Lewisham Loop - Issue 26 ✨

Bank Holiday Monday is doing a fair bit of the heavy lifting this week, with vintage treasure hunting in Beckenham and a free community fete in Deptford. Then September gets going with comedy, dance, a buggy-friendly Hilly Fields ramble and Brazilian rhythms in Lewisham. Not bad for four days, really.

More than 50 vintage traders are taking over Beckenham Place Mansion and its grounds, with mid-century furniture, ceramics, prints, records, books, fashion and plenty more to rummage through. There’s street food, coffee and open artist studios too, so your “quick browse” may require a generous definition of quick.

Entry is free, the ground floor has step-free access, and dogs are welcome indoors - full details and directions can be found here!

The Barawak Centre is turning Monday afternoon into a proper community get-together, with entertainment, food, family fun and a market showcasing local makers, artists and small businesses.

Entry is free, making this a particularly easy one to add to the day. View more details, and learn about the Barawak organisation here.

September begins with stand-up at the Fox & Firkin, with Ali Woods, Johnny CT, Clare Haus and Sarah Evans on the bill, a special guest still TBC and Sion James hosting. It’s also the last Firkin Hilarious Comedy of the year, which feels like a perfectly respectable reason to stay out on a Tuesday.

Tickets run from £5 to £15 and can be found on the Fox & Firkin’s website here, along with the full lineup.

_{Note: This event is 18+}

This free DCWUK session mixes hip hop and street dance training with practical creative-industry mentorship. Alongside freestyle and choreography, there’s guidance on portfolios, clients, invoicing and working for yourself — invaluable details if dance is more than just a hobby. It’s open to all ages and aimed at Lewisham and Southwark residents.

More details about the programme can be found here, and read more about DCWUK here!

Pregnant women and new mums can join this free weekly Hilly Fields walk for gentle exercise and a bit of local company. Babies and young children are welcome, buggies and slings are fine, and there’s tea or coffee afterwards. It carries on rain or shine, which is reassuringly realistic for September.

No booking needed — just meet at the café and come dressed for the weather! Details can be found here.

Brazilian guitarist and singer Mario Bakuna brings his band to the Fox & Firkin for a set moving through samba, bossa nova, forró, baião and more. The programme reworks music by Brazilian greats including Gilberto Gil, Djavan and João Bosco — a rather good way to send Thursday in a more rhythmic direction.

Tickets are priced from £10–£14 and can be booked from here.

💼 Employability Support - Tuesday 1 September, 9am–1pm at Corbett Community Library. Free practical job-search support, with appointments (made by calling 020 8378 5358) through the morning and a drop-in slot from 12:30pm.

🎲 Board Games Night - Tuesday 1 September, 4–7pm at Deptford Lounge. A relaxed all-ages session for anyone who fancies some tabletop competition without having to organise the group chat first. Under-12s need an adult.

📚 Sydenham Book Group - Tuesday 1 September, 5–6pm at Sydenham Community Library. A low-key monthly book chat for anyone who likes a good read and an equally good natter.

🧸 Under 5s Rhymes and Stories - Wednesday 2 September, 10:30–11am at Catford Library. Songs, rhymes and stories for under-fives, with no booking admin required. Children need to stay supervised.

📖 Blackheath Reading Group - Thursday 3 September, 6–7pm at Manor House Community Library. Pick up the book from the library, then come along for an informal monthly discussion. No sign-up needed.

See you next week ~