September 2009

September is back-to-school time for the kids and there's a new season feel as London's performance and exhibition spaces launch new shows for the autumn season. The London Design Festival dominates the city, taking place in hubs all over town, while Anish Kapoor and Turner and the Masters are major exhibitions to excite the arts world.

The Darwin Centre

Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD
September 2009

The building of the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, opened in 2002, reaches its final phase in September this year - the same year as the 200th anniversary of the great evolutionary theorist himself. The stunning new, £78 million building project has created a scientific research centre for the 21st century and enough space to store the museum's incredible collection of 22 million specimens. Among these are 17 million insects and 3 million plant specimens. For visitors this means you can now enter the cocoon-like eight-storey building and explore a working scientific environment, find out the latest discoveries and learn all about the specimens. Daily talks and demonstrations by the museum's expert scientists provide an engaging insight into the natural world.

More info: The Darwin Centre Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Duxford September Air Show

Imperial War Museum Duxford, London, CB2 4QR
5th & 6th September 2009

This famous heritage site, once an airfield in World War One, hosts four air shows each year. This one, in September, is the third outing for some of the Duxford Museum's aircraft. There are over 140 aircraft on permanent display in the hangers here and military exhibits include tanks, vehicles and guns. For this special weekend, fast jets and vintage classics, from the Spitfire to the B-17 Flying Fortress, perform fly-bys and impressive skyward displays. Take a picnic and enjoy some high-flying family entertainment.

More info: Duxford September Air Show Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Mayor's Thames Festival

Southbank Centre, London, SE1 8XX
12th & 13th September 2009

Over half a million visitors usually attend the Thames Festival which takes place over two days on the banks of the river between Tower Bridge and Westminster. Hundreds of artists and dancers take part in the daytime displays with a lively carnival both nights, as well as scores of activities for kids and a River Race involving over 300 oared boats, including eccentric creations like Viking Dragon Boats. The festival climaxes with the Night Carnival, featuring 2000 costumed performers, floats and a final massive fireworks display.

More info: Mayor's Thames Festival Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Spitalfields Show and Green Fair

Allen Gardens & Spitalfields City Farm, London, E1 5HJ
13th September 2009

Fruit, veg, flowers, handicrafts and home-grown produce are just some of the colourful things on offer at the Spitalfields Show and Green Fair. Fiercely competitive, the green-fingered enter to see who'll be awarded the best flower arrangement or the biggest marrow. Even if you only have a balcony or window box to call your 'outside space', you can enter what you've grown in this unique show. There are all kinds of stalls selling arts and crafts and organic food and drinks across Allen Gardens and the nearby Spitalfields City Farm making this a fun, free and green family day out.

More info: Spitalfields Show and Green Fair Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Ben Hur Live

The O2, London, SE10 0PE
15th, 18th & 19th September 2009

It remains to be seen whether this production of 'Ben Hur' that has been 15 years in the making, can rival the 1959 movie version, starring Charlton Heston. The film's 300 sets, 8000 extras (just for the chariot race) and 11 Oscars provide stiff competition for Franz Abraham's stage version, with the added pressure of coinciding with the film's 50th anniversary. Still, expectations are high as 400 performers and 100 animals including horses, camels and donkeys fill the huge O2 Arena to bring to life first-century Jerusalem as Jewish prince Judah Ben Hur comes up against the might of Rome in the days of Jesus. The atmosphere of the Ancient world is heightened by the in-the-round performance, reminiscent of the Roman arenas. Water, wind and pyrotechnic effects have been planned on a grand scale but the piece de resistance - as in the film - will be the nail-biting chariot scene. Spectacular stuff.

More info: Ben Hur Live Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The London Design Festival

Various venues across London, WC2E 8RF
19th - 27th September 2009

The London Design Festival is an ambitious project. Hundreds of events, locations, shops, universities and design agencies are involved in the nine days of talks, exhibitions, competitions and activities. It's a true celebration of the capital's all-encompassing design industry, taking in sectors as diverse as fashion, architecture, retail, typography, photography, textiles, interior decoration and manufacturing. Don't be put off by the volume: the criterion for inclusion here is in the quality of the design. There's a huge range of events in all shapes and sizes, from product launches in tiny boutiques to the massive trade show 100% Design, at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre. Look out for hubs at Covent Garden, the Southbank and at the Old Truman Brewery. The scope is far-reaching and you'll be hard-pressed to cover all of it but it's fun trying.

Check the website www.londondesignfestival.com for full details.

More info: The London Design Festival Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Anish Kapoor

Royal Academy of Arts, W1J 0BD
19th September 2009 - 13th December 2009

When his massive 'Marsyas' was installed in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern seven years ago, looking like a giant red gramophone, Anish Kapoor instantly became a household name. But those in the art world had long been lauding the work of this rising star. By the time his Turbine work made its impact in 2002 he had already represented Britain in the 1990 Venice Biennale, and won the Turner Prize the following year. This significant exhibition at the Royal Academy includes a comprehensive account of the Mumbai-born artist's career to-date, starting with his early pigment sculptures from the 1980s. Centre stage is the site-specific piece, Svayambh, which roughly translates as "shaped by its own energy" in Sanskrit. This monumental piece has only been exhibited twice before at the Musee des Beaux-Arts, Nantes, and at the Haus der Kunst, Munich.

More info: Anish Kapoor Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

London Open House Weekend

Various venues across London
19th & 20th September 2009

So many of London's architectural landmarks are closely guarded secrets, off-limits to Joe Public. It's tantalizing to imagine what goes on behind those closed doors. Well, for one weekend at least, we need wonder no more. Almost 700 of the city's buildings take part in this fantastic, free, yearly event, now in its 17th year, by opening their doors to everyone. It's a unique chance to see inside some of the most famous and fascinating places. There's a wealth of historical landmarks to choose from including some of the most beautiful architectural achievements in the city. You can even get inside some of the grandest private homes in your own neighbourhood - it's a voyeur's dream come true. For the more serious students of contemporary design, this is a chance to visit spaces by famous modern architects. An inspired idea and a real treat whether you're a lover of architecture or just plain nosy.

Entry to some of the houses is only permitted via pre-booked tickets acquired through the website www.londonopenhouse.org. You're advised to bring booking confirmation with you.

London Open House Weekend - Information

Turner and the Masters

Tate Britain, SW1P 4RG
23rd September 2009 - 24th January 2010

This Tate Britain exhibition reads like a who's who of Old Masters. With its impressive collection of paintings by Turner, the gallery is well-positioned to pitch the great British landscape artist against his contemporaries - Canaletto, Constable, Rubens and Rembrandt among them. Although some of these iconic images are famously well-known, this exhibition invites visitors to consider Turner in the context of his peers and rivals. Around 100 works go on display to show how, largely thanks to Turner's outstanding talent, landscape painting was elevated to new heights.

More info: Turner and the Masters Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Cliff Richard and the Shadows

The O2, London, SE10 0PE
25th, 26th & 28th September 2009

The most clean-cut man in music takes to the stage for a week of gigs. The fact that he can expect to sell out a run of three shows in a venue of this size, and a fourth at the Wembley Arena, with little support from radio or press, speaks for itself. Hitting the top of the charts in five different decades, and over 250 million records sold, combine to make him one of the biggest musicians of the 20th century and nothing we say would ever stop thousands of people flooding into the O2 this September.

More info: Cliff Richard and the Shadows Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube