Happy International Women’s Day this weekend!
We have a whole bunch of activities and events to celebrate (including a really amazing DJ workshop for girls - check it out below.)
So, get out there, enjoy the warm weather, celebrate, and have a great weekend.
-Anton
Spotlight on…
This week we’re featuring an amazing organisation in South East London that’s supporting our community through gatherings, mental health and dementia support.
Their MINDFUL MUMS RAMBLE ON walks offer a chance for mums to get outside, meet other mums, and chat. They’re all over the S.E. London area:
THURSDAYS 11am-12pm:
Lewisham
Greenwich
Bromley
FRIDAYS 11am-12pm:
Southwark
No need to sign up. Just show up, get some exercise, feel free to bring your babies or toddlers, and stick around for a coffee/tea afterwards.
🎸 Concerts & Events
Thursday, March 5th
Bards, Poets and Playwrights - take a literary tour of Southwark Cathedral. Celebrating World Book Day, this tour explores the 900 years of the cathedral’s history with a literary slant. Book your tickets here.
Friday, March 6th
Murder Mystery Experience in the Painted Hall. We featured this event last week, and there are still tickets left. Spend the evening investigating, interrogating and solving the murder. Find out all about it here.
Celebrate Ghanaian Independence Day with pioneers of Afro Rock, Osibisa. The Godfathers of Afro Rock are going to be playing at the Fox and Firkin for a very special performance. Get your tickets here.
Saturday, March 7th
The Mansion Market is on! Beckenham Place Mansion is celebrating International Women’s Day showcasing the creativity, talent and entrepreneurship of women in the community. Check out the market’s hours.
Peckham Rye needs your help! BrightenUp London helps to maintain and restore parks around the city, and they’re having a community day this Saturday. Help restore the Japanese Garden or try your hand at wildlife surveying.
A fan making workshop. This event takes place at the ultimate home of fans, The Fan Museum in Greenwich. Learn how to do it and make two fans for you to keep. Find out more here.
Sunday, March 8th
DanceFest at the National Maritime Museum. Celebrating International Women’s Day, the museum is featuring traditional dances from all around the world. Find out about the lineup and the performers.
Morcheeba live in Lewisham. This benefit party for WAYout Sierra Leone has an amazing lineup of performers, and it’s for a good cause. See who else is playing.
All Weekend Long
Famous TV and film costumes - last chance! The Fashion and Textile Museum’s Costume Couture exhibit is ending this weekend. Experience 60 years of famous costumes from Peaky Blinders to Downton Abbey to A Room with a View.
Anna Archer’s Painting Light exhibit - final weekend. Dulwich Picture Gallery’s showcase is coming to an end. This is the first time the Dutch painter’s work has been shown in the UK. The gallery has received rave reviews from The Times, The Guardian, and The Observer.
Ruthless, a camp cult classic all-female musical in Greenwich. Ruthless is a spoof of Broadway musicals from the early 90s that tells the story of a girl who wants to be a Broadway diva so bad, she would kill for it. And it’s playing this weekend only.
🧒 Family-friendly Activities
An introduction to the world of DJ’ing for girls 10-16. Cleo, aka SOUND LIKE CHAOS, is teaching the craft of DJ’ing with sounds from all female artists. This is a really unique International Women’s Day event happening in Deptford.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar in Blackheath. Four shows this weekend at Blackheath Halls featuring 75 amazing puppets. The show is suitable for all ages.
Mini Masterpieces at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. This event for under-5s starts in the ArtPlay pavilion, moves through the gallery and ends in the art studio so little ones can explore, learn, and make their own art pieces. Book tickets here.
🍺 Food & Drink
4 hour chef residency in Peckham. The incredible chefs from Auberge de Chassignolles are taking over Bar Levan in Peckham for lunch on Saturday. This special “French Connection” menu comes with sharing starters, a main and dessert and starts off with a rosé. Find out more here and book here.
📰 News in your borough
LEWISHAM
S.E.N.D. WHATSAPP SUPPORT CHANNEL LAUNCHED TO HELP FAMILIES
Lewisham Council has launched a dedicated WhatsApp support channel aimed at families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The initiative was developed in collaboration with local parents to make it easier for families to access timely information about services across the borough.
This isn’t replacing anything. It’s an added support service to give parents and carers a direct, simple way to receive relevant news and guidance without having to search for it.
GREENWICH
20-STOREY RESIDENTIAL TOWER APPROVED BEHIND IKEA
The council’s planning committee has approved a controversial 20-storey residential tower on the Greenwich Millennium Village plot. The development will provide 258 homes, but what’s prompted concern is only a proportion are set to be genuinely affordable.
Supporters say it contributes to the much-needed housing supply, but opponents maintain that the impact on open space and local identity has not been adequately addressed. Read more about the plans here.
SOUTHWARK
URGENT FUNDRAISING DRIVE TO KEEP SURREY DOCKS FARM OPEN
Surrey Docks Farm in Rotherhithe has launched an urgent fundraising campaign after warning it could face closure. The city farm needs to raise £1,000 a day for 30 days for a total of £30,000 to keep operating.
If you think gas prices are high, farm leaders have reported a 70% increase in the price of hay in addition to falling donations and higher utility bills that have made it impossible for them to continue without support. The farm just celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, and now staff and volunteers are now appealing to residents and supporters across Southwark to help. Donations can be made here.
That’s all for now. Have a great week!