Lambeth - What's on for the family - October 6th-7th 2012

The heating has been put on at home, an extra blanket on the bed and the search is on for a good winter coat for baby Boo-boo. So I was hoping for a few events indoors however it looks like we will be getting out hats, gloves and scarves because this weekend's offerings are outdoors!

So lets take a look.

SATURDAY (6th October)

Now it's all gone a bit arty this weekend as it is the Lambeth Open, an opportunity to poke one's nose into the studios of the local art community. Unfortunately it's not necessarily a child friendly event though if you have a baby in a sling, I'm sure this event is accessible to you. Anyway, I thought I'd put it out there for those who want to brave it! Let us know how it goes.

Neighboring borough Wandsworth also have a similar event with their Wandsworth Artist Open House. They have a couple of arty trails mapped out in Battersea and Balham/Tooting area so fairly easy for Lambeth folks to get to!  Again probably not on for those with toddlers who might run riot around valuable art works!

However these events also coincide with the Big Draw. YAY! say the parents, because this has some things that children of all ages can get involved with!

First up, the Brixton Windmill is holding a Big Draw event. Travel up the hill on buses 159, 109, 133, 45 and 333 to Windmill Gardens and get involved in their Flour Power event from 1pm to 4pm. This involves helping create a large participatory Rangoli drawing, "a traditional folk art from India, involves creating large designs on the floor using bright colourful materials such as flour, seeds and pulses". There will also be chalks around so kids can chalk the paths with pictures and patterns. There will be tea, coffee and cake available and the gardens has a kids playground so this makes a good opportunity to let the children have some fun and mum and dad eat cake!

If that doesn't do it for you, make sure you factor in some time to pop down to Brixton Library where they also have a Big Draw event from 2pm to 4pm. This will be a reading and art workshop based around the theme of children in Victorian times. Open to all of the family and a great chance to do something and stay very local. Lots of buses run through Brixton including the 3, 2, 195, 415, 133, 59, 159, 37 and 345.

Now I reckon some of you don't mind a bus ride into central London so just to let you know the Big Draw is also on at the National Gallery which is only a bus ride away being served by the 159 and no. 3. This event is on between 11am to 3pm in room 9 and consists of working on a collaborative art installation, drawing the pics in the gallery with different materials and learning new skills. The event is repeated on Sunday.

So we've finished indoors for today. But we're off outdoors again tomorrow!

SUNDAY (7th October)

Coats still on? Couldn't let you get to comfortable! We are off to visit the West Norwood Feast, a selection of markets selling local items whether that be printed illustrations, hand made jewellery to home grown veg and cooked on the spot burgers and burritos! Yummy! We certainly enjoyed it last month. There seems to be a hub of activity around St Luke's church where the hot food is served and where the children can go mental in their own little area. It really has provided a children friendly space! The feast runs from 10am til 4pm every first Sunday. Buses into the area are the 2, 68, 432, 196 and 322.

Boo-boo enjoys eating outdoors at the West Norwood Feast!

Heading from deep south Lambeth into North Lambeth, we can take a moment and try a  bit of gardening with the Elefest Mobile Gardeners on Wansey Street and be part of creating a jigsaw pavement mural, help plant a sofa (?!) or adopt a box for seed planting.This event runs from 12pm to 5pm and is located on Wansey Street which is just around the corner from the Cuming Museum. Local buses to the Elephant are the 133, 415, 155, 35 and 45.

Whilst we are at the Elephant we can either make a choice to head to Camberwell or the South Bank. Now what's on where? Well, one for buggy parents is the free Camberwell Radical History Walk featuring stories of anti-fascists, rioters and squatters! Meet at 2pm, on Camberwell Green, by the corner of Camberwell Church Street, London, SE5. Transport through Camberwell is buses, 36, 45, 185, 35 and 68.

Not for you? Then perhaps head to the Southbank Centre for the Real Bread Festival! Yes, it's all about bread but more importantly there is an opportunity for the family to get their hands dirty and have a go at making bread. Check out the Brockwell Bake arena (yes Lambeth folk, our Brockwell as in park) and have a go at making pizza. There is an opportunity at 11am, 1pm and 3pm to learn about the best methods of baguette making. Travel here on the 59!

And while you are down the Southbank don't forget to check out the great playground in Jubilee Gardens next to the London Eye!

Ok folks, I think we have had food, gardening, art viewing, art creating and a spot of radical history. Hopefully you have found something that either yourself or the little one can enjoy!

Happy weekending!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - September 1st -2nd 2012

Another week, another weekend. Hope you all had a good bank holiday. We popped along to the Leonard Street party and then wandered along to Spitalfields City Farm where the baby proceeded to sleep whilst we enjoyed viewing the animals. The joys of sharing stuff with the children!

So what’s on this weekend? Well, unlike last weekend we have some good local bits and pieces. Southwark has its Elephant and Nun festival which celebrates community from the Elephant and Castle through to Nunhead. We have listed a couple of events which are fairly local to Lambeth with the usual details of bus routes.

SATURDAY 1st September

Performing at Camberwell Green on Saturday at 12:30pm  and 2:30pm will be one of Barcelona's finest street clowns, Leandre. Buses 35, 45, 36 and 345 all run past the green.

Just down the road in Burgess Park,  Circumloqui present Ne Ne Titere Pas, a mixture of mayhem and theatrics presented by a puppet and a musician on top of one of those three-wheeler french little vans. Press the link and watch the clip - it looks like good fun entertainment for little and big kids! Head towards Chumleigh gardens within the park. Showtimes are at 1pm and 3:30 pm. Buses to the Camberwell Road side of the park are the 35 and 45.

If you want a bit more of an outing, then attend the  Peckham Rye Fete on the common from 12pm to 5pm. They have a dog show!! Borrow a pooch and enter him! They have a tea tent! Nom cake! They have Punch and Judy show and a Pimms tent! Sit the kids in front of the puppets and leisurely sip a glass of Pimms. An entertaining afternoon has been conjured up on the common so pop along. The number 37 will take you there!

If you are down that way don’t forget to check out the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre in East Dulwich off Lordship Lane. We mentioned it in an older blog post and then visited the other week. The baby had a go at pressing some buttons and although the exhibition is little, it was very enjoyable – definitely a family winner!

So that’s a good choice of local events happening. However for those who like a good long bus ride adventure, up in Kings Cross (at the end of the 59 route) they are having an ice cream festival. Now as a kid I loved ice cream, so free ice cream is always something I find exciting. This event has a petting zoo and an opportunity to milk a cow as well as the story of ice cream in London and lots of free ice cream samples. It is a bit in the middle of no-wheresville in Kings Cross so good if you are pushing a little one in a buggy or have kids who don't mind a little bit of walking.

SUNDAY 2^nd September

There are more events at the Elephant and Nun festival today.

The Burgess Banquet is a music and food event held at Burgess Park from 12 to 5pm near the lakeside. It features an afternoon of live music, cooking demonstrations and food-themed arts and crafts activities. Buses that run from Brixton to near the park entrance are the 35 and 45.

Caramba is a celebration of Latin music and dance held at St Mary’s Churchyard (Newington Butts, SE11) – that’s the bit of land next to the (now being dismantled) Elephant and Castle Leisure Centre. There is also a children’s play area there. Events are on between 12 to 6pm. The 133, 45, 35, 155 and 415 all go past this green space.

If none of this is quite your cup of tea, the Tate Modern has a family day in the newly opened up tanks beneath the main structure. Entitled Sound and Performance, it is described as a “participatory event inviting visitors of all ages to explore, collaborate and create, in an experiential day of sound and performance”. So parents who are experts at singing songs and making shapes with the little ones should be able to take this to the next level and make it arty. The family event is on between the hours of 11am to 5pm. I haven’t been to the tanks yet but my daughter has….

Another thing to check out while you are there, is the Under Fives Zone on the 4^th floor – an opportunity for your little ones to clamber and explore giant shapes from a cubist still-life drawing! To get to the Tate Modern on bus, the 45 which passes through Brixton stops at Blackfriars Bridge Road. Alternatively, there is always the tube to Southwark.

For those who really want to stay in Lambeth or if you loved yesterday’s Southwark dog show so much that you want MORE, there is a fun dog show from 2 til 4pm opposite the cafe on Streatham Common which is situated by the car park at the intersection of Covington Way and Streatham Common south.

Have you got a dog you want to enter or do you just want to have a look at all the dogs. Events include cutest puppy, dandiest dog, bonniest bitch, dog and spoon race and includes stalls and raffles. Event should come with a warning as undoubtedly some kids will be asking their parents for a puppy! Buses to Streatham Common are 159, 50, 333, 118, 109 and 250.

Have a great weekend!