October 2008

Welcoming in the autumn, October has a rich array of events guaranteed to keep you focused as the leaves start to fall from the trees. Limber up with the Yoga Show before getting fully active at the Metro Ski and Snowboard. Alternatively, shimmy your way through the month with some ballroom dancing. For children The Big Draw and Children's Book Week.

The Big Draw

Wellcome Collection, London, NW1 2BE & Various Venues
1st October 2008 - 31st October 2008

Now in its ninth year, this splendid month-long nationwide event has simply one objective - to get everyone scribbling. The Campaign for Drawing originates from John Ruskin, the great Victorian artist, writer and visionary. Ruskin's belief that drawing is the basis of visual thought means a doodle a day is not so much about teaching people how to draw, but how to see. The Big Draw launch takes place on Friday 26th September at the Wellcome Collection with special activities over the weekend and at University College London. Events continue place throughout October nationwide. At the British Library on Monday 27th October Quentin Blake hosts the free Big Picture Party (11am to 5pm), especially aimed at 3 to 11-year-olds. Meet top illustrators, authors and performers for a day of drawing, storytelling and some very big pictures. The website www.campaignfordrawing.org lists events across the UK and in your area.

LAUNCH:
Dates and times:
Friday 26 September (launch): Wellcome Collection, 19.00-22.00
Saturday 27 September: UCL and Wellcome Collection, 11.00-17.00
Sunday 28 September: Wellcome Collection, 11.00-17.00

More info: The Big Draw Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Photomonth Photo-Open

Art Pavilion, London, E3 5BH
1st October 2008 - 30th November 2008

Over 80 exhibitions in 50 galleries come under the umbrella of Photomonth, a photography festival in the East End of London. There's everything from major exhibitions - like last year's Magnum exhibition celebrating 60 years of fashion (at the Magnum Print Room, EC1V 3RS, until 2nd November) - to photo tours by acclaimed photographers. While the details for 2008's event have yet to be confirmed, 2007 saw Stephen Gill conduct some insightful tours around the borders of the Olympic site. It'll be interesting to see how far the bulldozers have progressed in a year. We can expect a big fanfare to mark the opening of the two month-long festival which, as the name suggests, is open to all, giving young photographers and filmmakers a chance to show their work to the public. With additional events, talks, walks, seminars and exhibitions at galleries including the Whitechapel and Host galleries and the London Metropolitan University, there's participation on all levels.

See www.photomonth.org for full details.

Photo: Elina Jokipii

More info: Photomonth Photo-Open Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Francis Bacon

Tate Britain, SW1P 4RG
1st October 2008 - 4th January 2009

Francis Bacon's weirdly warped images are so well known they're instantly recognisable as his. His influence will undoubtedly continue to be felt for centuries to come. At this, the first major retrospective in London since 1985, important paintings from each period of his life are exhibited alongside one another. His paintings of the 1940s, in particular, are of a style that shot him to a worldwide fame, many of which were done in a hungover haze or after little or no sleep. Of his 'Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion' (1944) he said, "It was a thing that I did in about a fortnight, when I was in a bad mood of drinking, and I did it under tremendous hangovers and drink". This exhibition at Tate Britain marks the centenary of Bacon's birth in 2009 and will tour to the Prado in Madrid and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

More info: Francis Bacon Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Children's Book Week

Unicorn Theatre, London, SE1 2HZ
6th October 2008 - 12th October 2008

National Children's Book Week takes place every year in October. Designed to highlight the fun of reading and to gently encourage children to get excited about literature, the event is now in its 77th year. Although 2008's theme has yet to be announced you can expect a full programme of book related events in London throughout the week. Last year, the focus was on the environment, raising awareness on landfills and wasted resources; accordingly, the book list featured titles like 'Dear Greenpeace' and poetry-and-picture book 'A Song for Planet Earth'. Recommended for children aged 4+. For all Children's Book Week events see www.booktrusted.co.uk.

*NB: VENUE AND DETAILS TO BE CONFIRMED.

More info: Children's Book Week Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Ballroom Dancing Championships

Royal Albert Hall, London, SW7 2AP
7th October 2008 - 9th October 2008

The Royal Albert Hall welcomes a select group of 360 consummate dancefloor experts, both amateur and professional, for the 56th annual International Ballroom Dancing Championships. Spectators have the chance to see the pros compete in Latin class (Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive). The amateurs, as well as dancing Latin, will also go foot-to-foot in standard class, giving us a demonstration of the timeless classics (Slow Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep). 'Strictly Come Dancing' has raised interest in dancing to unprecedented levels, and the standard here will be exceptional.

More info: Ballroom Dancing Championships Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The Times BFI 52nd London Film Festival

BFI Southbank, London, SE1 8XT
15th October 2008 - 30th October 2008

Every October the BFI Southbank and cinemas across London host the London Film Festival, now in its 52nd year and still attracting Hollywood players and Indie film-makers from around the globe. As well as a few blockbuster premieres, gala films and celebrity-studded ceremonies, there is a commendable amount of programme time given over to small independent films, foreign language cinema and documentary work. Any film fan is sure to find several films and events to entice them in this rich and varied programme. The city is positively abuzz with talk of the silver screen during these 16 days. Consecutive years of unprecedented success have made this a key event on the celluloid calendar.

More info: The Times BFI 52nd London Film Festival Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The Frieze Art Fair

Regent's Park, London, NW1 0AB
16th October 2008 - 19th October 2008

As the country's leading contemporary art fair, The Frieze Art Fair is far from conventional. There's always the possibility of stumbling across something out of the ordinary - like the Austrian performance artist peeing into his own mouth (as seen at the 2003 fair). Among the paintings and installations there's an amazing jumble of the comical, the beautiful and, as we've seen, the shocking. You can expect short films, talks and site-specific projects all presented in a slightly chaotic atmosphere. With over 150 galleries from all over the world exhibiting work by around 1,000 contemporary artists there is an incredible wealth of art on display - and the incredibly wealthy come to buy it. All this is packed into a single temporary structure in Regent's Park. Almost as interesting as the art is the people watching - and with 63,000 visitors attending last year, there are plenty to look out for. All in all, a unique and mind-blowing thing to experience.

Photo: Adrian Paci - Per Speculum, 2006 (detail)
Courtesy Francesca Kaufmann, Milan

More info: The Frieze Art Fair Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Metro Ski and Snowboard Show

Olympia Exhibition Centre, London, W14 8UX
22nd October 2008 - 26th October 2008

Planning to hit the slopes next winter? Before you take off for snowier climes you'd be wise to put in some pre-ski prep work at this event which turns Olympia into a giant snow dome. Celebrating its 36th year at the cutting-edge of the snowsports world this snow show is almost as much fun as the real thing and makes for a great day out for friends and families. Taking over the Grand Hall and Balcony of Olympia it's a mammoth event. As well as the chance to buy all the latest gear and clothes, there are bargain ski-trips. There are rumours of an Ice Kingdom - complete with ice bar - as well as a hip jump - where skiers get some big air and perform jumps over a split in the ski slope. It's great spectator sport. There are plans to bring back real snow for the giant ski slope which dominates the exhibition space. Take the kids along - anyone under eleven goes free and there is also a creche to keep your mini winter sports enthusiasts occupied. They can also get their first taste of scooting on skis on the teaching slopes, glide around the ice rink, get their picture taken in the igloo photo booth and see the husky dogs (during the week). Whether it's skiing or boarding that takes your fancy the on-hand qualified pros are there to take you through the basics. There's even practical advice on how to juggle your passion for skiing without giving up the day job. With a show on this scale it's like having a ski resort in the capital.

More info: Metro Ski and Snowboard Show Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008

Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD
31st October 2008 - 26th April 2009

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is the most prestigious and successful event of its kind in the world. It is open to amateur and professional photographers and each year a panel of wildlife and photography experts scrutinise around 16,500 entries from a global pool for their composition and originality. Some photographers wait for weeks in order to catch that one great action shot, others have simply seen an opportunity, grabbed a camera and produced a unique picture of the natural world. New perspectives on familiar creatures mix with quirky corners of nature, and tragic shots of ruined landscapes provide a contrast with cute and cuddly close-ups. The photos are, by turns, touching, inspiring, educational and tragic, but all of them provide an insight into a magical world. This is a stunning exhibition.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008 - Information

The Yoga Show

Olympia, London, W14 8UX
31st October 2008 - 2nd November 2008

There is a bewildering variety of yoga disciplines, from gentle meditation techniques to tie-yourself-in-knots gymnastic contortions. This huge show covers dozens of the possibilities. As well as Pilates, Ayurvedic therapies and dietary advice there are also stalls selling everything from chemical-free yoga mats to three-week meditation holidays. The workshops really are worthwhile, some are free, for others you need to book and pay; there's something for all levels of ability. Remember to wear comfortable clothes, and stay clear of heavy foods for an hour or so before the show if you want to join in. From first-timers looking to find a discipline that will suit them, to experienced yoga professionals trying to achieve the next level of spiritual enlightenment, there is something here for everyone. A welcome break from the bustling city.

More info: The Yoga Show Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube