SW18 Area Guide

Shakespeare in the Squares will be back this summer to celebrate their eighth anniversary with a new production of The Taming of the Shrew, a battle of wits, wills and wild romance complete with toe-tapping pop classics. Shakespeare in the Squares is a not-for-profit touring theatre company that stages a new Shakespeare play across London for one night in each venue every summer. This years programme features 34 performances across 28 beautiful London locations. The tour kicks off on Wednesday 4th June in Leinster Square, W2, and concludes over five weeks later in The Actors Church Garden, WC2. Press night is scheduled for Wednesday 11th June at Cleveland Square, W2. Shakespeare in the Squares is a cornerstone of Londons summer cultural calendar, renowned for tailoring each performance to the individual venue, providing the audience with a truly unique show every time.

Two of comedy's most exciting voices present brand new shows before they take them out on tour, and all in an intimate room above a lovely pub in Wandsworth town. Starring the icon with a tele career spanning from Netflix to Have I Got News for You to Sky Sports - CHLOE PETTS! With support from the co-host of the brilliant Queers Gone By podcast ("utterly hilarious" - the Guardian) and LGTBQ+ New Comedian of the Year finalist CAITLIN POWELL. Catch them before they go and play the Palladium or something, for just a fraction of the price. Presented by Objectively Funny, “the art form’s cutting edge” (Guardian). Presented by Objectively Funny. This is an 18+ event

OOTFest25 (UN)SEEN blurs boundaries and mixes realities, merges dimensions and plays with perception, shifting the dynamic between artist and audience. This live-hybrid festival showcases courageous and creative performing artists working in mixed realities, who will invite you into unchartered new worlds via digital-immersive technologies. It celebrates artists who take risks, embrace uncertainty and push the boundaries of what’s possible- brought to you by IJAD Dance Company Experience live/hybrid performances, workshops, expert panel discussions and installations in-person at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London, or from anywhere in the world through our multi-camera, interactive livestream. This live hybrid festival showcases performances that will present you with a momentous merging of realities in multiple dimensions... live hybrid performances that will challenge your perceptions and rock your expectations interactive installations where you can immerse yourself and play in VR expert panel discussions around the intersections of emerging tech and performing arts will open your mind artist workshops to experience ways to integrate tech into your artform - or offer new skills A full-day Innovation Lab focused on AI and arts, with expert speakers, demonstrations and discussions.

Andrew Garrido, from South London, started his musical journey on a keyboard drawn onto sheets of paper. Graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2022, he has since become a pianist known for his sensitivity, imagination, and control of tone. Andrew will perform a varied programme of favourite repertoire for solo piano by four of classical music's most iconic composers. Refreshments will be served during the interval. Programme: F Liszt Sposalizio, from Deuxime Anne de Plerinage: Italie E Grieg Sonata in E minor, Op 7 Interval F Schubert Impromptu in G-Flat major, D 899 No 3 Impromptu in A-Flat minor, D 899 No 4 G Faur Nocturne in D-Flat major, Op 63 Barcarolle in F-Sharp minor, Op 66 Biography: Andrew began learning the piano at the late age of eleven; lacking funds to afford lessons or an instrument, he drew a keyboard onto paper and learnt from YouTube for six months before his first piano lesson. Andrew progressed rapidly, and his story has been celebrated in the Guardian and across the BBC. He began study with Danielle Salamon upon his entrance to the prestigious Purcell School only five years later in 2015, where he was awarded the Senior Piano Prize and Senior Academic Music Prize in 2017. Andrew obtained a Licentiate of Trinity College London (LTCL) that August. Andrew enrolled at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in September 2017, having been awarded a scholarship. He studied with acclaimed pianist Charles Owen, obtaining a Master of Music with Distinction in 2022. He made his concerto debut in 2018, which epitomised both perfect classical style and brilliantly energetic invention; such a balance is a rare, magic quality found in only the finest musicians, as described by the ensembles director. Andrew has also benefitted from work with Dmitri Alexeev, Iain Burnside, Marc Corbett-Weaver, Justas Dvarionas, William Fong, Natasa Lipovsek, Robert Markham, Noriko Ogawa, Fali Pavri, Jonathan Plowright, Paul Roberts and Aaron Shorr. Andrew now performs across London and the UK, in both a solo and ensemble capacity. He has performed at such venues as the Fazioli Concert Hall in Italy, Milton Court, Dukes Hall, Sinfonia Smith Square, Shoreditch Treehouse, and Abbey Road Studios, as well as a number of cathedrals and churches across the country. Andrew is proud to offer piano lessons and a range of other musical tuition. He also enjoys his work as a composer and choir director, and he continues to seek out new ways to be involved in music, such as cross-arts and multimedia projects. andrewgarrido.com

Lia Kali is coming to LONDON for her debut show... Lia Kali first discovered music at home and when she was just sixteen she rode her bike over all the jams in Barcelona. It’s in the jams where she made friends with many musicians and artists of the city and where she dialogues with reggae, jazz, soul and rap. Since then she has never stopped singing. With notable shows at Spain’s top festivals such as Viña Rock, La Mar de Músicas or Cruilla, as well as sold-out nights on Spanish main cities’ venues and first appearances in Colombia, Mexico, USA, France, Germany and Portugal, the singer finally makes the short trip to London for a BIG show. Presented by Hootananny Brixton. This is an 18+ event

Suitable for Reception Years 1 & 2 Come and join award winning bestselling author Caryl Hart for this fun-filled prehistoric adventure to Meet the Dinosaurs! Get ready to meet all the friendly (and not so friendly!) dinosaurs from the huge Brontosaurus and amazing Diplodocus to the speedy Velociraptor. Talk to the scary T-Rex! Join her for this fact-packed read and sing along event with lots of chances to join in! www.carylhart.com [https://carylhart.com/] Duration: One hour Booklist:Meet the Dinosaurs Part of the London Primary Schools Programme. For more information go to www.barneskidslitfest.org/schools [https://www.barneskidslitfest.org/schools/]