Lewisham Loop - Issue 21 ✨

South East London has apparently declined to pick a lane this weekend. We’ve got paint and printmaking, jazz and garden-fête energy, followed by a couple of Lewisham nights that finish well beyond sensible bedtime. Sunday brings market browsing and a very big singalong. Pace yourself accordingly.

Dust off the sax, trumpet, bass — or vocal cords. The Conservatoire’s adult jazz workshop is a full day of improvising, accompanying, theory and playing together, with inspiration from the likes of Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson and Billie Holiday. It’s aimed at musicians around Grade 5+ level, so this is one for people who already know their way around their instrument.

Book your tickets here to save your spot! Places are priced £78 for the whole day workshop.

The Albany garden is getting the full summer-fête treatment, with DJs, live performances, bingo, food and crafts running through the afternoon. The Majorettes are bringing hula hoops, Just May is on bingo duty, and there’s plenty happening for kids and grown-ups alike.

Entry is free, simply walk around and enjoy the atmosphere! Further details can be found here.

_{Note: Pre-bookable tickets have sold out, but walk-ups are still welcome on a first-come, first-served basis.}

If Saturday afternoon feels far too respectable, Heart of Soul’s Summer Dojo Special takes things firmly into late-night territory at Zhulin Hidden Village. This overnight vinyl party starts at 10pm and keeps going until around 4:30am, with tickets currently starting from £5. Low-cost, high-potential-for-a-late-Sunday-start.

Tickets may be booked via Eventbrite here, and are priced at £10.

Over at the Fox & Firkin, red room and No Brakes are joining forces for a night stretching across Afro and Latin rhythms, UK sounds, club edits, electronic music and faster 160 territory. Shifa Ligero, JVINCENT, ZEE-2 and SAMPII are on selector duties, so expect very little encouragement to stand still.

Tickets are listed at £10 and £12.50, with a £30 group ticket for four also available and can be booked on the Fox & Firkin’s website here.

_{Note: This is an 18+ event}

London City Voices are taking over the Fox & Firkin garden for their annual summer get-together, with performances running from 2pm to 5pm and the party carrying on afterwards. The songbook jumps from Olivia Dean and Alex Warren to Katy Perry, Queen and K-pop — basically, subtle background music this is not.

Check details and book tickets here. Tickets are £15, or £10 for under-12s.

_{Note: The venue is accessible, although wider wheelchairs may need an alternative route into the garden.}

🎨 Impressed by the Impressionists? - Friday 14 August, 9:30am–4:30pm, The Conservatoire. A £78 drop-off art day for ages 5–11, moving from Impressionist-inspired drawing into printmaking. Advance booking essential.

🎭 Performing Arts School (Singing, Drama, Dance) - Friday 14 August, 4:45pm–7:45pm, Corbett Community Library. A performing arts school for a variety of disciplines, every Friday evening. Booking required via email/phone listed in the link.

💪 Power Wave - Saturday 15 August, 9–9:30am, Corbett Community Library. A compact health-and-wellness session for anyone keen to start Saturday feeling suspiciously productive. £9.

🥁 Rhythm & Groove - Saturday 15 August, 12–1pm, Manor House Library. A free percussion workshop for ages 5–10, with instruments, rhythm games and a proper jam session. No booking needed.

🖼️ Family Flip Portraits - Saturday 15 August, 3–6pm, The Conservatoire. A £30-per-person family art class for ages 5+, turning photos, acetate and Sharpies into brilliantly bold portraits. Adults and children each need a ticket.

🥕 Blackheath Farmers’ Market - Sunday 16 August, 10am–2pm, Blackheath Station car park. Free to browse, with fruit and veg, bread, cheese, cakes and plenty of reasons to arrive hungry.

See you next week ~