Strictly Rivoli

Chris writes:

In the next of the National Trust's London Lates, the Rivoli Ballroom in South London will play host to an immersive film experience inspired by Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom, presented by the London Project and Hacked Off Films.

For one night only you can live your ballroom dream.  A flamenco guitarist and a dance coach will get you in the mood before ‘Scott’ dances past recalling Strictly Ballroom’s much loved Paso Doble scenes. This is a unique opportunity to waltz beneath the chandeliers, Chinese lanterns and glitter balls in the plush red velvet interiors of the Rivoli.

Hacked Off Films and the London Project will also be presenting a full screening of Strictly Ballroom. Dance yourself silly at the Strictly Ballroom disco with recognisable tracks from the film and more classic dance numbers. There are many more surprises in store on the night at this Strictly Ballroom extravaganza.

Tickets are available from www.nationaltrust.org.uk/london: £26 (£20 for students)

Freetime at The Ivy House

Hatty writes:

We are putting on a Dino Collective night at the Ivy House on Friday 22nd November called Freetime. We will be playing real authentic vinyl which is even older than we are, alongside digital files on spangly modern devices.

Joining us in our musical endeavours are Lisa Louder and DJ Kamakiri, which means that none of us will know quite what to expect musically. But it should be fun. Full details on the attached flyer. We'll basically be there from 8 till late playing good music and you don't have to pay to get in. There is even sound proofing, which is music to our ears!

Winter Warmer Supper Club, November 8th

New venue No57 Loampit Hill is already getting interesting

Day of the Dead Late, at the Horniman

Thursday 7 November, 6-9pm 
The Horniman’s next after-hours party for adults, Day of the Dead Late, is inspired by the annual Mexican festival. Follow a procession of fluorescent skeletons and Mexican musicians through the galleries, dance with a giant skeleton, experience a magical puppet performance with Theatre of Dolls, join in a Day of the Dead party with DJ Stylus in the Conservatory, discover fascinating skeleton facts, and enjoy short films. Food and bar open including Mexican street food and Day of the Dead cocktails.

Find out more about Day of the Dead Late at http://www.horniman.ac.uk/visit/events/day-of-the-dead-late. Tickets are £3. Over-18s only due to the nature of the events.

Puss in Boots, December 5th-7th

Sanjit writes:

Our handsome hero wins the hand in marriage of a petulant Princess. But that’s not the only story in our production of Puss in Boots. There’s a lot else to thrill and bamboozle as unhinged shenanigans abound featuring preening Pusses, odious Ogres, Dames in distress, morose Monarchs, wily Wizards, flatulent Fairies and much more.

Our story was written by a local writer, is set in and around our part of South East London and draws a talented cast from the community. All proceeds of this rambunctious Panto go to good causes - Telegraph Hill Centre and Bold Vision.

Puss in Boots plays from 5 – 7 December, with two shows on Saturday 7 December at 3.30 and 7.30pm. Tickets are £12 / £6. There will be tea, cakes and a bar too, so come on down.

BOOK NOW: http://thc.ticketsource.co.uk

Talk to Me

Talk to Me is a group that has taken it upon itself to encourage Londoners to talk to one another, which would at least neutralise northerners' main line of attack against that London (guess what: we have busy, interesting lives, we don't need to talk to one another on the tube). Anyway, this weekend, they plan to convert some New Cross bus stops into "talk stops". They say:

Talk Stop Challenge Time: 1-5pm 
Location: Bus stops on New Cross Road 

We'll be rebranding rebranding several bus stops in central New Cross into ‘talk stops' during Talk to me SE London week! Talk Stops will be created by Patricio Forrestor, SERFs, Emily Gardner, Nicky Donald, John Reed, Loraine Smith, Sylvia Dos Santos and Dani from Prangsta.

Visit the site for more details.

Makers Market

Christmas market 14th-15th December at No.57 (57 Loampit Hill, SE13 7SZ)

Charlie writes: Hello all you talented makers! Would you like to sell your handicrafts? We are going to hold a Christmas market at No.57, a new creative space on Loampit Hill, on 14th-15th December 2013 and have a few spaces still available if you would like to sell your handmade wares.

Let's see if the good folk of Brockley can do their Christmas shopping locally this year. If you're interested, we'd love to hear from you - 07599988004 or email info@57arts.co.uk for more details.

Rivoli Disco

Casanova Frankenstein: It must have been hard for you, Tony, the way times and styles have changed... hearing the people say that disco is dead...
- Mystery Men

Myatt Garden Table Top Sale, November 10th

Day of the Dead Silent Disco

Gill writes:

Friday 1 November 2013 is Mexican Day of the Dead. To celebrate the Hill Station Café will be transformed into a Fabulously Fluorescent, Luminously Lovely, Ultra Violet, Psychedelic Silent Disco. Don’t miss out! Strut your stuff at the only Mexican Day of the Dead Silent Disco in town!! Tickets £15.00 in advance from here.

Your ticket includes: Wireless headphones – tune in & turn on Competing DJ’s – wig out to your fave raves Free Deadly Cocktail – there’ll be blood on the dance floor! Entry into Special Day of the Dead raffle Prizes for best dressed Senor and Senorita. A top line-up of local DJ’s will keep your feet firmly on the dance floor with a selection of the best banging party tunes, decadent disco hits and old-skool hedonism.

It’s a fancy dress thing - the more skulls the merrier (but of course you don't have to). Proceeds go towards funding the New Cross & Deptford free film festival 2014.

Kitchen54

Kitchen54 is a pop-up diner appearing somewhere in New Cross on Thursday. They say it will be:

"Inspired by the classic favourites of The Americas and Caribbean, Kitchen54 takes the best bits and serves them to you. Real southern style BBQ, Creole Gumbos, Cornbread and our Grandma’s style doggie bags to take home."

Details and tickets available here.

Books! Books! And additional books!

This poster contains more words than any of the books on sale

The Hilly Fields Green Fair

The most Brockley event ever

The Greenwich Comedy Festival 2013

This year's Greenwich Comedy Festival, switched from summer to autumn, will include venues across the borough, including the Greenwich Picturehouse and Woolwich's Big Screen.

Greenwich Theatre will host Richard Herring, Aisling Bea, Pete Firman, David O'Doherty and Alexie Sayle. The Sunday Special night at Up The Creek Comedy Club will turn into an 'all dayer’ event on Sunday 3rd with comedians including Seann Walsh, Mark Watson and Holly Walsh. COMEDY 4 KIDS will stage 'comedy without the rude bits' at Greenwich Theatre and The Tramshed in Woolwich.

The Monster Comedy Shed will be rocking up in Greenwich Market and legendary grump Arthur Smith will be embarking on a humorous tour of some of Greenwich's most iconic sights in his much anticipated ‘Alternative Greenwich Tour’.

The Telegraph Hill Christmas Market, 23rd November

The Horrifying Halloween Quiz

Claire writes:

On Thursday 31st October, my friend Paul and I will be hosting a pub quiz upstairs at The Talbot pub in aid of my sister's charity Social Arts for Education. As long-time pub quiz fans, Paul and I plan to put on something really special, with horror-themed rounds, spooky atmospherics and the option to dress up if you fancy it. We're encouraging people to form teams of 6. Space will be limited so it's best to email me on so.below@gmail.com to reserve a table.

A little info on SAFE: Social Arts for Education is an alternative educational provision that supports the study of home-schooled children who cannot cope in school. The students range in age from 10 to 13, but they are able to teach children from the age of 8 up to 16.

My sister Annabel, a single mother of two kids, struggled to get a statement of special education needs for her son, who has been diagnosed with ASD from quite a young age. This meant he could not obtain a place at a special education school in the Bexley borough. However, being 'different' to other kids, he was bullied quite badly at his mainstream school. Annabel began home-schooling him, then also took on another young girl who was facing similar problems. Last year, having been contacted by many parents, she took on premises in Eltham, where her provision has blossomed into a centre where kids can learn confidence and social skills, and be tutored in a range of subjects.

SAFE is a much needed facility (particularly given council cuts of funds for statements), but it needs all the help it can financially. If the quiz goes well, I'd love to be able to find a regular venue for it.

The Number 82 Film Club, at Number 240

Gospel to Garage - Black History Month

The New Cross People's Library is celebrating Black History Month with two new exhibitions at New Cross Learning, 283-285 New Cross Road (opening hours - Tuesday, 10am-5pm,  Weds 10am-7pm, Thurs 10am-7pm, Sat, 10am-5pm). They say:

The Black Panther Newspaper 3-28 October 2013 - This small exhibition contains rare and original Black Panther Newspapers from 1969-71. Supervised readings are available upon request but you will need to wear gloves!

Gospel to Garage 3-28 October 2013 - A new artwork by N. Kidd and Rosanna Mary Thompson, specially commissioned by NXL. This huge work takes a retrospective look at the importance and influence of black music in the Western world in the 20th century – as well as our entire exhibition space!

The Ladywell Discount Day - Saturday, 12th October

El of El's Kitchen in Ladywell writes:

The Ladywell traders have come together to help drive footfall back to our shopping parade by holding Ladywell Discount Day on Saturday 12th October. There will be special offers, great discounts and bargains galore in anticipation of Ladywell Road being re-opened. Come and support your local businesses and bag yourselves a bargain – look out for the red posters at participating stores!

Many thanks to BC readers who responded when they heard about the plight of the Ladywell traders – we really appreciate the show of support you have given us.

Fork, Cork and Talk

Via the New Cross forum comes the news that to celebrate their newly-refurbished function room, The Telegraph at the Earl of Derby (is there a more cumbersome pub name?) is launching a new dining event.