Cinema
Time to put on the glitz: it’s Oscars weekend. If you’re not working on Monday, stick on a tux (or a frock if you’d rather), sit back on the sofa with a cocktail and watch the red carpet madness unfold all night.
Alternatively, go and see a movie nominated for Best Film: Arrival, Fences, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell Or High Water, Hidden Figures, La La Land, Lion, Manchester By The Sea and Moonlight are all showing somewhere in London. Yes, it probably is going to be La La Land – here’s why I won’t be celebrating.
Fashion
London Fashion Week may have ended, but LFW’s Festival begins today, giving a wider public the chance to view the latest trends on the catwalk, hear talks by influencers such as Anya Hindmarch and shop the market zone where gear from 150+ designers is on sale at a discount. Different grades of day tickets, £20 – £200. February 23-26, 11am – 9.30pm, The Store Studios, 180 The Strand, WC2R. Nearest tube: Temple.
Musical Theatre
Next week is the final week for the most glamorous show off London’s West End – the UK premiere of Maury Yeston’s deadly romance Death Takes A Holiday at the Charing Cross Theatre. Since we first reviewed it as work of genius, it has been nominated for a remarkable eight Offies awards, including Best Musical, Best Director, Best Male, Best Female and Best Set Designer, Lighting Designer and Costumer Designer. Ends March 4.
Outdoors
Snowdrops, hellebores and witch hazel are putting the glamour into London’s parks, with flashes of scent and colour. See them for free at Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park, where you can enjoy tea on the terrace and a magnificent southerly view.
Or try the Winter Walk in the splendid surroundings of RHS Wisley, a short drive down the A3. Get 10% off the ticket price if you book online.
Music
Put on your best cool gear on Saturday 25 February, as the foot stomping American folk collective The Boondock Hippy – as featured on BBC Radio 2 – take the stage with guests to launch their latest EP live at the Sound Lounge in 210-220 Upper Tooting Road. Booking essential, but the tickets are free.
Coming Up
Start planning for the Easter Holidays. New Wimbledon Theatre is offering a ‘Shakespeare in a Day’ acting workshop on Macbeth for budding actors aged 7 – 11; Tuesday 4 April, 10.30am – 3.30pm, £35. Dancers have their turn on Wednesday 12 April, with workshops based round Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes: 10.30am – 1.15pm (7-11 years), 1.45pm – 4.30pm (12-16 years), £40.
Ham House is running a Ghost Hunt from 7.30pm – 9pm on four Wednesdays in March. £22 including drinks and nibbles. Call 0344 249 1895 for more details.
Sonoro, Wimbledon’s only professional choir, is performing Handel’s Messiah with Wimbledon Community Chorus at St John’s Church, 7pm Saturday 18 March. Tickets £5 – 26. Book here.
Mother’s Day is March 26: on March 24 – 25 children can plant a special present to take home for their mum at the National Trust Garden Centre, Morden Hall Park, £4. Take advantage of the free parking at MHP before they put the pay and display meters in…
Surrey Food Festival is on Saturday 22 April. Buy tickets here.
Got an event you’d like us to publicise? Email: whatson@ladywimbledon.com
By ‘Culture Vulture’ Jenny Booth
Follow: @culturevult
Visit: mediastarsite.wordpress.com
About The Author
Jenny Booth
Jenny was a news journalist for The Times. An ex-teacher, mum, gardener and art lover, there’s nothing she doesn’t know about the local culture scene…