October 2010

October and the ghouls and spooks come out for Halloween on 31st of the month. It's also the time when the annual Frieze art extravaganza comes to Regent's Park and there are always several spin-off shows and top class exhibitions to cater for the visiting art enthusiasts.

The Big Draw

Various venues across London
1st - 31st October 2010

The Big Draw takes place nationwide throughout the month of October and many of London's musuems, galleries, schools and art clubs take part. This splendid month-long event has simply one objective - to get everyone scribbling. It's organised by the Campaign for Drawing which 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. Big Draw supporter Quentin Blake is often among the illustrators, authors and performers promoting drawing, storytelling and some very big pictures. This is a fun, free family event that's sure to get even the most reluctant artist putting pen to paper. With places like the Wellcome Collection, the British Library and Discover children's centre hosting special activities there's sure to be something going on in your area, check the website www.campaignfordrawing.org for details.

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

Diwali on the Square

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS
3rd October 2010 - TO BE CONFIRMED

Known as the festival of lights, Diwali has religious significance for Hindus, Sikhs and Jains and is celebrated by many of the capital's South Asian communities. Diwali on the Square gives Londoners a chance to come together and celebrate at a free concert with backing from the Mayor's office. This annually occuring event in Trafalgar Square has become a major fixture in London's calendar with colourful decorations, Indian music and theatrical displays all adding to the sense of occasion. Contemporary and traditional dances including the energetic Garba and Dandia are traditionally performed to celebrate Diwali and people of all faiths are welcome at this celebration of the victory of light over darkness.

DATE TO BE CONFIRMED

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

Turner Prize 2010

Tate Britain, SW1P 4RG
5th October 2010 - 2nd January 2011

Set up in 1984, the Tate's Turner Prize has been courting controversy ever since. The most notorious prize in the world of contemporary art, it carries a large cash prize and instant fame for the winner who must be a British artist under fifty and for a work completed within the year. The shortlist always seems to feature conceptual art of the most difficult-to-understand sort. But despite the uproar from stuffier elements in the tabloids, this show is always great fun. Recent winners have included Damien Hirst, Gillian Wearing, Grayson Perry and, last year, Richard Wright joined the illustrious list. A must for lovers of contemporary art.

More info: Turner Prize 2010 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The Times BFI 54th London Film Festival

Various venues across London
13th - 28th October 2010 - TO BE CONFIRMED

Every October the BFI Southbank and cinemas across London host the London Film Festival, now in its 54th year the festival attracts 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. While details of this year's festival have yet to be announced for the past six year there has been an outdoor screening in Trafalgar Square with free viewings of short films. During the festival's 16 days the city is positively abuzz with talk of the silver screen and any film fan is sure to find several films and events to entice them in its rich and varied programme. Consecutive years of unprecedented success have made this a key event on the celluloid calendar.

DATE TO BE CONFIRMED

More info: The Times BFI 54th London Film Festival Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Move: Art and Dance Since the Sixties

The Hayward Gallery, London, SE1 8XZ
13th October 2010 - 9th January 2011

The Hayward Gallery blurs the boundaries between art and dance with their exhibition, Move: Art and Dance Since the Sixties, a major show which examines the interaction between visual arts and dance from the 1960s to the present day. Given the nature of dance, it's only natural that the exhibition stretches beyond the gallery's four walls, with dance performances taking place across the Southbank Centre site. Inside, there are new commissions by leading international artists and choreographers including American dancer and choreographer William Forsyth, Maria 'La Ribot' whose dance pieces defy definition, and filmmaker and artist Isaac Julien. Winning an award at the Cannes Film Festival and nominated for the Turner Prize in 2001, Julien's work crosses artistic disciplines, from film to photography, dance to music, theatre, painting and sculpture. Alongside new commissions by leading international artists are reconstructions of seminal works spanning the last 50 years including installations by Robert Morris, and Brazilian artist Lygia Clark whose works are best seen as a multisensory experience.

More info: Move: Art and Dance Since the Sixties Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Venice: Canaletto and his Rivals

National Gallery, WC2N 5DN
13th October 2010 - 16th January 2011

Canaletto, the Venetian painter famous for his landscapes, or vedute, of Venice, is the star of the National Gallery's display of Venetian views, Venice: Canaletto and His Rivals. Bringing together some of Canaletto's greatest masterpieces, and juxtaposing them with those of his rivals, this major exhibition features around 55 paintings highlighting the huge apetite for the subject in the 18th century. Well known paintings like Canaletto's views of 'The Riva degli Schiavoni, looking West' are compared to the works of Luca Carlevarijs, Gaspar van Witell, Michele Marieschi, Bernardo Bellotto, and Francesco Guardi. By contrasting how the different artists portrayed the same, or similar, views of the city - the Grand Canal and the Doge's Palace - the exhibition demonstrates the rich variety of stylistic approaches, all dated within the same 100-year period. Considering this was a trend was largely driven by the tastes of British collectors during their Grand Tour, it's surprising that this is the first exhibition to focus on the subject to be held in the UK.

More info: Venice: Canaletto and his Rivals Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Frieze Art Fair

Regent's Park, London, NW1 4NR
14th - 17th October 2010

As the country's leading contemporary art fair, the Frieze Art Fair is far from conventional and there's always the possibility of stumbling across something extraordinary. And with Frieze the world's most influential art buyers arrive in Regent's Park. Specially commissioned art works are exhibited alongside curated exhibitions as well as the pieces for sale presented by 150 of the most highly respected contemporary art galleries in the world. Among the paintings and installations in Regent's Park there's an amazing jumble of the comical, the beautiful and the shocking. You can expect short films, talks and site-specific projects all presented in a slightly chaotic atmosphere. It's packed into a single temporary structure in the park with work by around 1,000 contemporary artists on display. There's an incredible wealth of art on display - and the incredibly wealthy come to buy it.

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

Metro Ski and Snowboard Show

Olympia, London, W14 8UX
20th October 2010 - 24th October 2010

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 the Metro Ski & Snowboard Show which turns the Olympia into a giant snow dome. Celebrating its 38th year at the cutting-edge of the snow-sports 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, this is a mammoth event. As well as the chance to buy all the latest gear and clothes, there are bargain ski trips and, centre stage, is the main slope - where expert skiers perform and compete. It's great spectator sport. Take the kids along - anyone under eleven goes free and there is also a creche, ice rink and husky dogs to keep your mini winter sports enthusiasts occupied. 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. Truly the best way to kick-start the season.

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

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD
29th October 2010 - 24th April 2011 - TO BE CONFIRMED

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. In this unique exhibition you'll see new perspectives on familiar creatures mix with quirky corners of nature, while tragic shots of ruined landscapes provide a contrast with cute and cuddly close-ups. 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 30,000 entries from a global pool for their composition and originality. The photos are, by turns, touching, inspiring, educational and tragic, but all of them provide an insight into a magical natural world. This is a stunning exhibition.

DATE TO BE CONFIRMED

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010 - Information

The Yoga Show

Olympia, London, W14 8UX
29th - 31st October 2010

There is a bewildering variety of yoga disciplines covered at The Yoga Show, from gentle meditation techniques to tie-yourself-in-knots gymnastic contortions. As well as yoga sessions there are Ayurvedic therapies, dietary advice and 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 and 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 and calming break from the bustling city.

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

Halloween

Various venues across London
Sunday 31st October 2010

The fright fest of Halloween promises a gathering of ghouls and ghosts, witches and warlocks on the streets of London as people dress up and go trick-or-treating on the spookiest night of the year. Fake blood and fancy dress are traditional ways to celebrate but there are loads of spooky goings on for Halloween. Take the London Ghost Festival, for example - a whole week of special events organised by London Paranormal which include a late night opening at the London Dungeon and ghost walks around Smithfields meat market, culminating in a Halloween Ball. You can also sign up for special ghost tours of Hampton Court Palace, or head to Thorpe Park for a thriller of a white knuckle ride when the theme park stays open late and puts on some freakish entertainment. There will be a full feature on all the options nearer the time but for a taster of what to expect you can read our Halloween 2009 feature.

Halloween - Information