May 2010

We get not one but two Bank Holidays, on 3rd and 31st May, so enjoy your time off in London listening to live music at the Camden Crawl or enjoying al fresco acting at the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park. The earliest May Day celebrations were in honour of Flora, the goddess of flowers, and the fragrant blooms at the Chelsea Flower Show are certainly an apt modern day equivalent.

Camden Crawl 2010

KOKO, London, NW1 7JE
1st & 2nd May 2010

The early May bank holiday means this year the Camden Crawl will take place on Saturday and Sunday as opposed to the traditional Friday and Saturday. The first proper musical festival of the year, the Camden Crawl may be hit-and-miss with the weather - but always delivers with a cutting-edge list of up-and-coming local bands and established stars, performing in just about every important venue in Camden over two nights of music-fuelled abandon. What makes the Crawl 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. The initial line-ups won't be disclosed until early 2010 but expect a slot for exciting local three-piece Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, already firm favourites in KOKO and set to make ripples with a forthcoming debut album.

More info: Camden Crawl 2010 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Vaisakhi on the Square

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS
2nd May 2010

Head down to Trafalgar Square on the Sunday of the first May bank holiday to experience the colourful, culinary and exotic sounding delights of the Sikh New Year Festival. The official date for Vaisakhi is 13th April, but the 2010 Vaisakhi festival in Trafalgar Square will be held on 2nd May. Commemorating 300 years of the consecration of Dri Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru, the Vaisakhi includes performances of traditional music such as Shabad Kirtin (religious hymns), as well as modern Asian music and dance and DJs. Vegetarian food prepared by the Sikh community will be offered during the afternoon. For more information about this free event go to www.london.gov.uk/mayor/vaisakhi.

More info: Vaisakhi on the Square Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Yinka Shonibare: Nelson's Ship in a Bottle

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS
5th May 2010 - 14th January 2012 - TO BE CONFIRMED

Yinka Shonibare has been chosen as the next artist to fill the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square for his proposal to put a replica of Nelson's ship, HMS Victory, in a giant glass bottle on public display. Using brightly coloured 'African' fabric he buys at Brixton market to fashion into the ship's sails, Shonibare sets out to reflect the story of multiculturalism in London today, which began with Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. It's particularly appropriate given that admiral Nelson himself can survey the scene, looking down from his nearby column on the model of the ship on which he died. Shonibare himself was born in London but grew up in Nigeria, returning to Britain when he was 17 and issues of race and class are recurrent themes throughout his work which earnt him a nominated for the Turner Prize in 2004. With this nautical work his message in a bottle is set to reach an even wider audience. The installation of 'Nelson's Ship in a Bottle' by Yinka Shonibare MBE is scheduled for May 2010 until 2012 but the exact dates are yet to be confirmed. DATES TO BE CONFIRMED

More info: Yinka Shonibare: Nelson's Ship in a Bottle Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival

St Paul's Covent Garden, WC2E 9ED
9th May 2010

He may be nearing his 350th birthday but Mr Punch is showing no signs of slowing down. This annual Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival celebrates the red nosed stick-wielding puppet, bringing together dozens of puppeteers in a colourful, highly entertaining afternoon. The Covent Garden location is appropriately close to the spot where Samuel Pepys first sighted Mr Punch on 9th May 1662 and recorded the fact in his diary - which is why the birthday celebrations fall on or near to 9th May. Puppeteers from all over the country are accompanied by folk music, dancers, clowns and jugglers. The day's events start with a toast to Mr Punch, and a brass band led Grand Procession starting at Church Garden, a beautiful little oasis in the city centre. There follows a special church service at St Paul's Church, with a sermon administered by Rev Mark Oakley and Mr Punch himself. An integral part of British heritage, the puppet with attitude is a wonderful, anarchic figure and this is a top traditional family day out. DATE TO BE CONFIRMED

More info: Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Rihanna

The O2 Arena, London, SE10 0BB
10th & 11th May 2010

2009 was a roller-coaster year for Rihanna, starting off with a nasty case of domestic violence but ending on a high with the release of her critically acclaimed album Rated R. She even found time to get a bizarre tattoo on her collar bone, saying the words "never a failure, always a lesson" etched backwards - just in case you catch her in your rear-view mirror. The Barbadian singer, incredibly still only 21, gave British audiences a taste of what to expect at The O2 Arena with a sterling performance of her latest single Russian Roulette on The X Factor in December (despite a rather flat opening sequence and possibly the dodgiest quiff since There's Something About Mary). Expect a lot of material from her new album as well as a medley of her smash hits, including Disturbia, Don't Stop the Music and Umbrella, ella, ella, ah, oh, oh...

More info: Rihanna Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Royal Windsor Horse Show 2010

Windsor Castle, London, SL4 1NJ
12th - 16th May 2010

Founded in 1943 and attended by King George VI, the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor Castle still has strong royal connections and HM Queen Elizabeth II often enters home-bred horses in the event. The Queen, her sister, Princess Anne, and the Duke of Edinburgh have all previously competed. It's the kind of event that makes you feel like you're taking part in a BBC costume drama, as the impeccably aristocratic competitors put their equestrian skills to the test in events including show-jumping, carriage racing, dressage and even polo. The show takes place inside the private grounds of Her Majesty's Windsor residence, a stunning area of parkland and garden. In the evening the castle is floodlit, creating a suitably grandiose backdrop to the competition. The event is finished in style with a fabulous fireworks display above the turrets.

More info: Royal Windsor Horse Show 2010 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

All My Sons

Apollo Theatre, W1D 7EZ
19th May - 11th September 2010

David Suchet, best known for his perfectly neat portrayal of Hercule Poirot in the ITV detective series of the same name, and the wonderful Zoe Wanamaker star in Howard Davies' production of Arthur Miller's World War II drama, All My Sons at the Apollo. We can expect strong performances from such a well known cast, bringing Miller's story of love, corruption and betrayal to its emotional climax. Zoe Wanamaker plays the role of Kate Keller, the mother who refuses to believe one of her sons, a pilot missing in action, is dead. To add to her grief, her dead son's fiancee has transferred her affections to her other son. This is the second time director Howard Davies, lauded as "a master of American realism" by The Guardian who named him top UK director in 2007, he has brought All My Sons to the London stage. In 2000 he staged the play at the National's Cottesloe, transferring to its Lyttleton Theatre in 2001 - the 2000 production resulting in four Oliver awards including best director for Howard. With such stellar actors lined up, we expect to see the magic recreated again.

More info: All My Sons Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Baishakhi Mela

Brick Lane, London, E1 6PU
23rd May 2010

Famous for its curry houses, Brick Lane is the obvious choice of venue to celebrate Baishakhi Mela, the Bengali New Year. In London, you can ring in the changes with a colourful parade, traditional costumes, elephants, tigers and rituals. The festivities for this year's event will take place in Weavers Fields, Allen Gardens and Brick Lane and begin with a parade led by the Tiger Out East, musicians, dancers and local children in dazzling traditional dress. A Bengali tiger, peacock boat, bridal ride, and street entertainers all mingle together, and stages in Allen Gardens, Weavers Fields and along Brick Lane feature literally hundreds of musicians and dancers. You can also sample the famous spicy baltis, birianis and vindaloos from the numerous restaurants and stalls which put Brick Lane on the map.

More info: Baishakhi Mela Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Open Air Theatre

Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4NR
24th May - 11th September 2010

This is the 78th season for the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, and seeing a play here is really an essential part of spending summer in London. The season kicks off with Arthur Miller's classic witch hunt, The Crucible, based on the Salem witchcraft trials in Massachusetts during the 1690s. Shakespeare's plays are always a feature of the Open Air Theatre and, on 24th June, the Bard's Comedy of Errors makes a welcome return to the outdoor stage after a 14 year absence. In July, we have the second installment from Shakespeare with Macbeth, directed by Steve Marmion who recently transferred Rupert Goold's production of the play to Broadway. August and September are devoted to a retelling of the Brothers Grimm, Into The Woods, as Red Riding Hood, Jack of the Beanstalk, Cinderella and Rapunzel are interwoven with the Baker and his Wife, desperate to have children. Comedy by Jack Dee and The Comedy Store Players, with live music from Stacey Kent on 13th June add to a summer of outdoor fun. But no matter how fabulous the performances the biggest draw is the magical setting. The players emerge from the green leafy wings, under a darkening summer sky (you may need to take waterproofs but mainly the show goes on whatever the weather) and twinkling fairy lights, all surrounded by English parkland.

More info: Open Air Theatre Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, SW3 4SR
25th - 29th May 2010

Founded in 1913, the Chelsea Flower Show is an extraordinary event - famous around the world. Eight hundred of the greatest exponents of imaginative garden design spend nearly a month creating a horticultural wonderland over an 11-acre site in Chelsea's Royal Hospital gardens. Most of London society, including the Queen, regards the Chelsea Flower Show as a highpoint of the London summer season, so if you get bored of the blooms you can have a great time celeb-spotting. The 20,000 glasses of Pimm's consumed over the five days confirm it as a very sociable, very British event. This beautiful and inspiring show is a real treat, even for non-gardeners. If you are aiming to visit, please note that the first two days on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th May 2010 are exclusive RHS members-only preview days.

More info: RHS Chelsea Flower Show Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Exposed: Voyeurism, Surveillance And The Camera

Tate Modern, London, SE1 9TG
28th May - 19th September 2010

Over 200 photographic images, from the late nineteenth century to the present day are presented at this Tate Modern exhibition which explores both iconic and taboo subjects including work by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Philip-Lorca diCorcia and Walker Evans. In Exposed: Voyeurism, Surveillance And The Camera themes of eroticism, celebrity and conflict are delved into through photographic images some of which have been taken without the permission of the person depicted. As 24-hour surveillance becomes the norm in the 'big brother' world we live in, with pictures taken surreptitiously on mobile phones and posted on the internet, and celebrities 'papped' while enjoying a private moment, voyeurism and surveillance are hot topics when it comes to photography and privacy.

More info: Exposed: Voyeurism, Surveillance And The Camera Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Rod Stewart

The O2 Arena, London, SE10 0BB
29th May, 1st & 3rd June 2010

Rock and roll legend Rod Stewart returns to the capital with three early summer gigs in The O2 Arena in front, no doubt, of hoards of female fans. Last year, Stewart played just one concert in the UK - in Plymouth, of all places! - so there should be quite an audience for a timeless performer who has sold more than 100m records to date (and probably bedded almost as many women in the process). Both Elton John and James Brown have called Stewart the best white soul singer of all time - and who are we to disagree? With his trademark raspy voice and tight leather pants, expect the evergreen 65-year-old to whizz through his back catalogue of classics, including gems such as Maggie May, Baby Jane, Some Guys Have All The Luck, Young Turks and This Old Heart of Mine. Oh, and the blond crooner has a new album of classic sixties/seventies-era soul favourites to promote.

More info: Rod Stewart Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube