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High-end yachts are set to descend on east London

GIG | Songs From The Sea

Join hearty vocalists The Salts for a marine-themed evening of classic shanties. Expect plenty of rounds of Blow The Man Down and Drunken Sailor. Apr 13, 7.30pm, from £12.50, wiltons.org.uk

Where?

Half Moon Theatre

Limehouse

KIDS | Club Origami

Perfect for ages 0-5, this interactive dance show features quite a lot of paper to encourage audiences to think and play in entirely new ways. Apr 1, 11am, 2pm, £7, halfmoon.org.uk

Where?

Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping

by Jon Massey

St Katharine Docks is set to be stu ed full of even more expensive vessels than usual as London Luxury A oat arrives at the marina. The ve-day event showcases high-end sail and motor yachts with products from the likes of Sunseeker, Oyster, Princess, Falcon and Talos featured. The organisers promise product launches with a selection available to view alongside on-shore exhibitors. Tickets for the event, which is set to run from April 18-22 cost £49.99 per day, allowing access to the boats and exhibitors. The organisers say details of VIP packages will be released in due course. Go to londonluxurya oat.com for more information

Scan this code for more about the show or to book

STAGE | One Track Minds

The latest iteration of this music-focussed discussion show features novelist Monica Heisey, comedian Hatty Ashdown and writer Dorothy Koomson. Apr 12, 7.30pm, from £7, wiltons.org.uk ash back , a regular trader at Wapping Docklands Market (10am-4pm at Brussels Wharf on Saturdays) and a man committed to capturing London’s building and the Thames on canvas, paper and marble edjbucknall.com

Scan this code to read our interview with Ed, a former architect online at wharf-life.com want more? @whar ifelive

by Jon Massey

Walk into Adaku Parker’s studio at Craft Central on the Isle Of Dogs and it’s impossible to miss the core element of business. Everywhere there are metal shelves piled high with vibrant African wax print fabrics. Every glance takes in a rainbow of bright, iridescent hues.

Then there’s Adaku herself, eyes glowing and dressed in a blue and yellow Camille dress from her new ready-to-wear range, set to launch later this year.

Colour is Dovetailed London’s business – an operation with many strands to it. Adaku imports and sells the fabrics she uses, with pieces available from as little as £3.50, with scrap bags and charm packs also available to minimise waste.

For those inspired to sew for themselves, she produces patterns for crafters to recreate her creations and offers monthly subscription boxes so customers can build their collection of fabrics, thread and haberdashery.

A sequel to her first book Sewing With African Wax Print Fabric is due out in the autumn and she also runs weekend and Monday night workshops where participants can learn to work with the brightly coloured materials and make some of her designs.

It’s a business that has grown from a chance encounter with an episode of The Great British Sewing Bee in 2016.

“I’d wanted to be a barrister since I was 14 – I went to a school where we were encouraged to aim quite high,” said Adaku. “Being brought up in a Nigerian home, I was expected to be either a barrister, a doctor, an engineer or an accountant – to enter a profession which was safe, secure, where you were guaranteed an income and you could look after yourself and your family.

“So I started on that route. I went to university to read law, went to law school, entered pupillage and was taken on as a criminal barrister and practised for about 15 years.

“I did a lot of white-collar crime – fraud, confiscation, money-laundering – and I really enjoyed that, because the numbers can never really lie, I liked the certainty in that.

“I have no background in sewing or fashion, but when I went on maternity leave in 2016, I just knew that I wanted to try something new. I was channel hopping and there was The Great Pottery Throw Down, but that wasn’t for me, so I kept on going and saw what was literally the final of the Sewing Bee. I liked that there were professionals on it – people who worked with their creativity and that was really attractive to me. I thought that if they could be interested in sewing, then maybe I might be too.”

So Adaku began dipping her toe into the fashion and textile world, taking courses and experimenting.

“I did about 20 different classes – tailoring, garment alteration and decorative techniques – and I would always take along African wax print fabric. I could see the tutors thinking: ‘Oh no,’ because pattern matching and things like that can be quite tricky.

“But I took to sewing really quickly and it didn’t take me long to get quite good at making things I liked – bags and skirts, for example.

“It gave me a real boost. I feel passionately about the fact that a human being can do many different things even though we often narrow ourselves and go down certain paths. Many skills are transferable, and I’d always felt that deep down, but I’d never experienced it, even though I knew it to be true.”

Dovetailed as a business emerged incrementally from those beginnings.

“I was making for myself, but then family and friends wanted things, too, and they were commissioning projects and items that they could buy from me,” said Adaku. “Then I had the idea to take some to a small market to see what would happen.

“It felt amazing and so affirming, that somebody would part with cash for something I’d made by hand.

“I hadn’t grown up in that environment, I’d just bought things in shops never really thinking about who had made it. I’d never sewn on a button before I did that first workshop. Then in 2018 I was on maternity leave for the second time and was really thinking about doing something other than the law – that’s when I committed to really running the business. Now sometimes I have to pinch myself – I do really big fabric shows around the country in London, Birmingham and Surrey. I’ve been on shopping television and Dovetailed was featured on Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas with Kirstie Allsopp.

“I sell online through my website and I’ve been featured in magazines – it’s really been amazing. Appearing on shopping television and telling the story of African fabric was that seminal moment for me – Dovetailed was no longer a hobby.

“Navigating the journey to becoming a business that pays for my lifestyle and employees is exciting and I’m having a great time doing it.

“Dovetailed curates a range of African wax print fabrics that are produced using a very specific process – a mechanised form of batik. I buy them from Ghana, Nigeria and Holland with a focus on quality. You can get very inexpensive African fabrics but they will look and feel cheap, so I prefer to import and sell really good quality material.

“There’s a density and a weight to it and it looks very different – people just love it. The designs make colour very wearable, it’s about finding what suits you and matching the right fabric to the project.

“My designs just come to me. Although I haven’t had a background in fashion, I’ve always been quite fashionable and I love colour and dressing up, I’ve never really stopped. Even when I was a barrister I loved passing on what I know. I really enjoy encouraging and inspiring people – writing the books is part of demystifying the craft of sewing.”

To that end Dovetailed is set to launch a series of six week workshops on Monday evenings, starting on April 10, running until May 15. Participants can choose from a selection of projects including dresses, tops, trousers and pinafores. See prices online. As for the future, Adaku has big ambitions for her brand.

“My ultimate dream would be to have my ready-to-wear garments on sale in Selfridge’s,” she said.

Go to dovetailed.co.uk for more colour full, vibrant

Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where? Poplar Union Poplar

FILM | Zootopia

Poplar Union is set to host an Easter lm screening of Walt Disney Animations Studios’ tale of the rst bunny to join Zootopia’s police force. Apr 16, 10.30am, free, poplarunion.com

Where? Poplar Union Poplar

GIG

The latest edition of Jordan O’s Soul Sessions features singer and lyricist Yesha who aims to awaken minds and Durag, a poet and performer. Apr 14, 7pm, free, poplarunion.com

Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs

STAGE

See up to 12 new 20-minute plays (a single ticket covers all performances) as the festival takes over the whole building in a celebration of fresh work. Apr 8-15, times vary, £20, space.org.uk wine update

Riverside pub The Gun is set to host regular wine tastings on the last Friday of each month with tickets costing £35. Wharf Life recently attended a warm-up event and was delighted by the breadth and consistency of the bottles thegundocklands.com

Scan this code to see what we thought about the warm-up event or for more details on forthcoming tastings want more? @whar ifelive what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where?

Printworks

London Canada Water

£29.95

Cost of an early entry ticket (before 2pm) to The Hydra: That’s How It Is at Printworks on April 10

CLUB | The Hydra: Fabric Presents Exodus Tapping into the club that was central to the London scene for so long, The Hydra presents appearances by Anna Wall, Dusky, Amaliah and Josh Ca e. Apr 6, 7pm-2am, from £24.50, printworkslondon.co.uk

Where?

The Albany Deptford

KIDS | I Want My Hat Back

A bear has lost his hat and is keen for its return from the sh who stole it and the pair of turtles who both desire it. Suitable for ages 3-6. Apr 12, 1pm, 3pm, £8.50, thealbany.org.uk

Where? The Albany Deptford

GARDEN

| Come ‘N’ Grow

The Albany is running free gardening sessions for adults (Thursdays) and those aged 60+ (Tuesdays) from April 11. Get a bit of veg in the ground. Tues + Thurs, times vary, free, thealbany.org.uk concert dates

by Jon Massey

Beats and sounds from the 1990s are set to ll Printworks London as The Hydra brings back That’s How It Is. Kicking o in 1993, the club night ran for a decade and is resurrected here through the picks of tastemakers Gilles Peterson and James Lavelle.

Roni Size and long-time collaborator and creative partner Krust.

This is Lizzie Holmes, founder of classical music promoter Debut, which is hosting a series of monthly “secret concerts” in the Brunel Museum’s Thames Tunnel entrance hall with dates in April, May, June and July debut.org.uk

Scan this code to nd out more secret concerts from Debut in the Brunels’ Thames Tunnel want more? @whar

Tickets are still available for the 11-hour event, which runs from noon until 11pm at the Canada Water venue and features a barrage of wellknown names.

In addition to Peterson and Lavelle, there will be sets from Unkle-Ronin, Bonobo, Kurder & Dorfmeister, Carl Craig and Nightmares On Wax.

For lovers of drum and bass, there will also be a set from

Billed as having a genrebending music policy, the organisers promise a full line-up that’s an unmissable nod to London’s club culture, curated by two men who have been nding sounds and showcasing artists for 30 years. With other shows in The Hydra series already sold out, this is a last opportunity to attend with a few early entry spots left for £29.50. Go to printworkslondon.co.uk for more information or to book

Scan this code to nd out more about The Hydra at Printworks what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where?

The O2 Arena Peninsula

Cost of a ticket to see The Heights by Tramshed Young Company in Woolwich on April 15

GIG | Andy C Presents Alive 2.0

One of the most enduring and popular gures in dance music is set to ll the tent with the biggest indoor drum and bass event the UK has ever seen. Apr 7, 4.30pm, from £37, theo2.co.uk

Where?

Now Gallery Peninsula

ART

| What You See Here, What You Hear Here

Darryl Daley takes over the exhibition space with four lmic works. Expect spectacular storytelling with a blend of moving images and photography. Mar 23-Jun 11, daily, free, greenwichpeninsula.co.uk

Where?

Beanfeast Woolwich Works

Telling Those

GIG | Lokkhi Terra + Bajabaah

Arsenal Of Sounds returns, this time taking audiences to Bangladesh and Nepal with two Londonbased groups re ecting the capital’s in uences. Apr 7, 6.30pm, from £10.50, woolwich.works be quick

how a young theatre company are set to perform work by Derry Girls creator as The Heights comes to Woolwich

by Jon Massey

Tramshed Young Company is gearing up for a pair of performances in Woolwich of Lisa McGee’s play The Heights. Best known as the creator of Derry Girls, Lisa’s writing spans stage and screen, with this play focused on the hapless Lillie.

But are her creations just in her head or is there more to them than that?

Created in collaboration with National Theatre Connections, the production features a cast of teenage actors directed by an emerging director with opportunities also created for aspiring technicians in lighting and sound.

Four Freaks From Iowa, performed by The Roan Theatre Company is set to run at Greenwich Theatre from March 22-25, telling the extraordinary story of Vaudeville’s most vili ed and highest paid act greenwichtheatre.org.uk

Scan this code to nd out more about the production or to snap up some last-minute tickets online want more? @whar ifelive

A resident of the Heights Estate, where nothing ever happens, she never goes out but sits making up stories in her bedroom on the sixth oor of her tower block.

While watching people go by outside she makes up tales – some happy, some sad, some funny. Playing catch with a loaded gun, murdering a twin brother, giving birth to a baby made of glass.

The Heights will be performed at The Tramshed in Woolwich on April 15, with shows at 3pm and 7pm. Tickets cost £6, with those under 16 getting in for free. Go to tramshed.org for more

Scan this code to nd out more about The Heights at Tramshed

Hours the ACL Community Art Day is set to run at Art In The Docks’ gallery in Royal Docks 8

Artistic Change Leaders are a diverse group of students all studying MA International Fashion Business at the University Of East London in Royal Docks

Royal Docks - Canning Town what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where? Fold Canning Town

CLUB | Transmissions: Curated By Objekt

Excpect a core of techno with ashes of acid, electro and house at this party. The line-up includes mi-el, CCL, Shackleton and, of course, Objekt himself. Apr 14, 10pm-6am, £25, ra.co

Where? Excel Royal Victoria Dock

EVENT | Star Wars Celebration Europe

Don a Wookie costume, dress the kid as an Ewok and get down to Excel to be with your people in a galaxy far, far away. But who has the best lightsaber? Apr 7-10, from 10am, from £65, starwarscelebration.com

Where? Riverscape Silvertown

by Jon Massey

Agroup of MA International Fashion Business students are set to hold an event aimed at building a new creative community in Royal Docks. Artistic Change Leaders (ACL), whose members all study at the University Of East London, plan to host a Community Art Day on April 29 from 10am-6pm.

Hosted at Art In The Docks’ gallery space at Royal Albert Wharf, the event promises a host of free activities and workshops, performance art, newspaper art (the best kind, obviously), origami and petal art as well as displays from selected local artists.

Attendees will even be able to make reusable tote bags and enjoy entertainment from a DJ.

ACL says its vision is “to inspire and motivate creative spirit in the local neighbourhood and showcase amazing talent in Royal Docks” with a focus on exploring ways of living sustainably. While tickets for the Community Art Day are free, they should be pre-booked via the code below. Follow @artisticchangeleaders on Instagram for more information

Scan this code for more about ACL’s event

EVENT | Fun At The Farm

Families are invited to come down to Ballymore’s development to meet ponies, lambs, goats, chicks and bunnies with feeding and petting available. Apr 16, 10am-2pm, free, eventbrite.co.uk ashing lights

Open until June 4, Thin Air lls The Beams venue at The Factory Project with a series of light-based art and sound installations. O -peak tickets for the show start at £20, open Wednesday to Sunday thebeamslondon.com

Scan this code for more information about Thin Air or to book tickets for an illuminating visit want more? @whar ifelive