April 2009

Stormtroopers descend on the capital this month as Star Wars: A Musical Journey premieres at the O2 in London in April. Once you've come back down to Earth, you'll discover there's plenty more to do and see what with the Camden Crawl and the London Marathon taking place this month too.

Spill Festival

Shunt Vaults, London, SE1 9SP and venues throughout London
2nd - 26th April 2009

"Performance'" was once a dirty word among theatregoers everywhere, often referring to something that was neither theatre, nor dance, nor art, nor, in any conventional way, fun. However, the Spill Festival showcases "performance" events that involve the audience, and combine innovation with real entertainment. Performances staged by Italian director Romeo Castellucci and the Pacitti Company take place at venues including the Barbican, Shunt Vaults and the Soho Theatre. Sensitive souls and the narrow-minded should probably steer clear. For everyone else, this festival (first held in 2007) offers a selection of acts that will surprise, shock, terrify and, at the very least, guarantee you'll have some anecdotes to take home.

www.spillfestival.co.uk

More info: Spill Festival Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

A Place in the Sun Live

Earls Court Conference and Exhibition Centre, London, SW5 9TA
3rd April 2009 - 5th April 2009

A Place in the Sun Live takes moves from the ExCel Centre to Earls Court to join the Ideal Home Show next door. A Channel 4 production, this particular sun-soaked TV gem follows families pursuing the secret dream of so many English people: to get away from it all for good. Sun-seekers can meet over 200 overseas property exhibitors - all with the mission of helping you to get your mitts on your dream home in a warmer climate. There's an extensive programme of free seminars where independent experts give advice on all the nitty gritty stuff like finance, tax, property law and setting up a business. But the show is not just confined to the houses themselves; there's a whole section dedicated to inspiring you about far away places, music and dancing on stage, a Turkish cafe and an Egyptian area for food and relaxation.

More info: A Place in the Sun Live Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Baroque 1620-1800: Style in the Age of Magnificence

Victoria and Albert (V & A) Museum, London, SW7 2RL
4th April 2009 - 19th July 2009

The opulence that the Baroque era is renowned for goes on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Around 200 objects from across Europe, dated between 1620 and 1800, show the fashion for elaborately enriched, gold-encrusted art works. Put in historical context, these richly decorated works were a statement on the wealth of the continent at a time when absolute monarchs ruled vast swathes of land. The Catholic Church too held considerable power and had the financial muscle to commission the kind of sculptures and textiles displayed here. Pieces that once put the finishing touches to Louis XIV's Palace of Versailles sit alongside religious paintings by Flemish artist Rubens and works from St Peter's Basilica in Rome.

More info: Baroque 1620-1800: Style in the Age of Magnificence Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Calendar Girls

Noel Coward Theatre, WC2N 4AG
4th April 2009 - 19th September 2009

With Patricia Hodge, Sian Phillips and Lynda Bellingham (the mother from the OXO adverts) all in the cast, audiences will know exactly what to expect from this stage adaptation of the film 'Calendar Girls', which arrives at the Noel Coward Theatre following a sell-out national tour. The tale of the Women's Institute members who decide to produce a nude calendar for charity is as slender, genial and entertaining as it was in the film. In the theatre, however, there's an extra layer of low grade, middle class naughtiness added by seeing all the naked jam-making live on stage. If you enjoyed the film, then you'll certainly enjoy the play.

More info: Calendar Girls Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Star Wars: A Musical Journey

The O2, London, SE10 0PE
10th April 2009

The word 'phenomenon' could have been created for Star Wars; its world domination spans over 30 years from the release of the first film - just 'Star Wars' back then - to Lucas's sixth offering 'Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'. The cult following of these intergalactic adventures means that anything new under the Star Wars brand shoots into orbit. Nothing is safe from money-spinning marketing ideas - from t-shirts to toy lightsabers - and 'Star Wars: A Musical Journey' is the latest spin-off in town. It might be unashamedly piggybacking on Lucasfilm Ltd but it does feature the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra striking up a medley of John Williams's famous score, set to scenes from the films. With live narration and an exhibition of memorabilia straight from the archives, this is a journey through the stars that will leave fans aglow.

More info: Star Wars: A Musical Journey Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Ether Festival

Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, SE1 8XX
10th April 2009 - 28th April 2009

The Southbank Centre's festival of electronic music is an eccentric event. Although some of the music is pop and performance of the kind you might expect to hear in a fashionable DJ Bar, there are some truly odd things going on as well. Last year Goldfrapp, Soulwax, 2ManyDJs and beatboxer Shlomo (in an exciting collaboration with dub wizard Mad Professor) represented the mainstream. The more eccentric musical moments included a new commission from Thomas Ades, expressionist rock (not very good, since you ask) from Pere Ubu, and a performance from a supergroup called Harmonia which included former members of Kraftwerk, Neu! and other members of the 1970s German experimental scene. Weird, but often wonderful, 2009's programme should be something to tickle the tuning forks of most electronic music fans. Watch this space...

More info: Ether Festival Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Bloc Party and Foals

Olympia, London, W14 8UX
11th & 12th April 2009

Bloc Party's exhilarating brand of indie-dance-rock is ideally suited to the live arena - as tuneful, thoughtful moments segue into a cauldron of explosive riffs and pounding drums. Since taking the world by storm in 2005 they've been fairly hard to catch live in this country (a contrast with support act Foals, who spend so much time touring that it's a wonder they find time to record any music at all). Tickets will sell fast for this pair of gigs at lovably eccentric venue Olympia.

More info: Bloc Party and Foals Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

AC/DC

The O2, London, SE10 0PE
14th - 16th April 2009

Some bands start to look a bit undignified as they enter their third decade on the road, but AC/DC never had any dignity to lose. Making The Darkness look like James Blunt, their school uniforms, cock-obsessed lyrics, unfeasibly tight trousers, and dedication to never deviating for a single riff from the over-the-top pelvic rock that made them famous, all add up to the ultimate dad-rock experience. See if you can persuade your kids to come along - once they've watched your antics at an AC/DC O2 gig, they'll never be embarrassed by anything again.

More info: AC/DC Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Alternative Fashion Week 2009

Spitalfields Traders Market, London, E1 6AA
20th April 2009 - 24th April 2009

Forget the insipid media circus of London Fashion Week, if you enjoy trendsetting and want to stay ahead of the pack, this event wins by several lengths. Alternative Fashion Week is all about supporting new talent and making a fashion show more approachable and affordable to everyday folk. We love it. This is where bright young designers show off their innovative fashions - some on the edge of the mainstream, some utterly mad (think fetishwear and fantasywear). The glass-roofed Spitalfields Market is a suitably cool place to host the five-day fashion gala full of fabulous frocks. The lunchtime shows are open to all and the event is packed to bursting with aspiring models, who rock up en masse to try and get scouted, which makes for some fabulous people-watching opportunities.

More info: Alternative Fashion Week 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The Queen's Birthday Gun Salutes

Hyde Park, London, W2 3JA
21st April 2009

Being Queen involves many privileges, not the least of which is getting to celebrate your birthday twice every year. The Queen's Birthday Gun Salutes have the advantage of taking place on her actual birthday - 21st April. It's a smaller occasion than Trooping the Colour which marks her official birthday in June. Still, this is a loud, spectacular and smoky display with a total of 41 rounds of cannon and gun shots fired across the green expanse of Hyde Park and a further 62 rounds from outside the Tower of London. Spectators at the Tower and Hyde Park can also see the Honourable Artillery Company and the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery dressed up in full regalia in a ceremony that takes you right back in time. Happy Birthday Lizzy!

More info: The Queen's Birthday Gun Salutes Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Henry VIII: Man and Monarch

British Library, London, NW1 2DB
26th April 2009 - 6th September 2009

2009 marks the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII's accession to the throne of England. To mark the occasion the British Library is hosting a major exhibition, guest-curated by Dr David Starkey and featuring historic texts like 'The Psalter of Henry VIII' - Henry's own prayer book, with notes written by the King himself. This formidable and ground-breaking ruler has marked his place in history thanks to his six wives, establishment of the Church of England and for the bloody battles he led the country into. As well as the exhibition there's a series of talks, lectures by Dr Starkey and events, including a Henry VIII Day for all the family featuring Tudor re-enactments, sports, games and workshops. Long live the King!

www.bl.uk/henry

More info: Henry VIII: Man and Monarch Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

St George's Day Events

Leadenhall Market, EC3V 0DR & Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS
Thursday 23rd & Saturday 25th April 2009

Patriotic celebrations take over the City for St George's Day in recognition of England's dragon-slaying patron saint - now thoroughly reclaimed from the football hooligans. The mayor, Boris Johnson, has pledged to make this year's official St George's Day celebrations in London special, travelling to Leadenhall Market on a Routemaster bus - the old open backed bus which helped him triumph in his mayoral campaign. On 25th April, the fun continues at Trafalgar Square where festivities include a free afternoon folk concert called 'Contemporary Music, English Roots' with Seth Lakeman and vioinist Eliza Carthy among the stars. A selection of English Heritage properties are also putting on special St George's Day events. Shakespeare's birthday falls on the same date, and the Globe Theatre hosts their own set of celebratory activities at the theatre the weekend before St George's Day. On Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April, the Globe hosts some very English events from tours of Tudor London to the free Sonnet Sunday. Workshops and interactive fun and games bring the Bard to life for all comers, young and old.

More info: St George's Day Events Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Camden Crawl 2009

KOKO, London, NW1 7JH
24th April 2009 & 25th April 2009

April is a fine month for live music in London, and the Camden Crawl is the first proper music festival of the year. Given the changeable spring weather, we're fortunate that this isn't the traditional sit-in-park-swig-warm-lager formula. A huge selection of upcoming bands play gigs in just about every important venue in Camden over two nights of music-fuelled abandon. What makes it so special is that exactly where and when the bands are playing often isn't announced until the last minute, creating a great buzz as you sprint from gig to gig (though around the 3am mark, sprinting starts to become a bit of a challenge). As this is an event for bands on the way up, it's never an obviously star-studded line-up, but the promoters have a consistent ability to spot the artists who are just on the point of going stratospheric and this is a great way to see them up close and personal before they start playing stadiums.

More info: Camden Crawl 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Flora London Marathon 2009

Starts - Greenwich Park,
26th April 2009

Every April, 30,000 runners flood the streets of the capital to do battle with themselves and each other for the London Marathon. Serious competitors mingle with charity fun-runners in the spring sunshine as the 26.2 mile route comes alive to the sounds of bands, cheering crowds and pounding feet. The race is the biggest of all city marathons and attracts many of the world's top athletes. It kicks off at Greenwich Park and Blackheath, continues through Surrey Quays, Brunel Rd, Tooley St, Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, Embankment, Parliament Square and Birdcage Walk, with a royal finish on The Mall by Buckingham Palace. Application to run is closed, but if you're raising enough money for charity - around £750 is the bottom limit - they'll let you in anyway. For the less active, you can join the crowd for an event that's increasingly becoming a festival as well as a sporting occasion.

More info: Flora London Marathon 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube