The Londonist weekly Culture Crawl is crawling with things to see, do and enjoy: this week, we have dogs, more fireworks (but not dogs AND fireworks combined because that would be unpleasant) and the first mention of Christmas shopping. Let's start with some wagging tails...
Saturday and Sunday
Described by the Kennel Club as "best fun dog event this year," Discover Dogs is a two-day event at Earls Court for dog lovers, dog owners, and dogs themselves. Over 180 pedigree breeds will be present with owners offering advice on how to keep these dogs, displays of dog-training and lots of competitions throughout - it's less cut-throat than Crufts but still keen in terms of the canine standards who have entered. Cute notices are plastered all over the website, warning potential Discover Dogs visitors that there are no creche facilities for those bringing dogs with them, which has sent the Londonist staff team into dog-creche reveries: oh, imagine piles of puppies leaping about in ball pits and playing on the slides while their owners sip gin and tonics in the bar! Awww! Bring a dog, throw sticks and brace yourself for lots of wagging tails, drool and floppy ears. Discover Dogs, Earls Court, 11 - 12 November, 10.00am to 5.00pm each day, £10.50 entry, tickets available on the door. More information available on the website here.
If you'd rather not spend your weekend in an enclosed space with hundreds of dogs and their owners, then there is the Lord Mayor's Show on Saturday for those who want to be outdoors. Starting at 11.00am on 11 November, the procession starts at Mansion House after a two minute Armistice Day silence. 800 years of London history will be celebrated as the newly elected Lord Mayor moves through town towards the Royal Courts of Justice where he will pledge allegiance to the Crown; go along if you like floats, marching bands, the State Coach and lots of people in historical hats and coats. Just turn up for the fireworks at 5.00pm if you'd rather give all that procession stuff a miss. The Lord Mayor's Show, Saturday 11.00am to 5.00pm, starting at Mansion House. Fireworks take place between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridges at 5.00pm. More information available here.
Of course, you could spend your weekend preparing for Christmas instead. Don't go to Discover Dogs unless you mean to honour the warning that dogs are indeed not just for Christmas; more seasonally appropriate purchases can be made at the Country Living Christmas Fair , held between now and Sunday 12 November at the Business Design Centre in Islington. 400 exhibitors will be touting their wares and bringing the season to be jolly to N1. The Country Living Christmas Fair, until Sunday 12 November, Business Design Centre (Islington). Open until 6.00pm on Saturday, until 3.00pm on Sunday, tickets £10.50. For more information and to book, go here.
Image courtesy of the delightful www.beedogs.com - a website dedicated to pictures of dogs dressed as bees.
