Going Out

Take up The Mighty Boosh mantel and go clubbing to kick start your Easter weekend. If you're on the hunt for something more civilised you can catch the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing the Star Wars classics, or celebrate the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII's accession to the throne with two new exhibitions which open this month.

Ether Festival

Southbank Centre, London, SE1 8XX
10th-25th 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. This year mainstream performances come from electro punk queen Peaches, krautrock kings Mouse on Mars and Norwegian duo Royksopp, while David Byrne and Brian Eno collaborate together for the first time in 30 years. The more eccentric musical moments include the Noise of Art, Plaid & Supanggah, Fennesz, Spaceshipp and Hauschka. Innovative, modern and important, this electronic festival gives music lovers the chance to appreciate a wide range of styles in the superb Queen Elizabeth Hall. For full listings and times, please consult the Southbank Centre official website.

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

Star Wars: A Musical Journey

The O2, London, SE10 0PE
10th & 11th 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

Russell Brand

Hammersmith Apollo, London, W6 9QH
11th April 2009

Due to popular demand, the much maligned comedian Russell Brand puts some extra dates on his Scandalous UK tour. Forget he insulted one of British comedy's national institutions in Andrew Sachs; forget he writes a really dire football column for The Guardian; forget he wears ridiculously skinny, low-cut jeans, styles his hair like Worzel Gummage (on a good day) and sleeps with most of the female population he comes into contact with (including Manuel's grand-daughter...). Brand is actually quite a funny man. Having made slight ripples in Hollywood with a string of films last year, Brand returns to his natural habitat - stand-up comedy - and it is clearly what he does best. Insightful, irreverent, topical, erudite and at times plain stupid - Brand's brand of rambling, associated thought and chatter takes a bit of time to get used to, but pays strong dividends. His array of comedic voices, exaggerated gestures and archaic vocabulary never fails to entertain, while he is not afraid to hold any punches. Expect an apology of sorts for his role in the Sachs-gate scandal. If you miss him here you may be able to get tickets for his performance at the O2.

More info: Russell Brand Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Deadly's Easter Party

The Arches, London, SE1 1TE
9th April 2009

London Bridge nightclub The Arches gets the Easter Bank Holiday off to a flying start with the start of its Deadly House Party series and a live set from The Mighty Boosh crew. The idea is pretty simple: DJs have to play nothing but party music, with no fillers padding things out in between. Kicking things off are Noel Fielding, Julian Barratt et al performing a "rare, wild and legendary" set. The comedy troupe will be joined by a cluster of special guests yet to be announced, but there is definite support from New York electronic turn-tabler, Drop the Lime. The holiday feel, alongside a varied musical line-up and The Arches' excellent sound-system, lights, lasers and cavernous corridors should make this a memorable event. Check the official site for up-to-date information on tickets and sets.

More info: Deadly's Easter Party Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones

Victoria and Albert (V & A) Museum, Porter Gallery, London, SW7 2RL
24th February - 10th May 2009

Hat designer Stephen Jones has delved into the V & A archives and pulled out 300 of his favourite headpieces. You may not find many Easter bonnets among these headpieces but you will get to see some top designs by a list of who's who in the hat world including Philip Treacy, Mitza Bricard for Christian Dior and Vladzio d'Attainville for Balenciaga. These modern designs are displayed along with more historic headwear including Prince Albert's top hat and a bonnet worn by Queen Victoria - the monarchs who established the museum and after whom it is named. So much more than a means of keeping your head dry, this exhibition reveals the hat as both a fashion fixture and a cultural statement. Workshops, talks and lectures run in conjunction with and throughout the exhibition cover all manner of millinery - from a Mad Hatters twist on contemporary hats to a curator's talk by Oriole Cullen. You even get the chance learn basic hat making skills as well as an opportunity to visit Stephen's Covent Garden studio.

More info: Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Henry VIII: Dressed To Kill

Tower Of London, EC3N 4AB
3rd April 2009 - 17th January 2010

With 2009 marking the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII's coronation there are a series of major exhibitions taking place across London this year, two of which open in April. The first of these is at the Tower of London - a significant venue where two of Henry's six wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, were among the religious prisoners held here - both were also beheaded at the Tower. Five complete suits of armour belonging to the king can be seen here in an exhibition appropriately called Dressed To Kill. The expanding sizes of his suits clearly show the growing stature of this legendary ruler - who became larger than life in both reputation and reality. Although opening after Easter (on 23rd April) the second exhibition, at the British Library, is worth noting for future reference. This major exhibition is guest-curated by David Starkey and features historic texts like The Psalter of Henry VIII - Henry's own prayer book, with notes written by the King himself. For additional British Library events that supplement the exhibition go to www.bl.uk/henry. Well known for his multiple marriages, for setting up the Church of England and for the bloody battles he led the country into, King Henry VIII is one of our more colourful monarchs and these two exhibitions are set to give us a better understanding of the man behind the myths.

More info: Henry VIII: Dressed To Kill Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

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