Things To Do In London This Weekend: 5-6 September 2015

This weekend's Things To Do In London is sponsored by New Artist Fair, bringing international artists and activities to Old Truman Brewery from 4-6 September.

Head to Doughnut Festival in Greenwich — a celebration of London's outer boroughs

All weekend

LAST CHANCE TO SEE:
The Prize for Illustration 2015: London Places & Spaces at London Transport Museum closes this Sunday. See 100 beautiful illustrations depicting the variety of squares, markets, alleyways and communities that characterise our city. Tickets to the exhibition are included in the museum entrance fee and allow access for a 12 month period from the date of purchase, children go free. £16/£13.50, until Sunday 6 September  

SOUNDSCAPES:
Head to the National Gallery to see if music has much impact on your experience of artistic masterpieces. New sound installations have been commissioned from top musicians including composers and DJs. Tickets are for two. £12, prebook, 10am-4.30pm

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GRILLSTOCK FESTIVAL:
Europe's largest BBQ festival Grillstock hits Walthamstow this weekend. Alongside grilled summer goodness, there will be bars, eating competitions and live music from Razorlight, Cuban Bros, Grandmaster Flash, Hayseed Dixie and DJ Yoda. £30/£45, prebook, until 6 September

STREET ART TOUR:
Join this street art tour around Camden to discover the best graffiti artists in town and the history of the art form. Tours start at 11am and run all weekend. £10, prebook, until 6 September

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THE RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL:
A weekend of riverside family fun on the green of Potters Fields Park right next to Tower Bridge. On Saturday see a recycling bicycle show, Soap Box Science and a drumming performance. On Sunday create a flower headdress, enjoy street theatre and join the crowds celebrating Colombia Day. Free, just turn up, noon-7pm

LONDON RIVIERA BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH:
Fill up on a three course meal and bottomless drinks at More London Estates in London Bridge. On the menu you'll find grilled sausages, red pepper pastry and watermelon. Yum. Pricey but your taste buds will thank you. £43, prebook, noon, until 6 September

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Saturday 5 September

Plenty of roadside entertainment at Chatsworth Road Festival

MADE IN CHINA:
A new exhibition opens at the Fan Museum in Greenwich which showcases its beautiful Chinese export fan collection. £3/£4, prebook, until 31 December

DESIGN MUSEUM:
Today Design Museum is putting on a packed programme of talks and walks. In the morning hear about creative ways to explore the city followed by a talk with Iain Sinclair. In the afternoon the topic shifts to walking and technology. £7.50, prebook, 10am

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MALTBY STREET MARKET:
Start your Saturday morning with a visit to two breweries to sample the finest craft beer at Maltby Street Market. Meet at the back of City Hall near Tower Bridge. £18, prebook, 10am

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CHATSWORTH ROAD FESTIVAL:
Chatsworth Road will be closed for a day of family fun. Activities include a surf simulator, boxing demonstrations, roller hockey, a climbing wall, sumo suits and those all important bouncy castles. Or you can just chill out and listen to live music. Free, just turn up, 10am-9pm

DAGENHAM DOCK:
A tour exploring the industrial history of Dagenham Dock with Rob Smith. See the site where the last battleship built on the Thames was completed, London's other flood relief barrier, oil storage depot's, scrapyards and a fantastic stretch of the Thames which is an empty white patch on the A-Z. The tour is a five mile walk so wear comfy shoes. £7.50/£10, prebook, 10am

DOUGHNUT FESTIVAL
This one is nothing to do with the sugary treats — beyond how they look. Held at The Old Royal Navy College in Greenwich, the Doughnut Festival celebrates the boroughs outside the city centre. Expect stalls, family friendly activities with highlights including talks from authors Will Self and Hanif Kureishi, alongside discussions about the future of the green belt and housing issues. £10, prebook, 11am

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POETRY AND COMICS WORKSHOP:
Have fun approaching the page in a new way at this all-day workshop with poet and poetry comics anthology editor Chrissy Williams. Writing and visual exercises, culminating in an afternoon of cutting, pasting, doodling and poeming. All materials supplied. No art skills required. £58/£72, prebook, 11am-5pm

SUMMER CRAFT FAIR:
The Lass O'Richmond is putting on a Summer Craft Fair to raise money for Wooden Spoon, a rugby charity helping disadvantaged children and young adults around the UK and Ireland. Stock up on jam and chutney, have a night off from cooking and enjoy the BBQ, there's also face painting and a tombola for kids. Free, just turn up, 11am-6pm

BEER BY THE RIVER:
If the weather is nice spend the day at Morden Hall Park's beer festival. Expect craft beer, street food, live music and vintage rides. £5, just turn up, noon-11pm

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OLD SCHOOL SPORTS DAY:
If thinking of a school sports day fills you with nostalgic joy you might enjoy Rabble's Old Skool Sports Day held in Finsbury Park. Bringing back the sack race, egg and spoon, three legged race with a few twists along the way. And this time it's made all the better by real drinks breaks and no teachers.£10/£15, prebook, 2pm-4pm

ROYAL TREASURE HUNT:
In celebration of Queen Elizabeth's record-breaking long reign there will be a Royal Treasure Hunt in a secret location with prizes, puzzles and more. £15, prebook, 2pm

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TIME TOUR THROUGH LONDON:
Take a family bus tour around London with Professor Quantum, who will show you the sights and offer historical tidbits in his inimitable style. £20, prebook, 2.40pm

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DOCUMENTARY:
The Ritzy Cinema in Brixton is showing Vamos Los Quemeros a documentary telling the story of Huracan FC London, which started out as an average Sunday league team and now have fans across four continents. £16.55, prebook, 3pm

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SUMMER JAMM:
Brixton Jamm is hosting a mini daytime festival featuring bands, DJs and all the street food you could want. £5, prebook, 6pm

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ROYAL ACADEMY LATE:
This Royal Academy Late is inspired by Joseph Cornell's dreamlike worlds. Listen to ambient music and live sounds from outer space, plus enjoy ballet dancing and a cosmic salon. Each ticket includes a Fever Tree cocktail and entry to the Joseph Cornell exhibition. Make an effort and dress cosmic style. £22, prebook, 6.30pm-10pm

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SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE:
Spend the evening at Shakespeare's Globe for The Voice and The Echo,
a series of evenings in which critically-acclaimed contemporary poets respond to the masterpieces of John Donne, George Herbert, William Blake and Gerard Manley Hopkins. The resultant blends of classic and modern poetry will be read by actors, accompanied by live music. Tonight it's the turn of William Blake. £10-£45, prebook, 8pm

COMEDY:
Zoe Coombs is a lady comedian, but has created the character of a lazy blokey one. See her as him at the Soho Theatre until 12 September. £15/£12.50, prebook, 9.15pm

GAME OF THRONES MUSICAL:
If you're experiencing withdrawal symptoms from Game of Thrones head to Leicester Square Theatre to see a musical parody of the show. £14/£15.50, prebook, 9.15pm

Sunday 6 September

Make your own clothes at this workshop in Seven Sisters

CAT CAFE:
Spend a lazy day playing with the cats at Cat Village in Shoreditch. Grab a coffee or lunch and make some new feline friends. £5, prebook, 10am-8pm

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DRESS MAKING CLASS:
If you're nifty with a sewing machine but need guidance when it comes to making your own clothes, join this six hour dress-making class where you'll learn how to use a commercial pattern and do simple fastenings. £48, prebook, 10am

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WEST NORWOOD FEAST:
West Norwood Feast occurs on the first Sunday of every month and is spread over five site in South London. Expect artist demonstrations, workshops, fresh produce, a retro village and family hub with free kids activities. There's something for everyone. Free, just turn up, 10am-4pm

RICHMIX FUNDRAISER:
Syrian charity Watanili is hosting Souq for Syria, a fundraising event at Rich Mix in Bethnal Green. Journey through a Syrian market and pick up authentic Middle Eastern arts and crafts, produce and jewellery. Workshops will run for children and there will be live music from Iraqi jazz singer Alya Marquardt and one of the Middle East's most famous rappers, El Far3i from 47 Soul. Free, just turn up, 11am-4pm

DIY ART MARKET:
Discover the work of London’s independent publishers and emerging/established artists at this DIY Art Market at Epic Dalston which features over 60 artists. Items for sale will include: art prints, ceramics, zines and independent publications, illustration, photography, jewellery, sewn items, comics, custom tees, homemade cassettes, screen prints, records, and artist books. Free, just turn up, 11am-6pm

ROCKABILLY FAIR:
Shop at London's only 1950s fair held at Cecil Sharp House in Camden showcasing vintage clothes, accessories and homeware items from the rockabilly era. Listen to vintage tunes while having your hair done 50s style. £3, just turn up, 11am-4.30pm

COLOMBIA DAY:
Celebrate Colombia Day as part of the Riverside Festival. Expect traditional dishes, Tall Ship themed workshops for children, Colombian music and dance. You can also give a rousing cheer for the magnificent ARC Gloria, the official flagship of the Colombian Navy as it enters Upper Pool near Tower Bridge. Free, just turn up, noon-7pm

POETRY:
Head to Keats House to hear three women poets from Pavilion Press read work which explores territory and selfhood. Free, prebook, 3pm-4pm

CREATIVE WOMEN
The Quarter Club is running a pitching parlour for women only where ideas for new endeavours can be aired and shared. It takes place in Bar Topolski (email [email protected] if you want to pitch). £3, prebook, 12-3pm.

BABY DISCO:
Take little ones along to tbhe Spiegeltent, South Bank to spend an afternoon boogying to tunes provided by DJ Monski Mouse. £5, prebook, 3pm

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BRIEFS:
See variety show Briefs at London Wonderground which features eye-popping acrobatics and show-stopping drag artists. £25, prebook, 7.30pm

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INGRID BERGMAN TRIBUTE:
Head to the Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank Centre to see a theatrical performance which celebrates the life and work of the Hollywood star. £10, prebook, 8pm

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In need of another idea for the weekend? There's a free art fair in Brick Lane

It's not every day that you find an art fair with free entrance, but there is one taking place at the Old Truman Brewery in the heart of bustling Brick Lane this weekend.

Starting on 4 September, New Artist Fair sees over 100 international contemporary artists displaying their work for inspection by London art-lovers. From photography to abstract painting, traditional landscapes to sculpture, there's something for every taste. There'll be live painting sessions too.

Artworks on sale start from just £20 — time to start thinking about your own collection.

New Artist Fair takes place 4-6 September at The Old Truman Brewery, F Block G4 & G5, E1 6QL. Entrance to the fair is on Ely's Yard, admission is free of charge. Keep up to date with New Artist Fair via their website, Facebook page and Twitter feed.

This weekend's Things to do in London is sponsored by New Artist Fair.


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