Hello South East London!
Hope everyone had a great Pancake Day, and that all the pieces from any failed flips have been cleaned off the floor by now.
To the parents out there, hope you’ve been enjoying half-term. If you haven’t, don’t worry, it’s almost over. Plus, we have some end-of-half-term events to enjoy with the family below.
We’ve got a great list of stuff this week. A couple supper clubs, some concerts, a lot of markets, including a brand new one in Kidbrooke!
Have a lovely week, South East Londoners!
-Anton
🎸 Concerts & Events
Friday, February 20th
Award-winning acoustic blues trio takes the stage. A night of blues by musicians who have played with everyone. Find out more about the artists and get your tickets.
Comedy night in Woolwich. This is the first of a monthly comedy show, hosted by Bilal Rashid. These are the best up-and-coming comedians in London. Check it out.
An evening of tea tasting in the Painted Hall. Get in the Lunar New Year mood with this Chinese tea tasting session led by a tea practitioner. (I didn’t know that was a thing either.) Explore, taste, and learn about these teas and their history.
Saturday, February 21st
Take a bicycle tour of the Thames with the Southwark Cyclists. Starting in Canada Water, this is an easy-paced ride for anyone who wants to enjoy a Thames loop. Lasts 2.5 hours and it’s free but you need to reserve a spot here.
Free clothes swap in Peckham. SET Social is hosting this free event during London Fashion Week. Here’s how it works: bring five or more items, and receive a token for each item that you can trade for other clothes. And, if you want, you can even tell a story behind the item of clothing at the mic. Find out when this very unique event is taking place.
Celebrate the Year of the Horse on Greenwich Peninsula. A dragon and lion dance, a DJ, art exhibitions, a mahjong workshop, and an East and South East Asian food market. This Lunar New Year celebration has it all. You have to check it out here because we couldn’t even include everything that’s going on.
A string orchestra tribute to Oasis. Two weeks ago, we featured a tribute to Coldplay in Greenwich. If that wasn’t your cup of tea, then surely Oasis is. The concert takes place in Southwark Cathedral in candlelight. Check out the set list here.
Sunday, February 22nd
A new market in Kidbrooke! This is the very first Kidbrooke market, which will happen the last Sunday of every month. There will be something for everybody - pizza, steak and chips, and for the kids, arts and crafts, face painting, and the Boppin’ Bunnies. Find out where and when here.
Brazilian choro concert. The Alvorado quintet is joined by singer Ines Loubet for a show that blends all sorts of Brazilian rhythms. A great way to end the weekend.
From Bard to Brothels: A walking tour of Borough and Bankside. Discover the shocking history of Borough and find out about Shakespeare and where London’s theatre scene got its start. This is run by Footprints of London, who employ seasoned guides for all their tours. Find out something new about your area.
All Weekend Long
Incredible vintage market is on this weekend! Midcentury furniture, vinyl, cameras, vintage jewellery, and so much more, plus plenty of coffee! Come early for the best pieces. Here’s the address as well as a look at some of their previous markets.
“Broken Glass” - a new production of an Arthur Miller play at the Young Vic. The show starts today and it’s already selling out. Get your tickets before it’s too late.
🧒 Family-friendly Activities
A drop-in craft session at the Queen’s House. They have two different sessions - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The theme is “Love Above” so kids will write their own ‘love letters’ to someone, telling them why they appreciate them. And they’ll have actors doing performances throughout the day.
An ‘out of this world’ concert for kids. Bach 2 Baby is playing a concert for little ones and their families in Blackheath. And the theme is flying through space! Get your tickets here.
Family craft Saturdays at Horniman Museum. Every Saturday has a different theme, and this one is perfect for the season. Make your own daffodil as they start appearing in the gardens on the museum grounds. Find out when.
Lunar New Year at the National Maritime Museum. There are so many things happening today at the Maritime Museum perfect for the whole family. Lantern making, calligraphy classes, a chopsticks challenge, a Zodiac puppet show, and so much more.
Catch the last of the Imagine Half-Term Festival. Half-term’s almost over, but the Southbank Centre still has loads to offer, including performances of The Princess and the Pea, and a hip-hop dance workshop happening on Friday. Find the schedule here.
🍺 Food & Drink
A Vegan supper club in Brockley. The last few tickets are selling out for this plant-based supper club at The Broca. They’ve got seasonal dishes, sharing plates, and garage music. It’s a vibe. Get your tickets here.
A family-style supper club for charity. A great looking veggie menu is on offer at this supper club that’s raising money for Refuge, which helps victims of domestic abuse. Eat good and support a good cause.
📰 News in your borough
LEWISHAM
CATFORD’S CINEMA RETURNS UNDER NEW OPERATORS
Lewisham Council has announced that the Catford Mews Cinema will reopen this summer under new management. The reopening is part of the council’s efforts to boost local culture and town centre activity.
The revived cinema is expected to include multiple screens, a bar and café, and community-focused programming designed to attract residents and support evening and weekend footfall in Catford. This is part of a larger endeavor to revitalize Catford and tranfsorm the greater Lewisham area into a major cultural hub.
GREENWICH
COUNCIL MAKES LTN SCHEME PERMANENT
Greenwich Council has refused a final challenge to its controversial low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) scheme around Greenwich and Blackheath and confirmed it will be permanent without further scrutiny.
Councillors had sought to reopen debate on the decision, arguing residents’ concerns hadn’t been properly considered, but council officers rejected this as invalid. The LTN restricts through-traffic during peak hours on streets around Greenwich Park, and critics say it has simply shifted congestion and safety issues to neighbouring roads.
Before you go…
Have you gone to any of the events we've told you about?
That’s all for now. Have a great week!