JULY
Highlights
Africa Utopia Africa Utopia is an annual festival celebrating the arts and culture of one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-changing continents. Championed by Senegalese singer and human rights advocate Baaba Maal, the annual programme features a range of talks, workshops, music, performances, fashion and food.
Headlining the festival in 2018 are husband and wife musical duo, Amadou & Mariam, who play from their latest album, La Confusion, and Chineke! Orchestra who present an exhilarating, jazz-infused programme. Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 July; 11.30am – 5pm. Day passes £18; weekend passes £30
Lee Bul
Julian Barnes & Peter Carey
Amadou and Mariam
OAE: Schiff’s Surprise
Hot Brown Honey
AM Homes
Exploring visionary artist Lee Bul’s extensive investigation into the body and its relationship to architectural space, this exhibition features documentation of the artist’s early performances, monstrous sculptures, immersive installations and a new commission that partially envelops Hayward Gallery’s exterior.
Sir András Schiff conducts and performs with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in magical and playful works by Haydn, including Symphony No. 94, now nicknamed the ‘Surprise’ Symphony because of its numerous musical jokes.
The literary titans discuss their passions, influences and storytelling techniques. Between them, they’ve written over 25 novels, of which three have won the Man Booker Prize. They compare notes on the creative process.
Equal parts theatrical spectacular and social activism, Hot Brown Honey is a posse of phenomenal women smashing stereotypes. They go above and beyond all expectations in a daring celebration of our similarities and differences.
Hear the husband and wife musical duo play from their latest album, La Confusion, in Royal Festival Hall. Their love affair propelled the two grandparents from Mali into music charts across the world.
In an exclusive London event, the acclaimed author reads from and discusses her new story collection Days of Awe. Her signature humour and psychological accuracy delve beneath the surface of 21stcentury America.
Daily listings Key Art Performance & dance Classical music Literature Archive studio Gigs & contemporary music Talks & topics Eat & explore There are no transaction fees for in-person bookings or Southbank Centre Members and Supporters Circles. For all other bookings transaction fees apply: £3 online; £3.50 over the phone. If you wish to receive tickets in the post, a £1 delivery charge applies. * Book free events at southbankcentre.co.uk ** For full repertoire, see southbankcentre.co.uk *** Supporter tickets include a voluntary donation of 10% of the standard admission charge, to support Southbank Centre’s work. For more information and to find out about Gift Aid, see southbankcentre.co.uk.
Sunday 1 A Child’s Guide to Brutalism
An introduction to brutalist architecture for both children and adults. 10am; Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Instagram Poetry
See the world’s first Instapoetry exhibition. 11am; National Poetry Library, Level 5,Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Stravinsky: Les Noces (in English) and Orff: Carmina Burana
London Orchestra da Camera Percussion Ensemble David Temple conductor Grace Davidson soprano Marta Fontanals-Simmons mezzosoprano Robert Murray tenor Grant Doyle baritone Peter Jaekel piano Paul Ayres piano Benjamin Frost piano William Vann piano Crouch End Festival Chorus Rhodes Avenue Primary School Choir Coldfall Primary School Choir Stravinsky Les Noces for soloists, chorus, 4 pianos & percussion (performed in English); Orff Carmina Burana 3pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12.50 – £28
Margo Jefferson & Reni EddoLodge: On Michael Jackson
Hear the two great writers discuss the pop icon. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £25
Monday 2 Dragon Babies - Gamelan for 3-5 year olds Shake, rattle and gong with your little ones.
11am; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £5 (for one child and accompanying adults)
Lambeth Musitrax Band Concert
Celebrate the music-making of the children of Lambeth in their wholeclass Musitrax programme. 1.15pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free*
Gong Babies
This relaxing music workshop is aimed at parents, carers and babies. 2pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £5 (for one baby and accompanying adult)
Lambeth Musitrax Strings Concert
Young musicians from Lambeth perform as an orchestra to celebrate a year of Musitrax provision. 5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free*
Bob Dylan Book Club
Consider the Nobel Prize-winning musician’s lyrics from throughout his storied career. 6.30pm; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
Tuesday 3 Matt Haig’s Notes on a Nervous Planet
How do we stay sane in an anxious world? In this talk, Matt Haig considers how to feel happy. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £25
Drake Calleja Trust Scholars’ Concert
See some of the most talented musicians enrolled at London conservatoires in this concert. Patron: Joseph Calleja Alexandra Vaduva piano Artur Haftman piano Harriet Eyley soprano Iosif Purits accordion Laia Braun violin Margarita Balanas cello Vitaly Pisarenko piano Debussy Petite Suite Dominick Argento Sleep Fauré Le Secret, Op.23 No.3; Après un rêve, Op.17 No.1; R Strauss Hat gesagt - bleibt’s nicht dabei, Op.36 No.3; Chopin Polonaise in A flat, Op.53; Moritz Moszkowski Caprice espagnol, Op.37 for piano; Gershwin 3 Preludes for piano; Mendelssohn Spinnerlied / The Bee’s Wedding, Op.67 No.4; Rodion Shchedrin Toccata; Beethoven Piano Trio in D, Op.70 No.1 (Ghost) 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12 – £25
Wednesday 4 OAE: Schiff’s Surprise
Sir András Schiff conducts and performs with the OAE in magical and playful works by Haydn. Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Andras Schiff conductor, piano Choir of the Enlightenment Haydn Symphony No.94 (Surprise); Piano Concerto in D, Hob.XVIII/11; Mass in B flat (Harmoniemesse) 7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £60. 6pm at Queen Elizabeth Hall: Pre-concert talk. Free
Friday 6 Rug Rhymes
A short session of nursery rhymes and poems for under-5s and their carers. 10.30am; National Poetry Library Reading Den, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Burt Bacharach Live In Concert The illustrious singer returns to the stage to perform two shows in Royal Festival Hall. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £40 – £100
Hilary Mantel & Pat Barker: Rewriting the Past
Hear from two masters of the genre about how historical fiction can shed a light on our present. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £30 – £40
Tunday Akintan
Groove to this Yorubeat pioneer’s stand-out mix of Yoruba rhythms with jazz, pop, and funk. 8pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12 – £20
Saturday 7 Eleanor Catton: The First Page
The dynamic author shares her tips in this interactive workshop. 10.30am; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £20
Howard Jacobson: Why the Novel Matters
The Man Booker Prize winner delivers a keynote lecture on the necessity of the novel. 10.30am; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free*
Alan Hollinghurst & Marlon James: Hidden Histories
Hear two devastatingly sophisticated authors discuss their fictional depictions of opposing worlds and eras. 12 noon; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £25
Ana Silvera Album Launch
Gamelan Youth Course – Summer 2018
8pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
12 noon; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £60 per term
New River Press
BBC World Book Club: Hilary Mantel
Hear the alt-folk singer perform her BASCA-nominated song cycle, Oracles.
Discover the work of the countercultural poetry publisher in this showcase. 8pm; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
Thursday 5 AM Homes in Conversation with Jeanette Winterson
Join the bracingly insightful author as she discusses her new book Days of Awe. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £25
Joseph Morpurgo: Hammerhead
An outlandishly funny multimedia adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – or is it? 7.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £18
If you’re aged 11 – 18, come and explore ensemble music-making on our Javanese gamelan.
The acclaimed author discusses her chart-topping novel Bring Up the Bodies. 1.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free*
How to Find a Literary Agent
Have all your questions answered by this panel of top literary agents. 1.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; £10
Ben Okri: The Creative Spark
The master storyteller and poet shares techniques for lighting the creative fire. 3pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £20
Eleanor Catton, Colm Tóibín & Guests: Page to Screen Join crowd-pleasing authors and film-makers as they weigh in on what makes a great adaptation. 3pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £25
Family Gamelan Taster Session
Bring your family and friends to play our Javanese gamelan percussion orchestra. 3pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £10
Anne Enright & Penelope Lively: Sex, Love & Families
Listen in as two much-loved writers discuss family dynamics, memory and desire in literature. 4.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £22
How to Get Published
Get top tips from some of the publishing world’s leading figures. 4.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; £10
Ben Okri: How to Read Like a Writer
Hear the magical realist novelist and poet discuss the creative act of reading. 6pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £25
David Grossman
Hear from the powerfully perceptive author on the relationship between humour and suffering. 6pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £22
Art Night 2018
This one-night festival curated by Hayward Gallery transforms London with new contemporary art commissions and projects. It runs from Southbank Centre to Battersea powerstation and features work by Yuan Goang-Ming and Marinella Senatore. 6pm – 6am; various locations; Free
Gamelan Taster Workshop
Get an introduction to our Javanese percussion orchestra. 6.30pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £10
Burt Bacharach Live In Concert 7.30pm; see Fri 6 Jul for more details.
Kiran Desai & Anita Desai: Writing Across Generations
See Booker Prize winner Kiran Desai in conversation with her mother, searingly insightful writer Anita Desai. 7.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £22
The English Patient Screening with Michael Ondaatje
Watch the mesmerizing adaptation of Ondaatje’s classic novel before a Q&A with the author. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Sunday 8 Genre Benders
Hear four boundary-pushing writers discuss experimentation in fiction. 11.30am; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £22
Julian Barnes & Peter Carey
The prolific writers discuss their literary passions, influences and storytelling techniques. 11.30am; Royal Festival Hall; £20 – £40
Colm Tóibín & Rachel Whiteread
Hear the spellbinding author and artist discuss their creative collaboration. 1pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £25
Kamila Shamsie: Setting the Scene
Explore the art of scene-setting in this hands-on workshop. 1pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £20
How to Edit Your Novel
Learn the tricks of the trade for editing your novel. 2.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; £10
Kazuo Ishiguro & Michael Ondaatje
Don’t miss this unprecedented unchaired talk between two legendary Booker Prize winners. 2.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £20 – £40
The Connected World
Discuss literature, belonging and identity with Kamila Shamsie, Andrew O’Hagan, and DBC Pierre. 2.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £22
Graeme Macrae Burnet: Using Your Research Learn from the best in this workshop on research and fiction. 4pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £20
Roddy Doyle & Paul Beatty: The Comic Novel Listen and laugh as these brilliantly disruptive authors discuss the challenges of writing comic novels. 4pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £25
The Future of the Novel
Explore the art form’s next horizons in this literary debate. 5.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £22
Golden Man Booker Live
Don’t miss the literary event of the year, as the winner of the Golden Man Booker is announced. 7pm; Royal Festival Hall; £20 – £40
Monday 9 Dragon Babies – Gamelan for 3 – 5 year olds 11am; see Mon 2 Jul for more details.
Debut Sounds
Hear new works by the brightest young composers. London Philharmonic Orchestra Foyle Future Firsts Members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra Sir James MacMillan conductor echo vocal ensemble The LPO brings together some of the UK’s most talented young musicians and composers for an evening exploring Gregorian chant through a thousand years of music, featuring world premieres. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £9; students £5
Carlos Barbosa-Lima Celebration of Brazilian Music
Revel in the sounds of Brazil with a performance by one of its finest guitarists and musicians. Carlos Barbosa-Lima guitar Bonfá Manhã de Carnaval; Passeio no Rio; Nazareth Carioca arr. C. Barbosa-Lima; Brejeiro; Odéon; Almeida Batuque; Villa-Lobos Melodia sentimental from Floresta do Amazonas arr. C. BarbosaLima; Prelude No.2 in E (Melody capadocia); Choro No.1; Pernambuco Sons de carrilhões arr. C. Barbosa-Lima; Interrogando arr. C.; Barbosa-Lima; Mignone Study No.5; Study No.9 (from 12 Studies for guitar); Gnattalli Alma brasileira; Vianna (Pixinguinha): Naquele Tempo arr. C. BarbosaLima; Cochichando arr. C. BarbosaLima; Um a zero; Sávio Batucada; Jobim Desafinado arr. C. BarbosaLima; One note Samba; Barroso Aquarela do Brasil 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £18
Tuesday 10 Transatlantic Rhapsodies
Listen to sublime music from both sides of the pond, performed by the Lewisham Choral Society and the Bromley Boy Singers. Dan Ludford-Thomas conductor Travis Baker conductor Nico de Villiers piano James Orford piano Krystal Tunnicliffe piano Jonathan Dove The Passing of the Year; Seek Him that Maketh the Seven Stars; Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue arr. 2 pianos; James Lark Broadside Ballads; Randall Thompson Fare well; Eric Whitacre When David Heard; Sleep 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £16 – £20
Wednesday 11 Southwark Splash Anthology
Celebrate 10 years of Southwark Splash at Southbank Centre with a remixed show of the highlights from their song and dance performances. Plus free workshops in the foyer. 1pm & 6pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £2.50 (participating schools); £5
ABBA: Super Troupers Access Tours
Come on a musical journey with Swedish pop sensation ABBA with these specially adapted tours. 5pm; Exhibition Space, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £15
Thursday 12 Tarang: The UK’s National Ensemble for Indian Music
Hear Tarang’s new sound as they debut tracks from their new album. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £12
Friday 13 Rug Rhymes 10.30am, see Fri 6 Jul for more details.
Equator Festival presents Carmen Souza
Jazz fusion singer Carmen Souza presents her new album, Creology, with longtime musical partner Theo Pascal. 6.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £13
Equator Festival presents London Tango Quartet
The London Tango Orchestra performs music from the rich repertoire of tango, old and new. 8.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £14
Saturday 14 Hunger Games in Concert – Film with Live Orchestra
Watch the wildly successful first film of the franchise with live orchestral accompaniment. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £29.50 – £75
The Braid Ensemble
The Braid Ensemble debuts emotionally charged vocal and instrumental works by composer David Braid. David Braid Light without shadows; In gentle numbers time so idly spent; So is it not with me; 3 Glass sculptures; Music to hear; That time of year; Fugue for my friends; Upon silver trees; Not from the stars; The fugue of art; She goes but softly; Is it thy will; Touch 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £20
Sunday 15 Pink Panther in Concert: Film with Live Orchestra
Watch the beloved comedy film and hear its famous score played live by a full orchestra. 3pm; Royal Festival Hall; £32.50 – £75
Troika Klezmer Kabaret
Experience a rip-roaring jazz odyssey from Odessa to Cossack Russia and 1930s Paris. Wallace Fields bandleader, piano Owen Bryce trumpet, cornet Gero Pitanza guitar Matthew Heery rhythm guitar David Luvin double bass 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £25
Monday 16 Dragon Babies – Gamelan for 3 – 5 year olds 11am; see Mon 2 Jul for more details.
Monthly Social Tea Dance
DJ Mr Wonderful guides you around the dancefloor in an afternoon for everyone. 1.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Nelson Mandela Debate
Our panel focuses on the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free*
Sci-fi & Cyborgs: A Literary Response to Lee Bul
Hear specially commissioned literary responses to our Hayward Gallery exhibition. 7.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12
Tuesday 17 Nelson Mandela: The Centenary Exhibition
Discover Mandela’s journey from freedom fighter to inspirational leader on the centenary of his birth. 4pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Edmund Waller’s Summer Celebration
A musical night celebrates a successful year of learning and growth at Edmund Waller Primary School. 7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12
Tangos for Angels and Demons
The ensemble recreates the intense and passionate sound of tango’s golden age. Tango Siempre Septet Ann Liebeck soprano Jonathan Taylor Malandras; Julian Plaza Danzarín; Julian Rowlands A tango between; Piazzolla Milonga del Angel; Los pajaros perdidos; Mario Demarco Pata ancha; Piazzolla Chiquilín de Bachín; Jonathan Taylor Straw dogs; Piazzolla Regreso al amor (Vuelvo al Sur); Pedro Laurenz Milonga de mis amores; Jonathan Taylor (a Matter of) Life and death; Piazzolla Balada para un loco; Osvaldo Pugliese La Yumba; Julian Rowlands Tango in white and black; Devilish/Diabolico; Piazzolla Balada para mi muerte; Julian Plaza Payadora 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £16 – £25
Wednesday 18 Shawn Colvin
Settle in for a special acoustic set with the three-time Grammy Award winner. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £27.50 – £37.50
Cubana Clásica – A Night at the Opera in Havana
Step into the spirit of Havana with new music by award-winning composers. Ann Liebeck soprano Marcos Madrigal piano Omar Puente violin Julian Rowlands bandoneon Ernesto Lecuona Ante el Escorial; Xavier Montsalvatage 5 Canciones negras; Ernesto Lecuona La comparsa; Gitanerias; Malagueña; 5 Canciones con versas de Juana de Ibarbourou; Yalil Guerra Seducción (UK premiere); Amor, Son de Negros de Cuba, iré a Santiago (World premiere); Fernando Otero Prima donna (UK premiere); José White Lafitte La bella Cubana; Guido López-Gavilán Un recuerdo (Congo in E minor); Omar Puente Danzón Gloria; Rodrigo Prats Romanza María Belén Chacón; Julian Rowlands New work for soprano, violin, bandoneon & piano (World premiere); Gonzalo Roig Yo soy Cecilia from Cecilia Valdéz; Carlos Gardel Por una cabeza arr. Julian Rowlands for soprano, violin, bandoneon & piano 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £16 – £25
Thursday 19 Africa Utopia Rap Party
Kick back and groove at this hiphop and poetry-infused house party, curated by Inua Ellams. 7.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10
Friday 20 Friday Tonic: Kasai Masai
Experience the traditional sounds of Congolese music with a contemporary twist.
Africa Utopia: Opening Keynote
Join us for our festival-opening keynote, exploring this year’s theme of Pan-Africanism. 11.30am; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Included in Pass
Head Wrap Bar
Share and learn different head wrap techniques at this installation exploring hair through art and poetry.
Africa Utopia Catwalk
Enjoy an energetic collaboration of fashion, music and art in this creativity-packed catwalk event. 5.15pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Africa Utopia Block Party
Bust a move and let loose at this lively block party for Africa Utopia. 6pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Amadou & Mariam
11.30am; Central Bar, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Hear the married musical duo play their latest album, La Confusion.
Mini-Making Workshop with AFRORETRO
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £22 – £27
Get crafty and colourful with African fabrics at a textiles workshop open to all levels. For age 5+ (all children must be accompanied by an adult). 12 noon, The Clore Ballroom, Level 2 & Blue Bar Level 4, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Black in the Day Archive
Make your story history by adding your own snapshots to a digital archive of black British life. 12 noon; Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Pop-Up Performances
Immerse yourself in awesome African music and dance. 12 noon; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Pan-African Literary All-Stars
Join us to celebrate some of 2018’s outstanding contemporary African literature. 1pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Included in Pass
Pidgin Through Music
Come and learn Pidgin in this Africa Utopia workshop. 1pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Included in Pass
Science Fiction Writing Workshop
Explore the possibilities of your imagination in this science fiction writing workshop led by CJ Obasi, film-maker and screenwriter of Hello Rain.
Chineke! Orchestra
Chineke! Orchestra returns to Africa Utopia in a jazz-infused programme. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £40
Presidents of Laughrica
The laughs return as the best comedians of the diaspora address the issues facing Africa. Featuring Dane Baptiste, Daliso Chaponda and Annette Fagon. 8pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
WOKE by Apphia Campbell 8pm; see Fri 20 Jul for more details.
Sunday 22 Unlock Your Ancestry Through Writing
Come to this workshop to explore how to craft a solo performance that connects with your ancestry. 11am; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £5
Africa Utopia Marketplace
Browse our festival market for the latest fashion, art, books and more. 11.30am; Green Side Foyer, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Pram Jam
The ever-popular Pram Jam returns for a session influenced by African music and dance, as part of Africa Utopia. 11.30am, The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; £5
5.30pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
1pm; Level 3 Function Room, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Included in Pass
Hello, Rain: UK Premiere
She Called Me Woman
Listen to live readings exploring what it means to be a queer Nigerian woman.
12 noon; see Sat 21 Jul; Blue Bar, Level 4, Royal Festival Hall; Free
7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
2.30pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Included in Pass
Be inspired by some of Africa’s leading cookery writers and chefs
WOKE by Apphia Campbell
Swahili Through Music
Be the first to see the short film adaption of Nnedi Okorafor’s award-winning story.
Don’t miss this award-winning theatre performance following two women’s fight for civil rights. 8pm; Blue Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £15
Saturday 21 Africa Utopia Marketplace Browse this specially curated festival market for the latest fashion, art, books and more.
11.30am; Green Side Foyer, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Come and learn Swahili in this Africa Utopia workshop. 2.30pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Included in Pass
United States of Africa: The Future of Pan-Africanism
Mini-Making Workshop with AFRORETRO
For the Love of... Jollof
12 noon; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Included in Pass
Poetry Meets Pan-Africanism: Africa Utopia Book Club
Discover timeless and undiscovered works of poetry from the African literary canon.
Listen and learn as this panel considers what a truly united African continent might look like.
12 noon; Level 3 Function Room, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Included in Pass
4pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Included in Pass
See a spirited solo performance by one half of the contemporary dance company.
People’s Catwalk
Show off your African-inspired street style in this open catwalk event for all ages. 4.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Alleyne Dance
12.45pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
African Contemporary Dance Workshop
Learn dynamic dance moves at an open workshop. 1.15pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, Free
I/Mages of Tomorrow: Sustaining Black Sci-Fi Futures Join a bold anti-conference that envisions black, POC, disabled, queer, trans and feminist futures. 1.30pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Included in Pass
Pan-Africanism and Me
Hear speakers reflect on how their lives have been shaped by PanAfricanism and other movements. 1.30pm; Level 3 Function Room, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Included in Pass
Passenger Seats with Chineke! Junior Orchestra Buckle up for your trip to sit centre stage with the orchestra in this immersive experience. 2.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free
Mandela & Pan-Africanism
Find out more about Nelson Mandela’s ties with Pan-Africanism in this guided walk.
Wednesday 25 The Jam Shed Supper Club
The Jam Shed Supper Club
6pm & 8.30pm; see Tue 24 Jul for more details.
6pm & 8.30pm; see Tue 24 Jul for more details.
Poetry Book Society Summer Showcase
Chorus Weekend
Enjoy exciting new voices at the poetry book club founded by TS Eliot. 7.30pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £10
Hot Brown Honey 8pm; see Tue 24 Jul for more details.
Sister Act
Get in on the Sister Act at this outdoor screening of the classic comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg (rated PG). 8.30pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Thursday 26 Heart N Soul Sundower DJ Set
Get your groove on to summer tunes at this dance party overlooking the river. 5pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
The Jam Shed Supper Club
3pm & 3.20pm; Level 3 Function Room, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Included in Pass
6pm & 8.30pm; see Tue 24 Jul for more details.
The New Radicals
Hear poems from the Endangered Poetry Project as we open our exhibition by artist Mary Kuper.
Look to the future as artists, activists and thinkers discuss what’s next for the African continent. 3pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Included in Pass
HomeBros presents: Afro Dance Championships See talented young dancers compete to Afrobeats at this electric battle event.
3.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Chineke! Junior Orchestra
Sunday 29
Language Shift Launch
7.30pm; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
Hot Brown Honey 8pm; see Tue 24 Jul for more details.
Friday 27 Chorus Weekend
Raise your voice in joy at this weekend of free singing performances and workshops. 5pm – 10pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
12 noon – 6pm; see Fri 27 Jul for more details.
Tea with a View 1.30pm & 3.30pm; see Sat 28 Jul for more details.
Throughout the month
Discover Mandela’s journey from freedom fighter to inspirational leader on the centenary of his birth. Until 19 Aug; 10am – 11pm daily; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Gamelan School & Group Workshops
Get a group together to have a go at playing the Javanese gamelan. 10.30am; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £195
Lee Bul
This mid-career survey of the work of visionary artist Lee Bul focuses on her exploration of the body and its relationship to architectural space. 11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); Thursday until 9pm (last entry 8pm); closed Tuesday; Hayward Gallery Supporter: £14.50***, Standard: £13
Yuan Goang-Ming: Tomorrowland
This exhibition of the work of Taiwanese artist Yuan Goang-Ming features three recent videos that continue the artist’s exploration into the idea of ruins, homes and dwellings.
Language Shift
Reverse Colonialism!
8pm; see Tue 24 Jul for more details.
The Jam Shed Supper Club
Join MasterChef contestants for an intimate dining experience overlooking the Thames. 6pm & 8.30pm; St Paul’s Pavilion, Level 6, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £45
Polari: featuring Lesley Thomson
Experience the beloved literary salon’s unapologetic blend of thought, humour and passion. 7.30pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £5
Hot Brown Honey
Find out what all the buzz is about as Hot Brown Honey present a dazzling theatrical spectacular. 8pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £22 – £28
9.30am; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £30
Artist Mary Kuper creates visual works responding to the National Poetry Library’s collection of poems in European languages. Until 23 Sep; 11am – 8pm daily; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free.
Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms Can you predict the fountain’s next move? Guess wrong and you might get soaked.
12 noon – 10pm; see Fri 27 Jul for more details.
Until 9 Sep; Monday, 12 noon – 9pm; Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 9pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
The Jam Shed Supper Club
ABBA: Super Troupers
Chorus Weekend
6pm & 8.30pm; see Tue 24 Jul for more details.
Hot Brown Honey 6pm & 9pm; see Tue 24 Jul for more details.
Tea with a View
Enjoy the most British of treats in the Members Area. 1.30pm & 3.30pm; Members’ Cafe-Bar, Level 6, Royal Festival Hall; £23.50 – £32.50
Modified Social Benches
Gamelan Courses – Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced
Hot Brown Honey
Tuesday 24
Until 9 Sep; Royal Festival Hall Roof; Free
Nelson Mandela: The Centenary Exhibition 2018
4.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free*
Get the most out of the exhibition with this in-depth exploration of Lee Bul’s work, with exclusive early hours access to the gallery.
Look to the rooftops to spot the dazzling designs of designer Zandra Rhodes’ summertime flags.
Until 9 Sep; across the site.
6pm & 8.30pm; see Tue 24 Jul for more details.
Lee Bul in Depth
Zandra Rhodes Flags
Until 9 Sep; 10am; Queen’s Walk; Free
Until 6 August; 11am – 7pm; Thursday until 9pm (last entry 8pm); closed Tuesday; HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery; Free
7.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Until 31 Aug; Southbank Centre Square Doors; Free
See (and sit on) Jeppe Hein’s witty reinventions of the park bench, each one different from the next.
Get a taste of the seaside at Southbank Centre this summer
The Jam Shed Supper Club
Saturday 28
Hear from the artists who created our cultural centre in this multimedia installation.
Southbank Centre Beach
Hear talented young orchestral musicians perform works by composers of African descent.
See this bold and interactive performance set in a new utopian nation.
Concrete Dreams Beacon
Come on a musical journey with Swedish pop sensation ABBA as they take over 1970s Britain in this one-of-a-kind exhibition. Until Sun 29 Jul; daily; various times (see southbankcentre.co.uk for more details); Exhibition Space, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; Supporter: £16.50 – £27.50***, Standard: £15 – £25
Whatever your level, try our Javanese gamelan.
See southbankcentre.co.uk; 7pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £100 per term or £270 for three terms in advance
Getting here Queen Elizabeth Hall & Purcell Room ter Wa
National Theatre
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By tube Waterloo (200 metres) Embankment (600 metres)
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Royal Festival Hall
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Hayward Gallery Be lve de re R
By train The nearest stations are: Waterloo Waterloo East Charing Cross Blackfriars
IMAX
By bus Route RV1 stops on Belvedere Road (less than a minute’s walk away) Routes 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 521, N1, N68, N171 and N343 stop on Waterloo Bridge (a two-minute walk away) Routes 76, 77, 211, 341, 381, 507, N381, N76 and RV1 stop on York Road (five minutes' walk away)
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Southbank Centre
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London Waterloo East
LondonWe believe art has the power to help create a better world for Eye everyone. That’s why we began in 1951 on the South Bank of Waterloo
the Thames. Dreamed up after World War Two, the Festival of Britain gave the nation hope for a brighter future. Today, millions of people gather at our festivals to enjoy culture from around the world. We put on 5,700 concerts, gigs, exhibitions, Waterloo Station shows and debates each year, half of them for free. Our work can be seen on six continents and in 37 towns and cities across the UK. Come and see for yourself. Southbank Centre occupies a 17-acre site in the midst of London’s vibrant cultural quarter on the South Bank of the Thames. This includes Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, and Hayward Gallery. We also curate the outdoor spaces along the riverfront and around our venues, providing free art for millions of people every year.
How to book tickets Online southbankcentre.co.uk* By phone 020 3879 9555* 9am – 8pm daily In person Royal Festival Hall Ticket Office 10am – 8pm daily Queen Elizabeth Hall Ticket Office 10am – 8pm daily * There are no transaction fees for in-person bookings or Southbank Centre Members and Supporters Circles. For all other bookings transaction fees apply: £3 online; £3.50 over the phone. If you wish to receive tickets in the post, a £1 delivery charge applies.
Access We offer BSL Interpretation, Speech-to-Text Transcription, Audio Description, Captioning, and Autism-Friendly Performances. To join our Access Scheme and book concessionary tickets, email accesslist@southbankcentre.co.uk or call 020 3879 9555. Level access is available to all our venues. For more access information please visit southbankcentre.co.uk/access
Membership Become a Member and be first in line for tickets to over 5,700 events. Join now at southbankcentre.co.uk/membership
Support Join our family of supporters and help us continue to present as many free activities as possible, making art available to all at southbankcentre.co.uk/support
Listings correct at time of going to press. Southbank Centre is a registered charity no. 298909
While you’re here You’ll never be short of eating and drinking options at Southbank Centre – we’ve got everything from cafes and sandwich shops to fine dining and bars. Browse our shops for designer concessions, unusual gifts, furniture, jewellery and homeware. Cafes, restaurants and bars You can grab a snack, sit down for a meal, or have a drink at a selection of venues across our site. For more information, see southbankcentre.co.uk/food. Concrete Cafe in Queen Elizabeth Hall is newly opened and offers a new range of food for breakfast and lunch. Hayward Gallery Cafe has recently opened and is the new secret place in London for quiet arty drinks with friends with spectacular views over Waterloo Bridge. Let your tastebuds explore the site this summer with our pop-ups offering delicious BBQ, craft beers, hot dogs, burgers, fresh juices and frozen yogurt. For fine dining, head to Skylon and for drinks and meals with friends head to Cote Brasserie and Honest Burgers. Shops Buy a gift or find something for yourself at our three on-site shops, offering design-led products inspired by our festival programme. Our newly reopened Hayward Gallery shop offers designer collaborations featuring ceramics, tiles, prints, jewellery and art books. Discover inspiring toys and games for children and prints, unique gifts and contemporary lifestyle products at our Mandela Walk and Royal Festival Hall shops. For the latest titles, bestsellers on a wide range of subjects and works linked to our Literature events, visit the Southbank Centre branch of Foyles. Southbank Centre Food Market Discover why our food market is a food lover’s destination, as our traders return with delicious street food for every appetite. Friday, 12 noon – 8pm Saturday, 11am – 8pm Sunday, 12 noon – 6pm Bank Holiday Mondays, 12 noon – 6pm On the cover: Inua Ellams © Oliver Holms Highlights page: Sir András Schiff © Nadia F Romanini / ECM Records Julian Barnes © Urszula Soltys Lee Bul Installation view of Civitas Solis II, 2014 at “MMCA Hyundai Motor Series 2014: Lee Bul, ”, 2014-2015 © Lee Bul Photo Jeon Byung-cheol Courtes, The artist and National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea Hot Brown Honey © Briefs Factory - Dylan Evans A.M. Homes © Marion Ettlinger Inside full page: Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms at Southbank Centre © Belinda Lawley
To receive publications in alternative formats, and for further information, email accesslist@southbankcentre. co.uk or phone 020 3879 9555