Looking for the best things to do in Wandsworth this month? Look no further...
1. Cartoon power
Visit the Political Cartoon Gallery for this exhibition of original unpublished cartoons by one of the greatest cartoonist of the 20th Century, Sir David Low. These are cartoons the Evening Standard felt were either too strong or tasteless to publish. David Low was the first cartoonists to receive a contract giving him a completely free hand, but the realities of Fleet Street often curtailed that and the exhibition is accompanied by the publication of a fully illustrated book on the subject, Censored.
2. Open Garden Squares Weekend
More than 200 gardens and hidden green spaces unlock their gates to take part in this annual event, which spans across the city. Local gems include the grounds of Putney’s Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, which Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and esteemed landscape gardener Humphrey Repton.
3. London’s Rare Book Fair
Actor, writer and rare book collector Stephen Fry will open The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association’s (ABA) annual flagship event, Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair on Friday, June 7 at noon. This Battersea Park event is one of the world’s largest independent marketplaces for rare and out-of-print books with more than 150 exhibitors offering unique and unusual works including signed first editions, maps, manuscripts, art and ephemera.
4. Live at the Bandstand
Pull up a deckchair for this month’s free afternoon concerts (12-5pm) at Clapham Common’s iconic Victorian bandstand.
June 9: 17-piece Latin and swing stars Kix Big Band with singer Kate Daniels
June 22: Real Voices contemporary choir
June 29: Los Domingos, an energetic and diverse London band playing Afro Cuban salsa, mambo and cha-cha-cha classics
June 30: Lambeth Wind Orchestra, a 40-piece community wind band
5. Othello: Remixed
This inventive adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic by Intermission Theatre is set in a modern day boxing ring, where the themes of love, jealousy, friendship, knife crime and turf rivalry are as relevant today as 400 years ago.
6. Great Exhibition Road Science Festival
This new three-day celebration of art and science in South Kensington is a collaboration between 19 cultural institutions including Imperial College London, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the V&A and the Royal Albert Hall. Workshops, talks, exhibitions and performances – all in the spirit of the Great Exhibition of 1851.
7. World Naked Bike Ride
This popular, peaceful protest against car culture is designed to demonstrate the vulnerability of cyclists. It also aims to obtain real rights for cyclists, protest against the global dependency on oil and celebrate body freedom. It’s free to participate and you can join the ride at various points across London, including at Clapham Junction, Kew Bridge and Regent’s Park.
8. Wake up to Organic
On June 12, independent retailers across the UK will be dishing up free mini breakfasts as part of Organic UK’s annual #WakeUpToOrganic event. Pop into one of these participating stores to find out how easy it is to make the switch to organic:
• Apples & Bees, 258 Battersea Park Road, Battersea, SW11 3BP
• As Nature Intended,186-188 Balham High Road, SW12 9BP
• Revital, 75 Putney High St, Putney, London SW15 1SR
• The Hungry Bedouin, Wandsworth, SW18 4TQ
• Amrutha Lounge, 326 Garrett Lane, Earlsfield, SW18 4EJ
9. Shakespeare in the Squares
This fantastic venture to stage Shakespeare’s plays in London’s Garden Squares comes to Wandsworth next month with two performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the secret garden of the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, Wandsworth Common. Set up in 2016, the not-for-profit touring company tailors the production to individual gardens and its shows have proved immensely popular. Last year’s tour of As You Like It (below) was a sell-out – so book early!
10. Lighting the way
Don’t miss your chance to catch up-and-coming local performer Jordan Castle in the award-winning musical The Light in the Piazza, which heads to the South Bank’s Royal Festival Hall this month, following a triumphant run in New York.
Jordan, a former pupil of St Cecelia’s, Southfields, is delighted to be appearing in the show which stars renowned soprano Renee Fleming and Disney favourite Dove Cameron.
“It’s such a wonderful musical and I am thrilled to be part of it,” says Jordan. “I have sat in the audience of the Royal Festival Hall and I can’t believe I will actually be on the stage.”
Set amid the sun-drenched piazzas of Florence, Jordan says its arrival in London couldn’t be more timely. “It’s got such a romantic, warm summery feel to it. I can’t wait to get started."
11. Balham Literary Festival
This fantastic celebration of books and authors returns for a fourth year with a host of talks and events at a variety of locations such as Balham Bowls Club, Balham Library, Balham Oxfam Bookshop and for the first time, St Nicholas’ Church in Tooting.
Speakers include the philosopher AC Grayling, award-winning author Max Porter and nurses Molly Case (above) and Christie Watson who have written movingly of their hospital experiences. In addition, there’s a host of local authors and celebrities including Sara Collins and Bernardine Evaristo, family-focused events with children’s authors, an introduction to the London vegan scene with Rachel Ama and a discussion on Women in Parliament with MP Rachel Reeves.
