Watch your step this weekend: there is a veritable feast of festivals for Londoners starting from tomorrow until the last person stands partying on Sunday. You're very likely to just trip over one.
This new shopping and dining area in Victoria is putting itself on the map as a chic and unique place to spend your money and eat well. It is very definitely not a shopping centre and attempts to prove it by hosting this carnival that includes:
- live music on the roof garden
- makeover fashion shows for the public
- cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs and the Wagamama team
Friday 8 September (evening only), Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September (all day), free
The Brick Lane Festival is trying to establish itself as the alternative to the Notting Hill Carnival, and like the Carnival this one day event is all about the food, music and fashion of the area. Whatever you do, don't mention Monica Ali. Sunday 10 September, free.
It's the 8th annual Black Filmmaker Festival and is an excellent introduction and exploration of Black World Cinema. This year's programme includes documentaries, feature films, short films and workshops, covering subjects ranging from the revival of faith films, the meaning of reggae and hip hop, African story-telling and Afro-Brazilian culture, Los Angeles street gangs and... lots, lots more. Black Filmmaker Festival 8 - 15 September, Cineworld Shaftesbury Avenue, ICA, Tricycle Cinema, Prince Charles Cinema, go to the website for the full programme and ticket information.
The Jameel Gallery for Islamic Arts is hosting its final weekend of celebrating Islamic arts in this area of the Victoria and Albert Museum. There'll be music, poetry, storytelling and other Persian pastimes, perfume-making workshops, traditional Iranian fashion shows and, best of all, Iranian picnic food to be enjoyed in the John Madejski Gardens. Islamic Arts Weekend at the Jameel Gallery for Islamic Arts, Victoria and Albert Museum, Saturday 9 September to Sunday 10 September (10.00am to 5.00pm), free.
