What’s on
Compiled by Robina CowanAll details are as provided when going to press. However, in case of changed plans, do double-check before setting out.
HALF TERM CAMPS
Perform: Rapunzel
Venues in Dulwich, Blackheath, Herne Hill and Beckenham www.perform.org.uk/rapunzel
3-5 April & 8-10 April
Three days of drama, dance and singing, plus lots of games and activities leading to a magical mini performance for family and friends. Ages 4-10.
Funky Monkey Keyboard Workshops
Various locations www.funkymonkey.info
8-12 April
Learn electronic keyboard techniques, try some famous tunes and play musical games and quizzes, all with an Easter theme. Choose from half day beginner’s workshops or a five day holiday course, in small classes with all equipment provided. Ages 5-9.
Global Camps
Kelvin Grove School SE26 6BB www.globalcamps.co.uk
2-5 and 8-12 April
A unique mix of language learning, sports coaching, arts & crafts and outdoor adventure to keep young ones active and engaged during all school holidays. Ages 4-12.
SCHOOL OPEN DAYS
Blackheath High School www.blackheathhighschool.gdst.
net
14 March
Junior School in Action
9am to 11.30am
25 April
Senior School in Action 9am to 11.30am
Dulwich Prep School www.dulwichpreplondon.org.uk
Tours are available weekly. Please enquire with the school for details.
Sydenham High School www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.
net
12 March
Prep School Open Morning
9.30am to 11am
21 March
Senior School Open Morning 9.30am to 11am
SPECIAL EVENTS
The Art of the Brick
The Boiler House E1 6QL www.theartofthebrickexpo.com
From 6 March
Artist Nathan Sawaya has created over 150 works of art from more
than a million LEGO bricks. The collection includes re-imagined art masterpieces, a 6-metre-long reproduction of a T-Rex skeleton, along with music and multimedia imagery.
Telegraph Hill Festival
In and around SE14 www.telegraphhillfestival.org.uk
9-24 March
A two week long festival of talent and events featuring local artists, performers, groups and organisations through open studios, shows, crafts and more.
Deptford Literature Festival
Deptford Lounge Giffin Street SE8 4RJ www.spreadtheword.org.uk
15 & 16 March
A celebration of the diversity and creativity of Deptford and Lewisham through words, stories and performance. The programme includes FREE, family friendly events including FREE writing workshops for young adults.
Centre for Wildlife Gardening
Marsden Road SE15 4EE www.wildlondon.org.uk
23 March
Pond Life
A FREE family fun day discovering life in and around ponds, for Southwark residents. Book first.
4 & 5 April
Brilliant Birds
FREE family courses discovering birds. For Southwark residents, book first.
Where’s Wally Fun Run
Battersea Park SW11 www.literacytrust.org.uk/ whereswally
24 March
A race like no other and a sight to behold as a sea of Wallys takes on a 10km, 5km or a 1km challenge in one of London’s most scenic parks. All money raised supports the vital work of the National Literacy Trust.
Herne Hill Velodrome
Burbage Road SE24 9HE http://tinyurl.com/yys5fu8r
29 March
Easter Eggs-travaganza
A scavenger hunt through mountain bike trials with tasty chocolate rewards, Frog Bikes goody bags plus face and egg painting. Ages 2-10, book first.
Brixton Windmill
Blenheim Gardens SW2 5DA www.brixtonwindmill.org
31 March
Easter Family Day
An Easter treasure hunt for children, plus craft workshops and guided tours.
Mum2mum Market
Various venues
www.mum2mummarket.co.uk
Nearly new baby and children’s clothes, toys, books and baby equipment.
23 March in Bromley
Peckham Levels
Rye Lane SE15 4ST
www.peckhamlevels.org
Sundays
The Kids’ Table
The Kids’ Table is a pop-up children’s corner service that provides supervised crafts, games and creative table-top fun while parents enjoy some ‘me’ time. Ages 3-10, FREE.
Horrible Histories Terrible Thames Boat Tour www.terribletudors.com
Check the website for dates
Horrible Histories proudly presents its wicked river tour of the Terrible Thames. tremble in terror at the Tower! Sizzle at the Savoy! Give Cleopatra the needle! Be washed away at Westminster! Lose yourself in Lambeth! Get gobsmacked by the Globe! Hold onto your head at London Bridge and escape from Execution Dock! Take a dive with Horrible Histories into the stories of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Julius Caesar, Queen Boudicca, Jack the Ripper and Captain Kidd, in this history of the Thames with the nasty bits left in!
THEATRE & SHOWS
Blackheath Halls Lee Road SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com
12 April
Goldilocks
The classic children’s story, performed as a magical live ballet by Let’s All Dance. All ages.
13 April
The Witch and The Egg
One performer and a flock of shadow puppets tell an engaging and heart-warming story about friendship, laughter and flying the nest. Inspired by the book The Witch’s Egg by Madeleine Edmondson. Ages 3+.
20 & 21 April
Spot’s Birthday Party
Join the best birthday party ever in this brand new show with songs and music, party hats, songs, dancing and interactive games. Ages 2+.
Bromley Churchill Theatre
High Street Bromley BR1 1HA www.churchilltheatre.co.uk
19-23 March
Life of Pi
A cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, stranding five survivors: a hyena, a zebra, an orang-utan, a sixteen-year-old boy and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. With time against them, who will survive this epic journey of endurance and hope?
6 April
Don’t Panic! We Can Save the Planet
James Campbell’s new live comedy show is perfect for anyone who wants to swap being an Eco Worrier for being an Eco Warrior, with solutions for parents to manage their children’s concerns. Ages 6-11.
21 April
Science Museum - The Live Show Explosive family theatre for curious minds.
Greenwich Theatre Crooms Hill SE10 8ES www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk
3 & 4 April
The Singing Mermaid
The singing mermaid is tempted away to join a travelling circus, with the promise of a life of excitement. See Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ story onstage with puppets, music and songs. Ages 3-8.
The Albany Douglas Way SE8 4AG www.thealbany.org.uk
16 March
Boxed In
Follow the journey of someone who can’t make head nor tail of the unspoken rules that surround us all. Ages 3-6.
11 April
The Three Bears
Take along your teddies for an adventure in the woods with original music, puppets and a tale you thought you knew. Ages 0-6.
Sydenham Centre
Sydenham Road SE26 5QX www.spontaneousproductions. co.uk
Weekends 2-24 March
Hansel & Gretel
A new musical version of the classic fairytale featuring a house of sweets, video effects and animation, Hansel, Gretel and the witch Wilma Wonky.
Unicorn Theatre
Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com
17 March-21 April
The Odyssey
You’ve heard of Odysseus, but this is an entirely different story… meet his adventurous son Telemachus, who can’t wait any longer for his dad to return and sets sail on a really, really, really long journey on stormy seas and across strange lands! Be enchanted by the 60s soul and pop-inspired numbers.
22 March-21 April
I Wish
In many a fairy-story there are wishes granted and fairy-tale endings: but what if your wishes come true in surprising ways? This fantastical tale is filled with songs, self-discovery and joy. Ages 3-7.
Peacock Theatre
Portugal Street WC2A 2HT www.ballet.org.uk/myfirstballet
4-13 April
My First Ballet: Swan Lake
The magician Rothbart has turned Princess Odette into a swan: only at night can she return to human form. Will Prince Siegfried be able to save her, or will he fall for Rothbart’s sorcery? With a narrator to help young viewers follow the story, a shortened version of Tchaikovsky’s wonderful music, beautiful dancing and gorgeous costumes, this is the perfect introduction to the joy of live ballet. Ages 3+.
Picturehouse Cinemas
West Norwood, Greenwich, East Dulwich and Bromley www.picturehouses.com
Sit back and enjoy a big-screen film in a cinema that welcomes families. Sessions include Watch with Baby, Toddler Time, Autism-friendly and a weekly Kids Club.
Bach to Baby
Various dates and venues www.bachtobaby.com
Critically-acclaimed classical concerts for babies and their grownups. Outstanding musicians put on exhilarating performances where babies can ‘join in’ with as much noise as they like!
Bring Your Own Baby Comedy Greenwich, Crystal Palace, East Dulwich and Bromley www.byobcomedy.com
Various dates
A funny, friendly afternoon of top comedy, where baby can come too and join in with the rumpus. Shows feature a new line up of comedians each month with two acts plus a compere. Ages: grown-ups plus under 12 months.
Little Angel Theatre
Dagmar Passage N1 2DN www.littleangeltheatre.com
Until 14 April
The Everywhere Bear
One day the Everywhere Bear gets more than he bargained for when he falls unnoticed from a backpack and embarks on his own adventure. Rhyme and original music bring to life Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb’s book . Ages 3-8.
Puppet Theatre Barge Blomfield Road W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com
2-24 March
The Insect Circus
Forget reality and become immersed in the strange and beautiful world of the Insect Circus, performed by puppet beetles and grasshoppers, wasps and dragonflies. Ages 4+.
MUSEUMS & MONUMENTS
Cutty Sark
King William Walk SE10 9HT www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark
First weekend of every month
Family Fun Weekends
Climb aboard for family-friendly workshops and activities for all ages.
Weekends and holiday weekdays
Meet the Characters
Meet the captain, chat with the cook, and take a tour with Nannie the Figurehead!
Horniman Museum and Gardens London Road SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk
Until 3 November
Dinosaur rEvolution
Which dino features are better – horns, spikes or quills? Did T-rex actually have feathers? And how did some dinosaurs survive extinction? Find out through animatronic models, fossil skeletons and skulls, dress up, games and more.
From 5 May
Under the Sea Soft Play Slide, balance, climb and bounce at a brand new aquarium-themed play area among netted play frames, bubbling ball ponds, fish shaped rockers and soft toys. Ages 6 and under.
Woolwich Works
The Fireworks Factory SE18 6HD www.woolwich.works
10 March
Flower Power Family Rave Groovy, man! Dress up and enjoy a Flower Power themed Mother’s Day rave filled with banging dance tunes and DJs, bubbles, foam and craft tables. Families with under 8s.
National Maritime Museum Romney Road, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/nationalmaritime-museum
2 March-1 December
Women of the RNLI
An exhibition highlighting the work
and success of women in a variety of roles to celebrate the bicentenary of the RNLI.
Royal Observatory Greenwich
Blackheath Avenue SE10 8XJ www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory
8-17 March
British Science Week
A jam-packed programme of events including behind-thescenes collections, hands-on workshops and the chance to meet astronomers and curators.
Weekends and holiday weekdays
Ted’s Space Adventure
Explore the solar system with a bear named Ted, learning about the things we find there and how they affect us. Ages 3-7.
Somerset House Strand WC2R 1LA www.somersethouse.org.uk
Until 14 April
Cute
The influential culture of cute, featuring kittens and cats, doe-eyed animals, chubby-cheeked babies and flowers, depicted by numerous loans, new installations, memes and music.
Young V&A
Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA www.vam.ac.uk/young
Until 8 September
Japan: Myths to Manga
Take an exciting and atmospheric trip through Japanese history, exploring how landscape and folklore have influenced Japan’s culture, technology, art and design.
National Portrait Gallery St Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE www.npg.org.uk
20 March and 17 April
Little Explorers
Free monthly sessions where families explore the gallery and the collection through stories, songs and making activities in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Under 5s.
Tate Modern Bankside SE1 9TG www.tate.org.uk/visit/tatemodern
Until 28 April
Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms
Step into a large immersive installation to experience Kusama’s unique vision of endless reflections.
The Design Museum
Kensington High Street W8 6AG www.designmuseum.org
Ongoing
Skateboard
The first major UK exhibition to map the design evolution of the skateboard from the 1950s to today – a story of design, daring and disobedience.
Science Museum
Exhibition Road SW7 2DD www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
Power Up
Enjoy playtime at the museum’s hugely popular hands-on video gaming zone, featuring over 160 consoles and hundreds of video games dating back through five decades of gaming.
Ongoing
Turn It Up: The Power of Music
Discover your inner music-maker while learning about the science behind music, how technology is changing the way it is made and enjoyed and how music can impact the way we live our lives.
Museum of London Docklands West India Quay E14 4AL www.museumoflondon.org.uk/ docklands
Until 14 April
Fashion City
Discover the stories behind London’s leading Jewish fashion makers who founded retail chains still on the high street today, and dressed the rich and famous; including David Bowie, Princess Diana and Mick Jagger.
Frameless
6 Marble Arch, W1A 7AP www.frameless.com
Ongoing
Frameless Tots
NEW, dedicated family sessions every weekday morning (11am12pm) during term time at a reduced ticket price for parent +pre-school child, offering an opportunity for parents and little ones to explore Frameless together.
South East
. Please say you saw these events in Families South East London magazine!
www.globalcamps.co.uk
