Eagles and Morrissey alongside the likes of Iggy & The Stooges, Bryan Ferry, Newton Faulkner and Brandon Flowers, this event offers a relaxed vibe set against the stunning backdrop of the Hop Farm Country Park in Kent. It’s run by former Mean Fiddler (Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury etc) chief Vince Power and came about after festival fans became disillusioned with the mainstream events. See: hopfarmfestival.com

2^nd July: Velvet Lounge, secret private venue, Dalston, see website for prices.
The Baron Von Sanderson invites you for one night only to “The Velvet Lounge” a night of easy listening, champagne cocktails and live beat poetry. This is a one off pop up eventt, dedicated to the easier face of 60′s pop music encompassing sounds from Burt Bacharach to Jimmy Webb via the swinging sounds of the French Ye Ye beat.  Ladies put on those maxi dresses and diamanté, boys take that velvet suit to the cleaners. Throw your car keys into the onyx ashtray and swing like it’s 1968, but don’t tell your parents. See: diefrechemuse.co.uk

7^th July: Between the Lines – Bill Harry Mersey Beat 50th Anniversary, O2 Bubble.
A special evening is in store as Mersey Beat creator Bill Harry recounts the beginnings of Mersey Sound magazine and how it helped shaped rock journalism 50 years ago. Liverpool legend and childhood friend of John Lennon, Bill Harry was the creator of Mersey Beat, the hugely influential and significant music paper of the 1960′s. Launched in 1961, Mersey Beat focused on the booming Liverpool scene and successfully built relationships with the Mersey bands, especially the Beatles. See: theo2.co.uk

12^th to 16^th July: Slapdash at the Old Vic Tunnels, London, £11/6.
Slapdash is London’s festival of impro, featuring 15 of the country’s best improvisation groups in a weeklong celebration of the spontaneous. Sometimes funny, sometimes touching and always totally unpredictable, impro is theatrical alchemy. Each night, three groups show off their individual styles, before coming together at the end of the evening for the infamous Slapdash Jam! See: slapdashfestival.co.uk

14^th to 17^th July: Latitude Festival, Henham Park, Southwold, prices vary.
Latitude offers an amazing line-up of the best in music, literature, film, theatre, cabaret and comedy as ever, including Paolo Nutini, Suede, Eels, Omid Djalili, Duckie, Ralph Fiennes, Tim Key, and the intriguingly named Modern Toss Activity Centre in Pandora’s Playground. Bust out your bikini, don’t forget your wellies, and head to Suffolk. See: latitudefestival.co.uk

15^th to 24^th July: Shoreditch Festival, Regent’s Canal and surrounding spaces.
Shoreditch Festival is an annual highlight of the East London cultural calendar that celebrates the network of canals linking communities from Shoreditch and beyond through to the Olympic Park. The festival will bring to life the waterside with film screenings, live music, dance performances, art commissions, fashion, literature and spoken word, health hubs, theatre shows, heritage trails, podcast expeditions, food markets and plenty more. See: shoreditchfestival.org.uk

23^rd July: Prohibition, Grand Hall, Euston, £15.
Prepare to step back in time as we revisit the roaring twenties! Swigging cunningly concealed cocktails and contraband liquor from teacups is the order of the day as we strive to evade the ever-beady eye of the law and indulge in a spot of illegal drinking, gambling and Charleston dancing. Live bands and cabaret acts are at hand to entertain even the most particular of cads and good time girls. See: prohibition1920s.com

21^st to 24^th July: Port Eliot Literary Festival, Port Eliot, Cornwall, £35 to £140.
One of the most beautiful literary festivals in the world, Port Eliot is a weekend in Cornwall with a varied line-up of big names in music, fashion, food, film and literature. The open-air cinema is curated by Martin Scorsese, and includes classics The Red Shoes and The Leopard. Music comes from the likes of British Sea Power  and Hannah Peel; the word line-up features John Cooper Clarke and Hanif Kureishi. The Idler Academy is organised by Tom Hodgkinson, and includes a playwriting class from Jerusalem author Jez Butterworth. See: porteliotfestival.com

JULY & AUGUST

All July to September: Rooftop Film Club, Queen of Hoxton, £10.
An exciting outdoor film experience showing classic, cult and recent film releases on the rooftop of the Queen of Hoxton. Our big screen, wireless headphones and comfy chairs will mean you can sit back, relax and experience film like never before in this completely unique urban environment, until September, five nights a week. For full film listings, tickets and further information see: thequeenofhoxton.co.uk

2^nd July to 5^th August: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, St Paul’s Churchyard, £15/10.
A promenade production of Shakespeare’s magic-and-faeries romantic comedy. See: actorschurch.org or iristheatre.com

27^th July to 7^th August: Film 4 Summer Screen, Somerset House, £16-20.
Taking over the big screen at Somerset House again for July and August 2011, the Film 4 Summer Screen series brings a variety of classics and brand new films to audiences in the capital. The enormous open air screen takes up the whole of the fountain square in front of the Somerset House facade, and shows an inspired range of movies with something to please everyone. DJs will also be playing some of the best in new music, plus there are behind the screen talks hosted by BAFTA. See: somersethouse.org.uk/film

AUGUST

2^nd to 6^th August: Great British Beer Festival, Earls Court, £6-23.
Get some yeasty culture at this annual Beer Festival, and sup the UK’s finest ales from small breweries to some of Britain’s best-known beers. See: gbbf.camra.org.uk/home

3^rd August, 7.30pm : YARN presents The Special Relationship, Concrete Bar, Shoreditch, £5.
The Special Relationship literary variety night features turns from regulars Jarred McGinnis and Sam Taradash, plus guests Nii Ayikwei Parkes and award-winning cartoonist Harry Venning, who will be teaching audience memebers … well, how to be a cartoonist. See: yarnfest.com

4^th August to 4^th September: Free Theatre at The Scoop, South Bank, FREE.
Get your thesp on at The Scoop throughout August 2011 when both kids’ and adults’ shows are put on every week, including Brecht’s The Mother and Around the World in 80 Days. Lucky theatre-loving Londoners can catch free shows at The Scoop as part of the More London Free Festival. See: morelondon.co.uk/scoop.html

19^th to 29^th August: London Latin Festival, various venues and prices.
Celebrate the passion and excitement of Latin dance at this ten-day festival, featuring everything from salsa to bachata, via Latin Hustle and Zouk-Kizomba-Lambada … See: thelondonlatinfest.com

28^th August: 3pm, Storytails, The Drop, Stoke Newington, FREE.
The Sunday afternoon literary event returns in August with readings of short stories and novel extracts from up and coming London authors you’ll wonder why you haven’t heard of. The vibe is relaxed and entry is free, so just turn up and enjoy. See: storytails.org