Read all a-boat it! Windrush 75 events for families

Happy Friday! How are we coping in the heat?

Thankfully there was ample shade at Petworth when we checked out their new art-themed Elmer trail. We timed our visit perfectly - with bubbles, garden games and space hoppers, crafts, drop-in watercolour stations and live music, their Community Day was a fun but relaxed Sunday.

Inside the air-conditioned National Archives, I discovered a full-sized see-saw to play on in Spirit of Invention, as well as a whole room of hands-on activities for kids.

The dark, epic jumble which is Anselm Kiefer: Finnegans Wake at The White Cube Bermondsey left me breathless and overawed. Barbed wire and curious fingers don’t really mix, so, if you can, leave the little ones at home.

Capturing the Moment at Tate Modern doesn’t really explore the relationship between photography and painting in any great depth. However, there’s some fantastic works by artists famous and emerging, in a bite-size show.

And we announced my latest project - The Exhibitionists Podcast with Catherine from Cultural Wednesday! Expect culture, travel and chat from us cultural fiends. The first episode on the best summer exhibitions is coming later this month, and you can follow us for more updates.

Also over on Instagram, I shared Reels from our visit to Harlech Castle and our sleepover at British Museum.


I'd love to hear what you've been up to - hit reply, post in my Facebook group or DM me on Instagram.

Windrush 75 with kids

Celebrate 75 years since the Empire Windrush's arrival in Britain with one of these child-friendly events.

1. Step back in time in The Caribbean Front Room – Stories from Windrush and Beyond at Camden Black British History community hub. Until 28 July, free.

2. Enjoy steel band music, learn Caribbean dance moves, write songs and more in Wings and Waves: Windrush 75 Family Day at RAF Museum London. 17 June, free.

3. Join Sandra Agard at Bexley Libraries for three interactive storytelling sessions featuring tales from the Windrush Story
   Windrush Tales. 17 June 2023, free.

4. Get immersed in Caribbean stories peppered with memories from the Windrush generation in Families Storytelling: Caribbean Tales at V&A Museum (17 May, free). Also at the V&A, create wall art inspired by Caribbean culture in Drop-in Design: Celebration Wall Art (18 June, free).

5. There's two free Windrush festivals in Waltham Forest. Windrush Community Festival is hosted by Emmanuel Community School (17 June). Waltham Forest Windrush Festival has food and craft stalls, music and dance performances, workshops and family friendly activities (24 June).

6. See Windrush Memories of Arrival take over the world-famous Piccadilly Circus lights. Presented by CIRCA in collaboration with Black Cultural Archives. 22 June 2023, 20:00-20:30. Free.

7. With a sprinkle of sunshine and a dash of sea breeze, join Wendy Shearer for some very special stories in Family Workshop: Windrush 75 Storytelling at the British Library. 23 June, free.

8. Take vocal workshops with Hamilton’s Sharon Rose in The Spirit of Windrush family festival at National Maritime Museum. Plus music and spoken word performances, Calypso dancing, dominoes matches, Windrush flag-making and much more. 24 June 2023, free.

9. Get up close and handle objects found in a living room in the 1940s and 1950s in The Windrush Front Room at Horniman Museum. 24 June 2023. Free, drop in.

10. Expect a wild and wonderful family party in Windrush 75 BLOCK PARTY at Bernie Grant Arts Centre. Featuring live-music, spoken word, arts & crafts, pop up stalls and workshops. 24 June, paid.

11. Design your own Caribbean themed t-shirt in Windrush 75 t-shirt spray painting workshops at Bruce Castle Museum. Plus make vintage hats, taste Caribbean food, share memories, play games, music and storytelling. Free, book. 24 June 2023.

12. Open Sunday: Windrush 75 at Pitzhanger is a family celebration of Caribbean culture in Britain with storytelling and an art drop-in workshop. 25 June, free.

Weekend activities: 17-18 June 2023

Want even more ideas for the weekend? All the events listed below are either drop in or still have places left to book. Click the links for exact timings and any booking information.

1. Join a celebration of science and the arts at Great Exhibition Road Festival in South Kensington. 17-18 June, free.

2. Enjoy performances from London’s most celebrated musicals in West End Live, Trafalgar Square. 17-18 June, free.

3. Apsley House brings the Battle of Waterloo to life in Waterloo Weekend. 17-18 June 2023, paid.

4. Squish Space at Barbican. 17-18 June, free. Under 5s and their families.

5. Rhythm and Beats Workshop at National Theatre’s River Stage. 17 June, free. Plus free dance performances all weekend.

6. Family workshop: design and paint mini garments with Woo Jin Joo at Bow Arts. 17 June, free.

7. Create fantastical beasts in Animal Inventions with Lucia Vinti: Family Workshop at University College London. 17 June. Free, book.

8. Be inspired by Mother Art Prize in Families Create workshop at Zabludowicz Collection, NW5. 17 June, free.

9. Ravenswood Family Day at Mother's Ruin Gin Palace, E17. 17 June, free.

10. Family Yoga under Gaia at Landmark Arts Centre. 18 June, paid.

11. Bake and Take soda biscuits at Jewish Museum London. 18 June, paid.

12. Horrible Histories meets Monty Python in Dodo Dramatics’ Queen of the East in Putney. 18 June, paid.

13. Making fabulous masks then parade the streets in Carnival Crafternoon, Staffordshire Street SE15. 18 June, free.

    
    

Have a fantastic weekend! And Happy Father’s Day, to those of you marking the day. Let me know what you get up to - please tag me in your cultural adventures.

Until next time,

If this email lands in your promotions tab inbox, drag it to the primary inbox so you don't miss any updates!