GO TO THE THEATRE
A Nation’s Theatre Festival brings together the best theatre from villages, theatres and towns across the UK, with many performances taking place at Battersea’s Art Centre. The Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective’s triad of hip-hop, theatre and puppetry (yes, really) might sound unlikely but their innovative show shines a spotlight on the hardships facing young people today. The Beanfield’s multimedia show tackles themes of violence and heritage whilst Kaleider’s production The Money comes fresh from a sell-out season at the Edinburgh Fringe. A terrific kids’ program is on offer if you have little ones in tow.
Apr – May, anationstheatre.org.uk
TAKE PART IN ART
Ever wonder why some people are wallflowers, whilst others blossom in company? The Ground We Tread, an interactive, immersive exhibition, challenges the social conventions around how we interact in public. Film, painting, music and physical theatre make this a truly unique experience.
Wednesday 20 April – 19 June, pumphousegallery.org.uk
TASTE THE GOOD STUFF
Walk too fast up Battersea Rise and you might miss The Humble Grape, but it’s a shame if you do. The Clapham wine bar runs regular wine tastings; this month’s takes place on the 14th with a spring selection on the menu. An advance party of intrepid Le Bues recently sampled the Humbled Grape’s hospitality (accidentally, after stumbling into the Tuesday Tasting for a Tenner) and had a (very) merry time supping Beaujolais. Book ahead for a team night out or a romantic treat for two.
Thursday 14, humblegrape.co.uk
RUN, BABY, RUN
Lace up your trainers for laps around Battersea Park at this just-for-fun run. Whether you go for the five or 10k, accurate distance flags will help keep you keep track of your time and though it means a 9:30am start – on a Sunday – there’s no better place for it than this beautiful, river-side park. Come on – you even get a medal at the end of it.
Sunday 16th, runthrough.co.uk
TRY SOME NEW TIPPLES
Another Battersea Arts Centre event: this time it’s London’s finest breweries that are gathering for Love Beer, a one-day festival celebrating the humble hop in all its fermented glory. There’s plenty of boutique beers to taste and buy, great food, and live music will be on throughout the day.
Sunday April 17th, bac.org.uk
CATCH A CLASSIC
Like its London-wide siblings, the Picturehouse in Clapham packs more into its program than your average popcorn flicks. On Saturday 23rd, settle in for a screening of Labyrinth, the cult classic starring a 16-year-old Jennifer Connelly, Toby Fround and, the late, great David Bowie as Goblin King Jareth. Those who’ve seen it will be nodding their heads in solemn appreciation right now; if you haven’t, you’re missing out on a fantastical adventure, and a supporting cast of muppets.
Saturday 23rd, picturehouses.com
RAVE WITH YOUR BABIES
The Bedford in Balham may not look too special from the outside, but over the years it has launched the careers of numerous bands, including The Clash and U2. Today, it hosts a rousing schedule of comedy, music, dance and cabaret that takes place over three floors and this April it’s the venue for family-friendly rave Big Fish Little Fish. Grab your tiny dancers, load them up with glow sticks and relive your clubbing days.
Sunday 24, thebedford.co.uk
LISTEN TO STORIES
Are you sitting comfortably? Then we can begin. The Omnibus is one of Clapham’s most original venues and once a month it hosts So, This is What Happened… an evening of storytelling where ordinary people deliver often extraordinary, true stories in the space of the ten minutes. Grab a drink and listen to fascinating tales from real people. You couldn’t make this stuff up.
Thursday 28, omnibus-clapham.org
BE A CULTURE VULTURE
Damien Hirst’s inaugural gallery has been open since October 2015 and is well worth the jaunt to Vauxhall. It’s not an ego-project for Hirst, however; here he curates exhibitions for fellow artists and in May, the gallery hosts a solo show by bombastic American artist Jeff Koons. For refreshments, check out Pharmacy 2, a restaurant Hirst has launched in collaboration with chef Mark Hix. There are motifs of pills on the walls and dishes including a ‘Brick’ of duck egg with harissa. So, exactly what you’d expect from two frenetically creative minds.
newportstreetgallery.com
TAKE A TOUR
Like Gin? Whiskey? Touring stuff? Then you will love taking a tour of the London Distillery Company in Battersea. Not only do they produce Dodd’s gin they are the first distillery in London to make their own whiskey. Let founders Darren and Graham take you round the cold room, learn what it takes to produce whiskey and sample some of the tipple as you go.
londondistillery.com
Photo credit: Jiří Kovanda, Pump House Gallery
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